Feeling Sick All Day in Pregnancy? These Tips Might Change Everything ( Even Permanent Relief)
Pregnancy is a blessing, but also a trial in the form of morning sickness.I’ve witnessed numerous mothers experience extreme nausea and vomiting, or hyperemesis gravidarum. When your stomach churns and you can’t hold anything down, it’s not only your health that suffers, but your daily comfort as well. Fortunately, some easy remedies made from common ingredients in the house will get you through this period.As a doctor, I often prepare simple, effective remedies using everyday ingredients to help my patients manage this difficult phase with more comfort and confidence. Below are six natural and safe home remedies and three additional tips that will get you through this crucial period in your pregnancy.
Quick information in this blog
Could Just a Slice of Ginger Stop Your Nausea? Here’s What I Recommend as a Doctor
I often advise my patients to begin with ginger because it works. In my clinic, many women experience relief in just a few days. Ginger contains active compounds that calm the stomach and ease nausea.
What to do:
Peel a small piece of ginger, about the size of your thumb, and slice it. Boil it gently for 10 minutes in two cups of water. Strain and drink warm. I suggest sipping one cup in the morning before breakfast and another later in the day. If hot drinks upset your stomach, let it cool a bit. You can also chew a thin slice of fresh ginger or keep crystallized ginger candies close by.
Why it helps:
Fresh ginger calms stomach contractions. Many patients also report a reduced feeling of nausea within a half hour of sipping the tea. Just start slowly and gradually increase if you can tolerate more.
Early Morning Lemon Water: A Small Habit with a Big Impact
When I ask about common home remedies in Pakistan, many mothers mention lemon. Its scent and taste help curb nausea almost instantly.
What to do:
Mash half a lemon into a glass of lukewarm or room temperature water. Drink it before meals or first thing in the morning. Keep a slice of lemon in a small container or sniff one when you feel queasy. Some of my patients carry lemon-scented tissues to inhale during the day, it offers immediate relief.
Why it works:
Lemon’s citrus aroma comforts the brain and interrupts nausea. It also aids digestion, which further soothes the stomach.
Eat Small, Light Meals Frequently
In Pakistan, we love rich and spicy meals, but when you’re dealing with strong nausea, heavy foods make things worse. I tell my patients: keep your meals small and frequent. It’s not a diet, it’s a way to reduce the intensity of nausea.
How to practice this:
● Eat five to six small meals every few hours rather than two large ones.
● Go for dry, bland foods: toast, plain biscuits, or a handful of nuts.
● I often recommend plain khichdi or daal with roti, light on spices, and easy on digestion.
Small meals prevent your stomach from empty spells or overloading, both triggers for nausea.
Cumin (Zeera) and Fennel (Saunf) Water
Traditional kitchens in Pakistan stock zeera and saunf, and both help digestion in pregnancy. I encourage expecting mothers to use these simple, safe ingredients.
How to prepare cumin water:
Boil one teaspoon of cumin seeds in a cup of water for 5 to 7 mins. Strain and drink warm, sometime after breakfast.
For fennel tea:
Use the same method with one teaspoon of fennel seeds. Strain and sip slowly.
Why it works:
Both cumin and fennel calm the digestive area. These seeds help ease gas and stomach discomfort, offering gentle, natural relief.
Stay Hydrated with Safe and Nourishing Homemade Drinks
When nausea is severe, lack of hydration makes it worse. In my clinic, I stress the importance of steady fluid intake, even small sips can protect against dehydration and fatigue.
Home‑made hydration options:
● Drink plain water throughout the day, in small but consistent amounts.
● Make salted lemonade by adding a pinch of salt and sugar to plain lemon water.
● Use ORS salts, they are available at pharmacy counters.
● Try barley water: boil one tablespoon of barley in two cups of water, strain, and sip.
Why hydrate this way:
These drinks restore electrolytes, maintain your energy, and reduce reeling. Avoid strong tea, coffee, and fizzy drinks, they can irritate your stomach.
