Pregnancy nausea, also known as morning sickness, affects up to 80% of pregnant women.

It is often one of the first pregnancy symptoms that a woman experiences, typically beginning around the sixth week of pregnancy and lasting until the end of the first trimester. However, some women may experience nausea throughout their pregnancy.

While morning sickness is an unpleasant symptom, there are many ways to manage and alleviate nausea during pregnancy. Here are the top pregnancy nausea relief methods:.

Eating small, frequent meals

Eating small, frequent meals throughout the day can help keep nausea at bay. It is important to avoid getting too hungry or too full, as both can trigger nausea.

Eating protein-rich foods, such as cheese or nuts, can also help stabilize blood sugar levels and prevent nausea.

Avoiding strong smells

Pregnancy hormones can make women more sensitive to smells. It is helpful to avoid strong-smelling foods or perfumes that can trigger nausea. If you are cooking something that has a strong odor, open windows or turn on a fan to circulate fresh air.

Ginger

Ginger is a natural remedy for nausea, and has been found to be effective in treating pregnancy nausea. Ginger can be consumed in many forms, including ginger tea, ginger ale, ginger candy or ginger supplements.

However, it’s recommended to not consume more than 1g of ginger per day.

Avoiding trigger foods

Some women may find that certain foods trigger their nausea. It can be helpful to keep track of what you eat and when you feel nauseous to identify any trigger foods.

Some common trigger foods include spicy, greasy or fatty foods, acidic foods, and caffeine.

Acupressure wristbands

Acupressure wristbands are a non-invasive way to alleviate nausea. The bands apply pressure to a specific point on the wrist, which is thought to reduce nausea. These bands can be found at drugstores or online.

Peppermint

Peppermint is another natural remedy for nausea. Peppermint can be consumed in the form of tea, mint candies or by inhaling peppermint oil. Peppermint can also help alleviate symptoms of heartburn which is common during pregnancy.

Vitamin B6

Vitamin B6 has been found to be effective in alleviating pregnancy nausea. Vitamin B6 can be found in many foods such as bananas, avocados and chicken. Vitamin B6 supplements are also available, but talk to your doctor before taking any supplements.

Hydration

Staying hydrated during pregnancy is important, especially if you are experiencing nausea and vomiting. Drinking water, coconut water or ginger ale can help soothe nausea.

Also, try to avoid drinking too much liquids at once and instead sip small amounts of fluids throughout the day.

Rest and relaxation

Stress and fatigue can worsen pregnancy nausea. It’s important for pregnant women to rest and take breaks throughout the day. Try to reduce stress by practicing relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, yoga or meditation.

Prescription medication

If your nausea is severe, your doctor may prescribe medication to help alleviate it. There are several medications available for pregnancy nausea, including Diclectin, Bonjour and Metoclopramide.

However, always consult your doctor before taking any medication during pregnancy.