Over 50% of pregnant women will suffer from morning sickness during their first weeks of pregnancy. Some may only have nausea while others will never be far from the nearest bathroom. Morning sickness can at best be an inconvenience and for the unfortunate few it can severely disrupt their day to day activities. Luckily, it usually disappears by the second trimester leaving women to enjoy the rest of their pregnancy without any sickness.

Is Morning Sickness Harmful?

In rare cases severe or prolonged morning sickness may indicate that there is a more serious underlying problem called hyperemesis gravidarum which will need medical attention and possibly hospitalization. If you experience severe and repeated vomiting or nausea, loss of weight instead of weight gain and sickness that lasts beyond the first three months, you should consult your obstetrician immediately. Most likely you will just be one of the unlucky few that has a severe case of morning sickness which will eventually pass but it is always best to check.

You can also try some of the methods below to get some relief from morning sickness:

• Ginger is an old favorite for helping morning sickness whether you drink it, smell it or eat it!

• Plain crackers eaten first thing in the morning will help calm the stomach and prepare you to try and handle more adventurous food

• Small but regularly amounts of fluids will help keep you hydrated, particularly if you have been vomiting. Sip don´t gulp! Iced water has helped many women who felt that they were about to vomit and saved the day. While others have prevented vomiting altogether simply sipping lemonade or water at regular intervals throughout the day.

• The same rule applies with food - little but often. Rather than eating big meals it is more beneficial to eat small meals several times throughout the day. For some, big meals simply overload their already crowded belly, while for others an empty stomach is enough to make them feel nausea. Either way, the same method will apply. In case you are one of those can not tolerate an empty stomach, be sure to have some snacks with you at all times so you are not caught out.

• If you have forgotten to pack your favorite snacks and you start to feel nauseous, a widely available snack that helps reduce nausea is salty potato chips. Not usually on the recommended list as they are not particularly healthy, they can be a good emergency snack.

• The mere smell of a food is enough to send some women running to the bathroom and there is no rhyme and reason to it. What makes one pregnant women feel nauseous will have absolutely on effect on another. It is obvious therefore that if you are feeling sensitive to smells you should avoid all strong-smelling foods.

• Avoid spicy food as it can irritate an already sensitive stomach

• Try to avoid getting too hot as this tends to make morning sickness feel even worse. Wear loose clothing, stay in the shade and try to avoid crowded places.