Nausea? Many people will experience it but how many know how to deal with nausea? 

Nausea is the unwanted feeling of uneasiness in the stomach that comes shortly before vomiting. While both nausea and vomiting are not diseases, they are signs and symptoms of, among other things, pregnancy.

As such, it is rightly true to argue that no one really anticipates for the discomfort that comes with nausea. But since pregnancy for all who yearn for the joys of motherhood is inevitable, how best can one manage to carry a pregnancy to term without bearing the burden of nausea? This is a question that many women grapple with, especially because pregnancy is a delicate period. 

Afya Watch spoke to a number of prospective as well as young mothers to establish the measures they took to deal with nausea.  Below are a few tips which, although not scientifically cast on stone, have proved to be successful, easy and affordable:

Stay Hydrated

“I had trouble during my first pregnancy. As you know, that is usually like an experimenting stage. There is still too much that one is yet to experience,” Mary, a school teacher says. She adds, “Drinking enough water was my way of dealing with nausea and it worked for me.”

A mother of two, Mary reminds us of the importance of staying hydrated, especially when pregnant. “It cannot be emphasized enough that keeping hydrated. Hydration ensures proper digestion and removal of waste material from the mother’s body,” she says. “It is also good to remember that the baby also feeds from the mother, and thus the host will need to take care of her hydration needs alongside those of the unborn baby. Besides, hydrating restores lost electrolytes, therefore, helping the stomach to settle,” she concludes.

Be careful though not to overdo the hydration. Doing so may make your stomach feel uncomfortably full.

Eating Dry foods

 “Eating dry foods such as crackers and cereals that do not have a strong odour and are easy to prepare is a great remedy to the nauseating experience,” Mary says.

“Most people experiencing nausea abhor oily and spiced foods. Therefore, to contain the queasiness, dry foods work best,” Mary adds. 

She is not alone in this. Mama Blessing was one of the people who experience nausea during pregnancy.

“My friend at work recommended that I use ginger and it helped me settle the odd feeling big time,” she says.  “Normally, ginger is used as a remedy for stomach problems. I took it in tea and also loved ginger biscuits. I still do,” she adds.

Eat a Banana

Mama Wanja, who is expectant with her second born also shared her experience with us. “I didn’t experience notable nausea during the first pregnancy,” she says. “But since I noticed it now, I eat ripe bananas to avoid starving myself. Usually because eating a well-balanced diet becomes a challenge. One feels very choosy, and nausea hits badly when you have an empty tummy,” she adds.

Additionally, bananas restore potassium that may be lost during vomiting.

 Bananas can give you Vitamin B6 that can control nausea and morning sickness.

Chicken Broth Can Fight Nausea

“I’m also a great fan of chicken broth, eggs, and red meat. Generally, foot rich in protein,” she adds.

On that note, studies have shown that foods rich in protein reduce nausea significantly as compared to carbohydrate-rich and fat-rich foods. The protein macronutrient is important since it helps  in keeping the body strong and therefore reducing the risk of malnutrition.

When you take chicken broth for nausea, make sure that it is low in fat as this has been known to cause queasiness. When making your broth, choose free-range chicken aka Kienyeji.

Herbal Tea

Teas such as chamomile are known to have compounds that reduce nausea in pregnant women. It also has a sedative effect that may help you sleep when you’re feeling nauseated. Chamomile tea has also been known to ease anxiety.

Other remedies that you can try include mint, lemon, coconut water, peppermint. Pregnancy is a delicate time for any mother. No experiences are the same. Whatever works best for you, stick with it and let us know your experience at afyawatch@gmail.com.