Calm Air, Clear Head: A Hidden Trick for Nausea Relief
Many of my patients feel better simply by resting in a quiet, well-ventilated room. Fresh air reduces triggers, while soft clothing and short naps ease stress. Avoid strong smells, like kitchen smoke or perfume, that can worsen nausea. It’s a small lifestyle shift, but creating a peaceful space often brings noticeable relief, especially in the early weeks.
Practical steps:
● Open windows to let fresh air in, and run a fan on low speed.
● Keep your living area free from strong smells, cleaning products, perfumes, and kitchen smoke can trigger nausea.
● Take short daytime naps when tired.
● Wear lightweight, breathable cotton clothes, especially important in Pakistan’s warm climate.
Even if it seems simple, a calm, oxygen‑rich environment can significantly reduce nausea.
Extra Tip 1: Use Light Aromatherapy with Mint or Cardamom to Ease Nausea Naturally and Quickly
I’ve seen peppermint and cardamom work wonders for many of my patients who struggle with nausea, especially during the first trimester. These are safe, affordable remedies already present in most Pakistani households.
What you can do:
Crush a few fresh mint leaves and gently inhale their scent, especially when you feel queasy. Chew on green cardamom pods after meals or when nausea starts building up. You can also place a few crushed pods in a handkerchief or small pouch to carry in your purse. Try keeping one by your bedside to use first thing in the morning.
Reason it works:
Both mint and cardamom have natural compounds that calm the vagus nerve, which helps regulate digestion and nausea. Their fresh aroma stimulates the brain’s relaxation response and interrupts the nausea loop before it intensifies. Unlike strong oils, they’re gentle and safe for pregnancy when used this way.
Extra Tip 2: Avoid Heavy, Greasy, or Strongly Spiced Foods
Pakistanis love oily food, but when nausea strikes, nothing heavier than lightly spiced meals should go near your stomach.
How to adapt your meals:
● Skip fried snacks like samosas or pakoras.
● Don’t eat spicy biryanis or curries.
● Use minimal oil and spices in khichdi, daal, or boiled vegetables.
● For proteins, go for grilled or boiled chicken instead of deep-fried.
These mild meals reduce digestive stress and help you stay healthy without triggering nausea.
Extra Tip 3: When to See a Doctor?
Sometimes home remedies aren’t enough. As a doctor, I urge you to see a medical professional if you:
1. Vomit more than three times daily
2. Can’t hold down any food or fluids
3. Lose over five percent of your pre pregnancy weight
4. Feel dizzy, faint, or weak
5. Notice blood or food in vomit
These signs may indicate hyperemesis gravidarum, which requires clinical treatment, like IV fluids, vitamin supplements, and possibly safe medication. Always call your doctor or nearest clinic without hesitation.
Sample Day Plan (Your Daily Routine)
Below is a day‑in‑the‑life planner I often share with patients to support morning sickness
Conclusion
Morning sickness is hard, especially when it lasts all day and nothing seems to help. I’ve seen many women go through this, and I want you to know: you’re not alone. The remedies I’ve shared here aren’t just random tips. These are things that real mothers have tried, and I’ve seen them bring comfort during one of the most sensitive times in life.
You’re already doing something amazing. Be gentle with yourself. Recovery doesn’t always come quickly, but with care and patience, relief does come.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I drink ginger tea daily during pregnancy?
Yes, you can drink it once or twice a day in small amounts if it suits you.
What if lemon water makes my nausea worse?
Stop using it and try mint, cardamom, or ginger instead. Every woman’s body reacts differently.
Can I eat spicy food during morning sickness?
It’s best to avoid spicy, oily meals. Stick to light and simple foods until you feel better.
How do I know if I have hyperemesis gravidarum?
If you vomit several times a day, lose weight, or can’t keep any food down, talk to your doctor right away.
Can I take medicine for morning sickness?
Yes, but only with your doctor’s advice. Don’t self medicate during pregnancy.
