Morning Sickness: Easing It the Natural Way
Article By Nicole Deak

I once read in a book that women who suffer from severe stomach sickness during their pregnancy have psychological issues with the baby. In essence, this author suggested that women who vomit during those tumultuous first few months have a sub-conscious desire to expel the embryo.

For any woman who has struggled to get pregnant, and is delighted at the very thought of a tiny infant growing quietly, the mere thought of such an accusation can bring on a bout of nausea.

It is true that doctors do not know the exact reason why we feel sick to our stomachs, there are plenty of great possibilities (physical ones, not laughable psychological ones). Our bodies are going through an unprecedented amount of change, a new life is developing, hormones levels are increasing to support the pregnancy, our senses, especially smell and taste, have reached new heights, and our bodies are increasingly sensitive to all that occurs in our environment.

It's no wonder we feel exhausted and queasy while our bodies adjust.

For me, I had a challenging time keeping food in my stomach for the first trimester (approximately weeks 1 through 12). At my first prenatal visit, I discussed this with the doctor on call. She immediately gave me a prescription for medication that would alleviate all symptoms of the dreaded morning sickness. Side effects? I asked. Not a one, she replied, it's perfectly safe.

With the prescription in hand, I left the doctor and went to do a little of my own research. The drug was relatively new, and no long-term studies had been completed. I had decided to opt out and look for other more natural methods to reduce the morning sickness.

First of all, I learned that the queasy feeling is a good sign and that miscarriage is much less likely in those women who experience morning sickness (which can actually last all day, but is most common in the morning when blood sugar levels are low). But, knowing that fact didn't help much as I vomited several times daily.

I was extremely sensitive to smells and couldn't even stand to imagine the smell of red peppers or cigarette smoke. Even coffee, which I loved before, became repulsive. So, I automatically avoided all smells that were offensive. Occasionally, that was impossible, so I carried a small satchel stuffed with dried herbs such as lavender and thyme and took a deep breath when needed.

Also, snacking is a great preventative. Queasiness is often worse when the stomach is empty, and when the feeling comes on, eating may be the last thing on your mind. Try consuming a fair number of small meals, and eat a late night snack so that your blood sugar doesn't drop as much during the night.

Have someone else cook your meals for a while, if at all possible. You may not feel like eating, but when a meal is placed in front of you, your appetite may improve. Plus, you won't be exposed to the smells of preparation, and that ill feeling may stay at bay.

Of course, get plenty of rest. When I was feeling rushed or run down, the vomiting was worse. So, slow down and give yourself lots of time to get things done. Get some extra help from family and friends, knowing that your energy levels and general feeling of wellbeing will pick up considerably after your body has adjusted to the pregnancy.

Still can't keep any food down? Well, know that your baby is getting all of the nutrition it need during these first few months, even if there is little or no increase in your dietary intake. The most important thing during this time is to avoid all toxic substances in your diet, so eat healthily even if your consumption is minimal.

There is a homeopathic remedy for morning sickness that you could discuss with your health care provider, and also a special wrist band is available that applies pressure to a specific place on your wrist. Some believe these reduce the incidence of nausea.

Don't forget about the ginger. Your grandmother probably told you to drink flat gingerale to ease the symptoms of stomach flu, and the same principle applies here. By shaving ginger root into boiling water, you can make a most soothing tea. For some, even the smell of the root itself cuts the queasiness in two.

And last but not least, go easy on yourself. This is a time of tremendous adjustment, and your body will adapt when it's ready.

About the Author

Nicole Deak has been freelance writing since graduating from university in 1998. She became passionate about natural pregnancy and childbirth during her pregnancy with her first child. Through a great deal of research, she choose homebirth and waterbirth with a registered midwife. Nicole enjoys sharing the information she learned with other expecting moms. You can visit more of her articles at Suite101.com.

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Copyright © Nicole Deak, 2001, All Rights Reserved Reprinted with Permission