don’t bother me, i’m pregnant.
Growing a baby is magical. With the exception of the retched stronghold that is morning sickness. Pregnant bodies are working hard enough as it is let alone having to endure those first few months of nearly narcoleptic fatigue, 24/7 nausea, and ever-so-lovely vomiting. Some women endure this for the entire 40 weeks. Hats off to them. I would’ve probably stabbed my eyeballs out if that were my case with my pregnancies.
Here’s a starter list of helpful tips to consider while battling the evil morning sickness beast:
Lemon, Peppermint, and Ginger – Whether through digestion, aromatherapy, or essential oils, lemon and peppermint alleviate nausea. Ginger and peppermint help simmer upset stomachs.
Ginger Ale & Saltines – The old reliables. Not all ginger ale is created equal. Make sure the packaging says it’s made from real ginger. Usually Canada Dry is a winner.
Protein – One of my favorite nutritionist mamas based in the UK, Amanda Ashy Boyd, BA, DipNT, mBANT, lent her expertise regarding proteins like chicken, turkey, pork and steak. “Animal proteins are better because they are more dense sources of complete proteins, meaning they contain the full amino acid profile. Aiming for 50-60 grams a day would be a good starting point. Ensuring protein at night seems to help the body regulate blood sugar.”
B6 Vitamins – Ashy Boyd again lent her knowledge. “Studies prove that B6, like ginger, is effective in reducing the symptoms of morning sickness.
B6 is a water-soluble vitamin we lose daily through things like sweating and urinating. So it’s essential we replenish our water-soluble vitamins daily. There is also an active form of vitamin B6, which is P5P. Active meaning P5P doesn’t require the conversion process by the liver that B6 requires, so essentially, taking P5P, your body is doing less work to absorb the nutrient. Because P5P can have an effect on the body’s hormones, it’s probably best to wean off this supplement slowly around 20-22 weeks, reducing the amount taken over a 4-week period.”
B6 and Unisom – Some OBGYNs recommend trying a small dose of B6 (10-50mg three times a day). Add half a Unisom Nighttime Sleep Reliever to the B6 to concoct Benedectin, one of the safest drugs for morning sickness ever developed. The actual drug is not yet available in the U.S., experts on medications in pregnancy condone its use.
Sea Sickness Wristbands – These mini-sized terry cloth wristbands work by using acupressure. Little plastic buttons firmly press against inner wrist pressure points that relieve nausea.
PrimaBella Wristband – Their website explains, “PrimaBella emits gentle pulses, which are transmitted through the median nerve on the underside of the wrist and travel to the emetic center in the brain. These gentle pulses regulate the nausea signaling process between the brain and stomach restoring normal stomach rhythm and providing relief of nausea and vomiting.”
Zofran – An anti-nausea drug usually administered in ERs to relieve severe stomach virus symptoms, Zofran has found new life in easing morning sickness. A relatively new study out of Denmark of more than 600,000 pregnancies found no evidence of major birth-related problems.
TUMS EX – This antacid contains calcium.
As always, consult with your doctor before embarking on any of the above suggestions.
Rest, eat small amounts of food throughout the day, drink plenty of water, and hang in there!
You are amazing!
