Are you currently going through morning sickness, or what I like to call “all day sickness?” I’m sure you’re looking for the best natural tips for morning sickness relief. I know exactly how you feel, and this part of pregnancy can be no fun. Morning sickness feels like something has taken over your body and you have no control over it. I experienced morning sickness with all my pregnancies as early as week 5. It can feel debilitating and take so much energy out of you. The good news is that it’s only temporary and there are natural ways to manage nausea. Also, by week 16, most pregnant women feel better. If morning sickness is keeping you from gaining weight, or you feel you are not getting the right nutrition, it is best to speak to your doctor to see what options you have for treatment.
What is Morning Sickness?
Morning sickness is the feeling of nausea during your pregnancy. You can feel nauseous anytime during the day. Not just in the morning. Along with nausea, vomiting may occur at any time. According to the American Pregnancy Association, this affects more than 50% of pregnant women. It is most common in the first trimeser of pregnancy and can start on week 4 and end around week 12. There are some pregnant women that experience morning sickness all throughout their pregnancy.
Why Does Morning Sickness Happen?
There may be many reasons why morning sickness occurs, and doctors say that it is a sign of a healthy pregnancy. Knowing that it is a good sign made me feel better every time I had to run to the toilet! It can get very discouraging when it gets to the point where it is debilitating and all you want to eat is watermelon or grapes. One study in the American Naturalist shows that morning sickness occurs to protect mothers and embryos from harmful chemicals in foods. This is most common in the first trimester when the organs of the fetus are developing and are most vulnerable to chemicals. This seems to be beneficial for both mother and fetus since it protects them from toxins from foods the mother eats.
Best Natural Tips for Morning Sickness Relief
When you are feeling nauseous and want relief, there are natural ways to do it. Every woman is different. What works for some, may not work for others. Here are the best natural tips for morning sickness relief:
1. Ginger
Ginger is a very common and natural way to get morning sickness relief. It is an anti-inflammatory and soothes the digestive tract because of the active ingredient gingerol. You can use ginger in tea, capsule form, ginger chews, or grated in cooking. You can try ginger in between meals or when you feel your nausea is near. If you try ginger tea, take small, slow sips so it won’t increase your nausea.
2. Eat Smaller Meals
Eating smaller meals during the day will help you avoid nausea. The best thing to do is to eat something before you feel the nausea coming in. Eat every two to three hours. If you go too long without eating, you may get nauseous. Almonds are great to eat before nausea begins. If almonds don’t sound good to you, try any nuts or seeds. Eat light, bland foods, vegetables or fruits that sound good to you. Stay away from any foods that have a strong scent, are spicy or fatty. Also, remember to stay hydrated.
3. Lemon
The scent and flavor of lemon is known to ease morning sickness and avoid vomiting. You can suck on a lemon slice, put it in a sandwich bag and smell it, or sip on lemon water. The sour taste is what helps ease the nausea. Sour candy can also help. Carry lemon slices or sour candy everywhere you go to get quick relief.
4. Snack Before Getting Out of Bed
Your day may begin with nausea when getting out of bed. You can ease it by snacking on something bland like crackers, pretzels or toast. Keep them on your nightstand to avoid getting up. Once you’ve had your snack, get out of bed slowly and sit on your bed for a minute or two to give yourself some time.
5. Avoid Triggers
There are certain smells or foods that can make morning sickness worse. Try avoiding these so you don’t find yourself running to the toilet all day! Some scents that may make morning sickness worse are coffee, strong shampoos, detergents, softeners, refrigerators, kitchens, bathrooms, restaurants, perfumes, and highly scented candles. Foods that may make morning sickness worse are chicken(even the sight of it), salsas, fatty spicy foods, coffee, eggs and onions. Every woman is different and not everyone feels sick when eating or smelling these foods or products.
6. Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 is an important vitamin needed during pregnancy and it can help with nausea. According the to American Pregnancy Association, vitamin B6 is needed for healthy function of the brain and nervous system, so it is very important in the development of your baby. You can speak to your doctor about the amount of vitamin B6 you can take in supplement form to be safe. Vitamin B6 may already be in your prenatal so it is best to ask. You can also find natural forms of vitamin B6 in foods like avocados, bananas, chickpeas, eggs, sweet potatoes, beef, and carrots.
7. Supplements at Night
There are some prenatals that are not easy on your stomach and may make you feel queasy or nauseous. You can try different brands until you find the one that works for you. There are many brands that are gentle on your stomach. You can also try to take your prenatal before bed with a light snack. Prenatals are usually taken earlier in the day for abosorption, but if that doesn’t work for you, then try to take them at night.
8. Sea Bands
Sea Bands are a natural, drug free way to get morning sickness relief by using acupuncture. There are no side effects and have been clinically tested. The band has a plastc stud that puts pressure on the inside of your wrists. These studs put pressure on the P6 point or the Nei-Kuan accupressure point. You can wear the bands whenever you feel nauseous. Sea Bands helped me with my nausea during the first couple of weeks of pregnancy. I feel it lessened the nausea and vomiting compared to the times I did not wear them.
9. Go Outdoors for a Short Walk
Staying indoors sometimes can really trigger nausea because of all the smells in your home. Especially in the morning if all your windows have been closed. If possible, go outdoors to get some fresh air and go out for a short walk. During pregnancy, your hormones are changing and that may increase your nausea. Walking for a couple of minutes will increase your overall health, and help release endorphins. This may help ease your nausea. Remember to stay hydrated and listen to your body.
Listen to Your Body
There are many tips for morning sickness relief that you can get from a friend, a family member or online. What works for someone else, may not work for you and vice versa. One thing that will always work for you is listening to your body. Your body will tell you if it’s too tired, if that food didn’t sit well with your stomach, or if you exercised too much. Whatever signs your body gives you, listen. Slow down, stop what makes you sick and try something else. Even after four pregnancies, I was always learning something new about myself. Our bodies change constantly and our learning never ends. What signs has your body given you during pregnancy? What tips do you have to share with us? We’d love to know!