Beating Morning Sickness

by Alex Jones | December 2, 2017

Morning sickness is thought to be caused by the pregnancy hormone hCG- human chorionic gonadotropin. How unwell you feel at any given point during gestation is not necessarily related to your levels of this hormone. Most studies show that the impact and severity of morning sickness varies from person to person and even from pregnancy to pregnancy. Genetic predisposition may be a factor and unfortunately it’s likely that if you had a bit of a sensitive stomach before becoming pregnant, you will suffer more than others. The most well-known of all the possible symptoms a woman may experience during her pregnancy, morning sickness can really take its toll on your body and your state of mind. But there are ways you can alleviate some of your discomfort and spend more time feeling like the glowing mother-to-be you’d hoped to be!

• Stay hydrated
  • Dehydration can bring on nausea and vomiting can dehydrate you, creating a vicious cycle. If drinking plain water makes you gag, try adding a couple of slices of lemon.
• Eat/drink/smell ginger
  • Ginger has been proven to possess anti-nausea properties when ingested or even just through smelling the herb.
• Practice yoga
  • There are many pregnancy oriented yoga classes available these days to relax and realign your body. This helps to relieve pregnancy related aches and pains as well as morning sickness.
• Consider acupuncture and/or massage
  • When performed by a qualified practitioner, these ancient remedies can reduce nausea and relieve tension. Make sure your therapist is aware that you are pregnant so they can cater to your specific needs and avoid certain points in your body.
• Eat smaller meals more frequently
  • Eating small amounts whenever you can over the course of your day can prevent your stomach from becoming empty or overfull and allow you to maintain your optimal diet.
• Follow your ‘gut’
  • If you crave something, go with it, within reason! Your body is wired to tell your brain what it needs but it sometimes may need a little interpreting first.
• Drink peppermint tea
  • Many studies have shown peppermint tea to be relaxing and reduce nausea. If you don’t feel up to drinking tea, smelling peppermint oil can have similar effects.
• Avoid smells that make you feel unwell
  • This may seem obvious but can take some doing, especially if you are working in an environment where certain smells are constantly around you. Put strategies into place to bring fresh air into your work space. Reduce the smell as much as possible, take breaks from the area, and override the smell with more pleasant aromas.
• Get some sleep
  • When your body is not properly rested, it can be harder to fight against those queasy feelings. Sleeping while pregnant is notoriously difficult due to hormones, general discomfort, and needing to use the toilet multiple times during the night. Try to fit a nap or two in during the day to compensate.
• Keep dry, savory snacks on hand
  • Dry foods such as crackers can help to soak up some of the stomach acid in an otherwise empty tummy and make eating other foods easier. The carbohydrates in whole grain foods will also give your body a bit of the extra energy it needs to combat nausea.
• Avoid greasy foods
  • You may be craving a greasy fried breakfast of hash browns and garlic mushrooms but aim to keep the oil to a minimum. This will help avoid upsetting your stomach. Try to add in some colorful vegetables to ensure you’re getting all the vitamins you need.
• Make smoothies and ice blocks
  • Sometimes actual food is just too much to swallow and keep down. Make yourself a few fruity ice blocks in various flavors and make friends with your blender.

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