Ivana Poku Okay, so morning sickness.
If you’re a first time mum, it’s probably hitting you like a ton of bricks.
And let’s be real, the name’s a total lie.
It can show up any time of the day, not just in the morning.
I remember my first pregnancy: I felt so sick it physically hurt.
Turns out, up to 8 out of 10 pregnant women feel like this.
(Not that it makes it any easier, but it’s nice to know you’re not alone!)
It’s logical, in a weird way. Your body’s on overdrive, and your stomach’s waving the white flag.
I remember how desperate I was for relief when I was pregnant with the twins.
One day, I went into a pharmacy and practically begged the pharmacist for something – anything – to help stop the sickness.
She gave me a sympathetic smile (though I wasn’t sure if it was genuine or just polite) and said there was nothing that could help… that I just had to endure it.
I thought I might shake her.
How could there be nothing that could help?
But let me tell you, there are ways to ease the discomfort!
And in this post, I’m going to tell you what they are.
Let’s dive in!
Why Morning Sickness Happens?
So, why does morning sickness happen in the first place?
Let me break it down.
First off, hormones.
And I don’t mean a little shift here and there.
I mean a full on hormone party in your body.
hCG, oestrogen, progesterone… they’re all running riot, and your stomach struggles to cope.
Then there’s the evolutionary explanation.
Scientists say morning sickness might actually be your body’s way of protecting the baby.
Basically, it’s like your body saying, ‘Don’t eat that weird meat or cheese, I’ve got this.’
Super annoying for you, but actually kind of smart/
Other stuff makes it worse too: being tired, stressed, or even just hungry can make nausea worse.
And unfortunately, first-time mums often get hit harder because your body hasn’t done this before.
Everything’s new, and your stomach’s just trying to catch up.
The main thing?
Morning sickness isn’t a sign you’re doing anything wrong.
Your body’s just figuring out this whole pregnancy thing.
And unfortunately, nausea is part of the package.
Recognising Symptoms and Patterns
Okay, so now you know why morning sickness happens.
But how do you know what’s normal and what’s worth worrying about?
Most first time mums get the usual signs: feeling queasy, throwing up, suddenly hating foods you used to love, and being super sensitive to smells.
One minute toast smells fine, the next it’s like it’s attacking your stomach.
And don’t get fooled by the name: morning sickness can happen anytime.
Some days it’s all day, some days just a few hours… or even a few minutes.
A little tip: jot down when it hits, what you ate, and how you felt.
It helps you see patterns and figure out what makes it worse or better.
Heads-up though: if you can’t keep anything down, start losing weight, or feel really weak, it could be something more serious called hyperemesis gravidarum.
That’s when you should call your midwife or doctor.
Don’t try to tough it out, you’re allowed to get help!
Bottom line: everyone’s body is different.
Your symptoms might not match someone else’s, and that’s totally fine.
Keeping track of your patterns makes it easier to deal with the ups and downs.
Morning Sickness Hacks That Actually Work
Alright, now for the part we’ve all been waiting for—the hacks that actually make morning sickness a bit more bearable. I’m talking real-life stuff that worked for me (and loads of other mums).
Eat Small, Regular Snacks
Big meals? Forget them. Your stomach is already overworked, so stick to little snacks throughout the day. I carried crackers, nuts, or a banana in my bag everywhere. Even nibbling something before getting out of bed in the morning made a huge difference.
Stay Hydrated
Drinking a full glass of water in one go? Forget it. Tiny sips all day work way better. Ice chips, lemon water, or herbal teas can help too. I found sipping slowly while eating meals stopped that “oh no, I’m going to hurl” feeling.
Ginger and Peppermint
Ginger tea, chews, or biscuits were lifesavers for me. Peppermint tea or sweets can also calm your stomach when it’s feeling queasy. Honestly, sometimes just having a little piece of ginger chocolate was enough to get me through a morning.
Acupressure Bands
Sounds a bit weird, but those wristbands that press a point on your wrist can actually help. I didn’t believe it at first, but after a few days I noticed it made nausea less intense.
Plan Around Triggers
Smells, tiredness, and stress make things worse. For me, coffee brewing or strong perfume could ruin my day. So I avoided them where I could, and made sure I got rest when needed. Little changes like that add up.
Quick Little Hacks
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Keep dry crackers by your bedside to eat before getting up
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Sip water slowly while eating
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Pre-pack snacks for when you’re out
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Lemon or mint scents can sometimes calm nausea
-
Wear loose, comfy clothes so your stomach isn’t squeezed
Morning Sickness Hacks That Actually Work
Alright, now for the part you’ve been waiting for: the hacks that actually make morning sickness more bearable.
I’m talking real-life stuff that worked for me (and loads of other mums), plus some tips you probably haven’t heard anywhere else.
Eat Small, Regular Snacks
Forget about big meals and big portions. Your stomach is already overworked, so stick to little snacks throughout the day. I carried crackers, nuts, or a banana in my bag everywhere. Even nibbling something before getting out of bed in the morning made a huge difference.
