Causes and Common Natural Remedies for Morning Sickness

Most women experience morning sickness during the first trimester of pregnancy. The exact cause of morning sickness is undetermined but medical experts believe it is related to the physical changes that occur in the body during pregnancy.

Different remedies
Choosing different remedies for morning sickness might correlate with the reason for the condition. Several changes during pregnancy may indicate which women are more susceptible to enduring morning sickness. These include hormonal changes, heightened sense of smell and changes in the gastrointestinal tract.
A hormone that tends to increase during the early stages of pregnancy is hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin), a hormone produced by the placenta. Research has shown that nausea peaks are parallel to the rise in hCG levels. An increase in estrogen appears to be another hormone change that may affect morning sickness.
A possible connection to an increase in estrogen is the affect on smell and odor sensitivity. It is common for pregnant women to become overwhelmed by the smell of certain foods. In some women, smells may trigger a gag reflex that did not occur before pregnancy.
A sensitive gastrointestinal tract is another possible cause of morning sickness. Some women may experience morning sickness beyond the first trimester due to a sensitive stomach.

Natural Remedies for Morning Sickness
While science is inconclusive about the exact cause of morning sickness, there are some things women can do to bring some relief. Some of the natural remedies for morning sickness may include ginger and making changes in diet selections during pregnancy.
A half teaspoon of ginger steeped in hot water for several minutes is one natural remedy for morning sickness. Drinking the ginger tea for approximately three weeks might bring relief to some women.
Most women are cognizant of what they eat – particularly for the baby’s health. They might also alleviate morning sickness through dietary changes. Avoiding fried foods and eating smaller meals might help. Also, drinking plenty of fluids and eating crackers, toast or cereal has been known to help some women.