Ask the experts: Morning sickness

I’m in my first trimester and suffering from terrible morning sickness. Are there any natural ways to ease my nausea?

Natural approaches are effective for many women who experience this very common problem of pregnancy. The natural options for helping morning sickness fall into three categories: diet, lifestyle and supplements.
Diet
*Avoid both full and empty stomachs. Eat frequent, small meals every two to three hours upon waking.
*Keep a food diary to identify which foods are the culprits. While every mom is unique, common offenders are caffeinated beverages, fatty foods and spicy foods.
Lifestyle
*Avoid intense environments such as loud rooms, hot and humid rooms, and places with strong fragrances.
Supplements
*Ginger has been medically proven to assist with morning sickness. Experts suggest ginger ale and ginger candies, as opposed to powdered ginger.
*Peppermint is great for reducing nausea after a meal. I recommend double strength peppermint tea and peppermint tummy drops.
*A daily dose of vitamin B6 (that doesn’t exceed the recommended amount) reduces morning sickness in many women.
*Hypnosis can be effective when performed by a professional who is trained in providing hypnotherapy for nausea.
—Dustin James, MD, board-certified gastroenterologist and author of The Complete Idiots Guide to Digestive Health