Stay Hydrated
Don’t drink a full glass of water in one go. Tiny sips throughout the day work much better. Ice chips, lemon water, or herbal teas can help too. Sipping slowly while eating meals stopps that “oh no, I’m going to hurl” feeling.
Ginger and Peppermint
Ginger tea, chews, or biscuits were lifesavers. Peppermint tea or sweets can also calm your stomach. Sometimes, just a little piece of ginger chocolate got me through a day.
Acupressure Bands
Sounds a bit weird, but those wristbands that press a point on your wrist actually work for some mums. I didn’t believe it at first, but after a few days I noticed the nausea wasn’t as intense.
Plan Around Triggers
Smells, being really tired, and feeling stressed can make your tummy feel worse. Even the smell of coffee or strong perfume can make you feel sick. If you can, stay away from stuff that bothers you.
Quick Little Hacks
-
Keep dry crackers by your bedside to eat before getting up
-
Pre pack snacks for when you’re out
-
Lemon or mint scents can sometimes calm nausea
-
Wear loose, comfy clothes so your stomach isn’t squeezed
More Weird but Surprisingly Helpful Hacks
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Cold cloth on your forehead or neck: a cold flannel can calm nausea fast, especially in the middle of the day.
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Fizzy water with a squeeze of lemon: the bubbles settle your stomach and the lemon gives a little zing.
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Change your posture: sitting slightly forward or standing instead of slumping can ease that “stomach flip” feeling.
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Distraction techniques: breathing exercises, meditation apps, or a gripping podcast can actually help your stomach settle.
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Freeze small snacks: grapes, apple slices, or crackers feel easier on your stomach when cold.
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DIY peppermint or citrus aromatherapy: a few drops on a tissue tucked in your pocket for a quick sniff when smells trigger you.
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Morning routine tweaks: eating a small snack while still in bed or right by your bedside can stop nausea before it even starts.
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Control your environment smells: unscented soaps, detergents, and candles can make your home much easier to survive.
Try different hacks, see what works for your body, and remember: even a tiny improvement makes a big difference.
Related posts:
- Pregnancy Is Not A Magical Time: Honest Truths for First-Time Mums
- Is It Normal To Feel Sad During Pregnancy?
- Baby Essentials You ACTUALLY Need (A Stress-Free Guide for the First 3 Months)
Don’t Bottle It Up—Talk About How You Feel
One of the hardest things about morning sickness is feeling like you have to hide it.
But seriously, you don’t have to. (And you shouldn’t.)
Talking about how you feel can make a huge difference.
It’s not just venting, it helps people understand what’s going on and how to support you.
- Family and friends: Let them know what’s happening. Even just saying ‘I feel awful today’ lets them know you need a bit of extra care. And don’t forget to tell them what you need. Don’t assume they know. They don’t unless you tell them.
- Your employer: This can feel awkward, but being honest is important. Most employers are understanding if you tell them you feel nauseous. You don’t have to go into detail, just enough so they know what you’re going through. And don’t forget to explain what you need to feel better, whether it’s extra breaks, flexible hours, or working from home sometimes. Again, don’t assume they’ll figure it out – they’re not mind readers.
- Health professionals: Midwives, doctors, or pharmacists can’t help if they don’t know what’s happening. Track your symptoms and share them honestly. They can offer solutions or safe medications that you might not find online.
- Other mums: Talking to people who “get it” is super reassuring and helps you feel less alone. Sometimes just knowing someone else has survived this stage makes everything lighter.
When to Seek Medical Help
In most cases, morning sickness will ease up over time.
But sometimes it can get a bit more serious, and it’s important to know when to seek medical help.
Here’s the deal: if you’re throwing up constantly, can’t keep any food or fluids down, losing weight, or feeling weak and dizzy, it’s time to call your midwife or doctor.
There’s a condition called hyperemesis gravidarum, which is basically extreme morning sickness that needs medical attention.
Even if it’s not that extreme, don’t ignore it if it’s affecting your life.
Feeling nauseous all day, unable to sleep, or too tired to function is enough reason to reach out.
Your health and wellbeing matter, and your baby needs you to stay hydrated and nourished too.
Bottom line: When you feel you need help, ask for it.
Morning sickness can be brutal, but it doesn’t have to take over your life.
And it shouldn’t.
Conclusion: You’ve Got This!
Morning sickness sucks.
There’s no sugarcoating it.
But the good news?
There are ways to make it easier AND even help it pass sooner.
From simple snacks, sipping water slowly, and ginger fixes, to the weirder hacks like frozen grapes or cold flannels: there’s something that can help you.
Remember, it’s totally normal to feel rough, especially if it’s your first pregnancy.
Your body is figuring out a whole new job, and nausea is part of that process.
Tracking your symptoms, spotting patterns, and trying different hacks can make a big difference.
And don’t forget: talk about how you feel.
Friends, family, your employer, other mums, or your healthcare team…. they all want to help.
You don’t need to hide it, or assume everyone can guess what you need.
If something feels extreme or you just can’t cope, reach out to your midwife or doctor.
Asking for help isn’t weak, it’s smart.
So take a deep breath, try a few hacks, and know this: you’re doing an amazing job!
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