Reclaiming Your Mornings: the Battle Against Morning Sickness

The following is written in a real mom’s own words. This is an outlet for parents who would like to share their stories, in the hope that others will connect and find support. If you have a story you’d like to share, please message us on Facebook or email us at bianca@momof11kids.com.

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I’m pregnant for the second time. (Serving my second term? My second sentence? Might be fitting, given the topic at hand!)

Pregnancy truly is a beautiful thing. I caught a glimpse of our newest little one in an ultrasound last week, and I was astounded all over again at the progress and growth. With all of the effort the body puts in, there is bound to be some downside. For ¾ of us preggos, that downside is morning sickness.

I’m two weeks shy of the second trimester as I write this, so morning sickness is a familiar foe. Symptoms vary greatly from woman to woman, and pregnancy to pregnancy. With my first born, the first trimester brought some nausea, but mostly, an impossible exhaustion. If I wasn’t working, I was sleeping…period. Not exactly an option these days, with a 20-month-old running underfoot! But I digress…

This second go-round, nausea is all-consuming, all hours of the day. I imagine this is what people typically think of when they think “morning sickness.” (Why do they call it that, anyway? It certainly doesn’t discriminate in terms of the time of day it strikes.) The faintest smell will set me off, gagging and dry heaving at the most inopportune times. Vomiting provides no symptom relief. Have you been there, too?

If you’re going through it – or might in the future – take heart. These natural remedies can provide some serious relief. Try them out, and repeat as needed. They’re safe for you and baby-to-be:

• All the Ginger! Ginger ale, made with real ginger. Ginger tea. Ginger in your favorite dish, if you can stomach it. Ginger chews (specifically Gin Gins Original Chewy Ginger Candy – amazing!). Ginger is a medicinal herb. It has anti-inflammatory properties, eases pain, and assists with digestion. Use it to your advantage.
• NomNomNom. Eat! Yeah, I get it. This is the last thing you want to do. But trust me – skipping meals causes a drop in blood sugar, which will only make you feel worse. Put something in your stomach. Saltines and dry toast can work wonders. (And if you’re taking your prenatal vitamins, rest assured that your baby is doing fine!)
• Proceed With Caution. Fast movements can trigger bouts of nausea. You’ve got a lot of extra blood pumping around in there, lady! It doesn’t take much for it to rush straight to your head, or make you feel queasy. When you get out of bed, move slowly. Don’t change positions too quickly. In the first trimester, slow and steady wins the race.
• Pass the Peppermint. It’s calming, and helpful for an upset stomach. Try a cup of peppermint tea, or chew on minty fresh gum. Heck, open a tin of Altoids and take a whiff. Peppermint is very aromatic, so just the smell of peppermint leaves or essential oil can ease nausea, too.
• Switch Up Your Vitamin Game. If you take your prenatal vitamin in the morning, consider holding off until right before bed. Often these “horse pills” can be rough on the stomach. They might be adding to your discomfort.

If you’re still suffering, talk to your OB. He or she may be able to recommend another option that will work with your body. There are also prescriptions available to squash pregnancy nausea, and they’re considered safe and effective. One is a combination of Vitamin B6 and the antihistamine doxylamine called Diclegis.

Your battle with morning sickness may feel like it’s neverending, but know this: it is a fleeting moment in time. It goes without saying that the baby you’re working on growing is so worth the strife. Keep your head up, and keep these remedies in your arsenal. You can do this!

-Kate
(Mom of 1, with 1 more on the way)

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