Morning sickness or nausea is not the most pleasant part of your pregnancy. Though in most of the pregnant women, it lasts only for initial couple of months, but it does take away a lot of excitement and joy of being pregnant.

Morning sickness is a misnomer. Pregnant women generally feel nauseous on waking up in the morning (that’s why it is called so), but it can actually occur any time during the day. Read on to know more.

There are quite a few things that can be done to cut down on this nauseating feeling.

1. Eat in Bed
On waking, don’t get out of the bed immediately. Eat a plain cracker, a dry toast, or a cereal before stepping out, so that your empty stomach doesn’t initiate that nauseated feeling.

2. Protein before Bed
A high protein small meal before bed can help in keeping the blood sugar levels stable and keep a check on morning nausea.

3. Small Meals
Opt for 5-6 small meals than eating three heavy meals. Higher progesterone levels during pregnancy slows the movement of food in our intestines, giving us a fuller feeling for a much longer time.

4. Avoid Heavy Meals
Food rich in fat, oil, or spices are not the best choices at this time as they are difficult to digest and also can lead to heartburn, which eventually turns into nausea.

5. Eat More Carbohydrates
It is suggested that foods high in carbohydrates can also help with morning sickness. Complex carbohydrates, such as apples, potatoes, or pasta, help in soaking up the excess stomach acid which can trigger nausea.

6. Avoid Triggers
Try to avoid any such things which can trigger off the feeling of vomiting such as strong odors and smells or an unpleasant sight. Coffee is said to be one of the worst smelling food during pregnancy for a lot of women.

7. Vitamins on Full Stomach
Take your prenatal vitamins with your meal. If taken empty stomach, it will induce more nausea. You can also consider taking children’s vitamins instead of the regular ones as they are easier to digest.

8. Delay Iron Supplements
If you are not anemic, postpone your iron suppliants for the second trimester or till your nausea disappears. Iron is said to induce vomiting in certain cases.

9. Plenty of Rest and Sleep
Fatigue and lack of sleep contributes a lot in causing morning sickness. Try to sleep at least 7-8 hours in the night and have a small nap during the day.

Do not exert yourself unnecessarily. Though a little bit of regular exercise specific to pregnancy, can help you have relaxed body and a peaceful mind.

10. Distraction
This is another great option, if practiced properly. Distract yourself from thinking about sickness all the time. So, when you start feeling nauseated, try to divert your attention by watching television, reading a book, playing cards, or anything that interests you.

Remember, not everything works for everyone. Give time and try to figure out, what works best for you to alleviate your morning sickness.