ESSENTIAL NUTRITION AND NOTES THAT MOTHERS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT MORNING SICKNESS

29/11/2021

Morning sickness is nausea that happens during pregnancy, relating to pregnancy hormone change. Although morning sickness is a part of normal manifestation of healthy pregnancy, the episodes of vomit and nausea still influence on maternal daily life during the 1^st trimester or longer. Below is some tips for dealing with morning sickness and things to avoid for expectant mothers.

► MORNING SICKNESS CONTROL:

Choose low -saturated fat foods, get rid of skin, fat and viscera. Note that less smelly foods are prepared to diminish nausea.
Increase consumption of diverse vegetables and fruits to support digestion and diminish nausea. These foods also help mothers in supplement of essential vitamins and minerals after nausea occurred. Blending, juicing, drinking it cold can be considered for nausea prevention.
Vitamin B6 supplement: some small studies have shown that Vitamin B6 supplement (10 – 25 mg, 3 times/day) can relieve nausea. Some vitamin B6 rich foods can meet the daily needs of mothers include: pork, poultry, some fishes, milk, peanut, banana, soybean, potatoes ...
Ginger is added into your diet, such as hot ginger tea, ginger candies, ginger cookies, or try holding a small pieces of ginger in your mouth when the nausea symptom is present. Some studies show that the safe dosage is 1 gram of ginger powder per day. Note that appropriate dosage is used only and not indicated for mothers who are closed to labor or with a history of miscarriage, vaginal bleeding or coagulation disorders.
Drink plenty of water: As maintenance of maternal and fetal vascular circulation, amniotic fluid, daily maternal water need is increased also. Mothers should drink 2,5 - 3 litters of water per day. In order to adequately supply water during a day, mothers should take a sip of water every 20 – 30 minutes or even when they are not thirsty.
Divide meals into 5-6 dishes per day instead of 3 main meals, ensuring there is not too much food digested in the maternal stomach. And mother should not skip meals because an empty stomach can make her nausea worse.
Sitting upright during meals. Rest after meals but avoid lying straight. Use pillows to elevate your head and shoulders.
Iron supplement can also be a factor making nausea worse. Talk to your doctor for detailed instructions and do not take iron supplements by yourself without a prescription.

► THE FOLLOWING FOOD GROUPS SHOULD BE AVOIDED: Caffeinated beverages such as tea, coffee, cocoa. Fatty, greasy, hot nad spicy foods are avoided because they often remain quite long in the stomach causing discomfort and nausea.

High sugar foods such as soft drinks, cakes, chocolate, ...
Strong- smelly foods because it will increase nausea.
Citrus fruits, because they contain a lot of acid that can irritate the mother's stomach.

Individual eating habits and favourites are different, so the diet and exercise regimens need to be individualized, without a general menu or diet applies to all.

The nutrition department in AIH with well-experienced nutritionits will analyze your current diet and daily activities in order to develop a proper nutrition plan for individual case.

--------------------

For checkup and consultation at AIH:

☎️ Hotline: (028) 3910 9999

🌏 Website: www.aih.com.vn

📍 Address: (Entrance from 199 Nguyen Hoang Street) No.6, Bac Nam 3 Street, An Phu Ward, Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City.