Morning sickness and other symptoms.
How to handle those with or without your partner.
05/2021
Kim Hopkins
Overseas Regional Manager
Area Partner Colorado Springs, CO
How did you find out that you were expecting?
Intuition?
Was your baby planned and you took a test to confirm when your cycle was late?
Did you notice changes in your body and suspect you were getting sick? Were you nauseous all the time?
Nauseous… All the time. If this is the case, you are in great company. It is estimated that 70-80% of women experience some sort of morning sickness. Sometimes it is brief, and for others it lasts the entire first and sometimes even well into the second trimester.
“Morning” sickness can very well be afternoon sickness, lunch-time sickness, or even all-day- long sickness. It varies from one woman to another and we can all agree that it is miserable. In a time when we are conscious about our eating habits and want to fuel our bodies with healthy, nutritious meals, it is the pure thought of food that can make our stomach churn. Not fair. The good news is that there are some tips and tricks to combat this nausea, maybe you’ll find them helpful.
The first response from anyone you tell about your morning sickness is probably to eat crackers and drink ginger ale. This may work for some, but it does not do the trick for all mothers. Ginger in any form can help calm your stomach, so try out ginger chews, ginger tea or even candied ginger to mask some of the spiciness. Another home remedy for morning sickness is lemon. The fresh scent can help settle your stomach since nausea is often induced by certain smells. Lemon water or lemon drops can be a great way to ease the queasiness.
Have you heard of sea bands? These acupressure wristbands are designed to help with motion sickness. You can order them online or pick them up at your local grocery store or pharmacy. Many women have reported that they are very helpful when dealing with nausea.
Eating smaller portions more frequently throughout the day can also make a difference! An empty stomach is more susceptible to nausea, so it is ideal to graze on foods throughout the day. Your partner can help you plan snacks and prep them for you (putting in a little love note for extra brownie points).
Rest! Being sick is exhausting and being sick while making a human requires super-powers. It is ok to take it easy and rest. If you are working, maybe you can take a quick nap during your lunch break? Resting your body and recharging your batteries is really important.
If none of these tips provide any relief, consider talking to your medical provider for further guidance. They may have other remedies they have found helpful for other patients and in severe cases, medications may be prescribed.