If you’re pregnant and nauseous, you’ll feel anything but glowing. In fact, the only thing that’s blooming is your need to chuck up lunch.
Although the exact cause isn’t known, a rapid increase in hormones including hCG and oestrogen is probably to blame for the morning sickness (which is a misnomer given that nausea and vomiting can rear its ugly head at any time of day or night). You might think you’re never going to feel human again, but for most, the sickness usually clears between around 12 and 14 weeks.
In the meantime, hang on in there and give the following tried and tested natural remedies a whirl:
1. Apply the acupressure
Pressing an acupuncture point (pericardium point six) on your wrist can help to relieve nausea. Motion sickness wrist bands are a great way to help apply this pressure. Put the bands on first thing in the morning before you get out of bed; and, when you experience a wave of nausea, press on the button on each wrist about 20 to 30 times at one second intervals.
2. Glorious ginger
The good thing about ginger, apart from the fact it helps ease morning sickness, is that it comes in many forms – tea, food, gum, supplements – so there are several ways to ingest it. The best thing about it is that it really does help to settle the stomach. A personal favourite was to take small sips of flat Ginger ale.
3. Vitamin sprays
An alternative to taking vitamins when the thought of swallowing a tablet is one step too far – vitamin sprays are perfect for the first trimester.
In fact, healthy sprays can deliver quick absorption of vitamins and minerals and are more effectively absorbed than the same dosage in pills. Pills can have nasty extras like shellac, talc, waxes and colourings, which make them hard for the body to digest.
Not only is one of the causes of morning sickness thought to be a lack of vitamin B6 in the diet, but B9 and Folic Acid are vital for mum and baby in the early stages of pregnancy; so getting vitamins into your system really is vital.
4. Cool peppermint
Thanks to its fresh appeal, peppermint is brilliant at alleviating all kinds of discomfort (including travel sickness, irritable bowel syndrome and indigestion), so it makes sense to turn to it during the first trimester. How you choose to use it is up to you, but a few favourites include sucking on Mint Humbugs, drinking peppermint tea, or using a peppermint essential oil in aromatherapy.
5. Ice ice baby
One of the most steadfast ways to relieve that queasiness feeling is by drinking plenty of water; plus, if you’re being sick, you need to replace the fluid you’ve lost. Easier said than done though. When you can’t face chugging down a gallon of H2O, suck on an ice cube instead. And, if you’re feeling REALLY adventurous, try turning orange juice or smoothies into homemade ice lollies.
6. Keep hunger at bay
You might want to punch me in the face for even suggesting that you eat something, but the more hungry you are, the more nauseous you will feel when suffering from morning sickness. A cruel irony I know, given that the mere thought of food can be enough to send you to the toilet bowl.
However, even just a few crackers by your bed, to have when your empty stomach inevitably wakes you up in the early hours, will help. Throughout the day, eat small and often to avoid the hunger feeling that fuels the nausea.
Good luck. And remember, it doesn’t last forever. Eyes on the prize.
