Morning Sickness Remedies, Tips, and Tricks to Ease Your Nausea

Queasiness Got You Down? Try These Morning Sickness Remedies and Tips

Nausea. Exhaustion. Breast tenderness. Hormonal changes. The first trimester is often a unique time of joy and celebration juxtaposed against those telltale signs of pregnancy – which usually just means that your body is doing what it should to prepare for bringing your new little one into the world! In fact, about 89% of women experience symptoms of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. This symptom most often develops around 6 weeks pregnant, peaks at around 9 weeks pregnant, and then typically dissipates by the second trimester, though every parent’s prenatal journey is unique and may not follow that precise timeline. While those early weeks of pregnancy can be tough, there are many morning sickness remedies and tricks that may help ease those waves of uncomfortable nausea. The most important thing to remember right now is to take it easy on yourself, get the rest that you need, and try to find ways to enjoy your pregnancy experience and perhaps even connect with your growing baby. It may seem like lightyears away right now, but he or she will be here before you know it!

Every expectant body is different, so check out our list of morning sickness remedies, tips, and tricks to see what works best for you – it may not be the tried-and-true remedy that your mother, sister, cousin, or friend swears by. Here’s a few ideas that may help:

• Be mindful of your foods. Your relationship with food might be a little on the outs right about now, and that’s perfectly normal. Many moms-to-be find that old favorites (or foods they never minded before) are now Public Enemy #1 (…and #2, and #3, and so on). Other moms find themselves craving certain foods, only to be hit by a wave of nausea the second it’s in front of them. Even the smell of food cooking can trigger a bout of morning sickness, so it’s important to tread lightly, recognize what makes you nauseated, and avoid overly greasy, spicy, and/or fatty foods.
• Snack often. This tip can seem counterintuitive to morning sickness – after all, it may be a struggle to get anything down at times – but it’s important to ensure your stomach doesn’t become empty, as that can actually worsen nausea and even cause other symptoms like dizziness. Keep bland snacks, such as crackers, a sliced banana, pretzels, or plain toast, nearby and choose meals that are easy to digest and high in protein and vitamins. The rule of thumb is to eat small amounts often!
• Purchase a pair of Sea-Bands^®. These elasticized wristbands can be found at retailers like Walmart and Target, and were made to alleviate nausea and vomiting associated with motion sickness, chemotherapy, and morning sickness. Each wristband has a small plastic stud on the inside that presses on and stimulates particular acupressure points located between tendons in the wrist, resulting in reduced or minimized feelings of nausea.
• Try acupuncture. While acupuncture is not usually considered a specific morning sickness remedy, some studies have found evidence that it can be an effective treatment for nausea and vomiting. During an acupuncture session, a trained practitioner will target certain areas of the body with extremely thin needles that typically stimulate nerves and cause the brain to release specific hormones.  
• Drink a lot of fluids. You may already know that upping your water intake is really important during pregnancy. But remember, nausea and vomiting can cause dehydration. With that in mind, it’s especially critical to ensure you’re sipping on a nearby glass or bottle of water nearly constantly. Try ginger ale occasionally, as ginger can also help alleviate nausea.
• Take your vitamins. In addition to your prenatal vitamin, talk to your healthcare provider about what other vitamin supplements are safe for pregnancy and may help reduce morning sickness. For example, studies have found that taking Vitamin B6 is both safe for expecting moms and can greatly improve nausea.
• Get plenty of rest. Sometimes one of the best morning sickness remedies is to simply listen to your body, slow down, and get some extra sleep. After all, your body is already working hard to help your baby grow and develop – even if you don’t have the bump to show for it yet! If you’re struggling, try to spend a day or two in bed. Take a sick day if you can and be sure to ask for help with household tasks and/or childcare for your older kids if needed, so you can enjoy the good, quality rest that you deserve.
  
  Not feeling 100% yourself can take a toll - and that's totally normal! It may not look like it yet, but your body is doing amazing things right now. Considering a resource like the Expectful app, which features the largest library of meditation and sleep content for pregnancy and parenthood, can help you feel well while nurturing your whole self during this sensitive time. 

Still Fighting Morning Sickness? You've Got This!

This is an important time in your pregnancy, mama, so don’t forget to communicate with your doctor or healthcare provider! It is especially essential to share all your early pregnancy symptoms, so your healthcare provider can address any concerns or complications right away if things don’t seem quite right. Be sure to let them know if your nausea is acute, doesn’t ever subside, leads to weight loss, and/or results in frequent, severe vomiting that doesn’t let you keep any foods or fluids down.

As you continue through your first trimester, be sure to follow us on Facebook to connect with other moms-to-be just like you and share what morning sickness remedies worked best. Whether this is your first pregnancy or you’ve been through it before, every experience is unique - and you’re doing a great job!