Pregnancy is an exciting time, but for many of us, it comes with its fair share of discomforts. One of the most common (and often dreaded) symptoms during pregnancy is nausea, especially in the first trimester. If you’re feeling nauseous, you’re definitely not alone. While it’s often a temporary issue, finding ways to combat pregnancy nausea can make a world of difference in your daily life. Here are five tips that have personally helped me combat pregnancy nausea.

1. Eat Small, Frequent Meals of Bland, Easy-to-Digest Foods

One of the best things I did to combat pregnancy nausea was to eat small meals throughout the day rather than three large ones. Nausea can sometimes worsen on an empty stomach, so keeping something in my stomach was extremely important. I opted for bland, easy-to-digest foods like dry toast, crackers, and plain rice. I’m not lying when I say I LIVED off of Belvita Crackers in the first trimester!

Protein-rich foods were also really helpful when I could stomach them. I would choose a small serving of yogurt, a hard-boiled egg, or a piece of chicken whenever I felt the need for protein. I also found that having a high-protein snack right before bed helped prevent morning sickness from hitting me too hard the next day. And while it was sometimes tempting, I tried to avoid greasy, fatty, or spicy foods—they always seemed to make my nausea worse.

2. Drink Plenty of Fluids

For me, staying hydrated was a key component to combat pregnancy nausea. We all know that water is always a great choice, but plain water didn’t always cut it for me. I lived off of this ginger tea recipe and iced lemon water. Ginger has long been known for its natural ability to ease nausea, and it worked wonders for me!

If you’re not up for drinking, sucking on ice cubes or ice chips was another way I stayed hydrated to combat pregnancy nausea. A little bit of hydration throughout the day would make a huge difference, especially when I was really feeling under the weather.

3. Avoid Triggers

Nausea can often be triggered by certain smells or foods, and those triggers can vary from person to person. I quickly learned which foods and scents were making me feel worse and tried to avoid them. For example, I couldn’t stand the smell of cheese or anything strong during my first trimester, so I focused on foods that were dairy-free and bland.

Hot foods and drinks would also trigger my nausea, so I found that sticking to cold foods and beverages was a very simple way to combat pregnancy nausea. If a particular smell or flavor is making you feel queasy, steer clear of it for a while—it’s worth the effort to avoid it if it helps keep your stomach calm.

If you’re struggling with food aversions check out this blog for tips and tricks on managing them.

4. Try Using Acupressure

I was a bit skeptical at first when my MIL mentioned she used these, but acupressure wristbands were really helpful when nothing else was working to combat pregnancy nausea. These wristbands, which are often used for motion sickness, apply gentle pressure to a point on your wrist believed to reduce nausea. They’re easy to use, non-invasive, and were a game-changer when I needed to combat pregnancy nausea! The wristbands are also portable and discreet, which means I could wear them throughout the day without drawing attention. If nothing else is working for you, this might be worth a try to combat pregnancy nausea.

5. Get Plenty of Rest

I didn’t realize at first that fatigue and nausea often go hand in hand during pregnancy. When I was feeling especially tired, my nausea would feel so much worse. I tried my best to listen to my body and rest whenever I could. I wouldn’t let myself feel guilty about taking a nap during the day or going to bed earlier than usual—my body was working hard to grow a baby, and it needs all the rest it can get. I’m not a nap person, but I found that even just taking breaks to lie down and close my eyes for just a few minutes helped me combat pregnancy nausea, especially if I felt it creeping up during the afternoon.

Remember, these tips are just what worked for me, and every pregnancy is different. If you’re struggling to combat pregnancy nausea, please talk to your doctor to get personalized advice. They can help you find the best solutions for your specific situation.

Disclaimer: The tips provided in this post are not meant to replace professional medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider if you’re experiencing severe or persistent nausea during pregnancy.

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