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Pregnancy is an exciting season of life, but it doesn’t mean that the experience is always sunshine and rainbows. Whether it’s your first child or your third, you’re likely all too familiar with the joys of morning sickness. Finding relief can be tricky; here are a few morning sickness remedies we recommend, so that nausea isn’t the only thing you remember from this monumental time.
What causes morning sickness?
Although the exact cause of morning sickness isn’t known, it’s believed that low blood sugar or an increase in pregnancy hormones — perhaps human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) or estrogen — may be to blame. It’s also believed to be exacerbated by stress, certain foods, exhaustion or a person’s tendency to experience motion sickness.
Morning sickness is most common in the first trimester but can extend throughout your entire pregnancy. The onset and duration vary from person to person. But you don’t have to suffer — there are many different natural and lifestyle remedies for morning sickness you can try. Read on for ways to help ease this less-than-favorite part of pregnancy.
Morning sickness help: Natural remedies
No matter how long it lasts, morning sickness is something everyone wants relief from. While there are many different ways to treat this lousy side effect of pregnancy, if you’re looking for natural remedies, you’re in luck.
Note: Before using any type of treatment — natural, prescription or OTC — it’s vital to check with your doctor first to make sure they’re not harmful to you or your baby.
Ginger and Mint-Flavored Things
“Sour candy and ginger ale were the only things I ate during my first trimester,” mom of two Emily S. shared with Mom.com. Natural morning sickness remedies like this can do wonders for lessening your symptoms. They’re available as teas, candies, or chewable options.
Staying hydrated
As a rule of thumb it’s always good to make sure you’re drinking plenty of water, but this is especially important if you’re suffering from morning sickness. Vomiting can lead to dehydration, depending on how often you’re getting sick. If you’re struggling to even keep water down, try sucking on a few ice chips or flavored popsicles.
Alcohol swabs
Just like other scents of ginger and peppermint, this “nurse trick” was shared by Liesel Teen, BSN, RN, with Mom.com to quickly take the edge off your nausea. “When I have a patient who is on the brink of vomiting, I give them an alcohol swab to sniff — and it works every time!” Teen said. “When I was having trouble with nausea in the first trimester, I used to keep a handful of these in my purse.”
Traditional treatments for morning sickness
Sometimes home remedies won’t be enough and you’ll find yourself seeking more traditional treatments for your morning sickness, including medication. Ask your doctor if any of these over-the-counter medications, vitamins or prescriptions would be appropriate for you.
Vitamin B6
This vitamin naturally occurs in a lot of food. But taking a B6 vitamin will help tame those waves of nausea. B6 is a very popular treatment for morning sickness. It works to support your immune system, which is incredibly important, seeing as you’re housing a little one as well.
Doxylamine
This over-the-counter medication can be used in combination with B6 to combat your morning sickness. This dynamic duo targets the part of your brain that stirs up feelings of nausea. Using this antihistamine-based medication can lessen the severity of that queasy feeling or banish the feeling altogether.
Prescription medications
When all else fails, talk with your medical provider about what safe prescription medications may be available to you. With my first pregnancy, morning sickness was a non-issue, but during my second, I was so sick all the time that my doctor had no choice but to prescribe Zofran. And yes, that minty dissolvable tablet worked like a charm.
When to see your medical professional
Severe morning sickness isn’t only unpleasant, it’s something that could potentially affect both your and your baby’s health. How do you know when something can’t wait for your next scheduled appointment?
If you experience any of the following symptoms, give your provider a call.
- You have been unable to eat or drink anything for 24 hours.
- Your vomit is dark brown in color, or you notice any blood when you get sick.
- You find yourself unable to urinate. Or when you do, it’s dark, indicating severe dehydration.
While this list isn’t all-inclusive, it is never a bad thing to err on the side of caution. Always call your provider if you feel unsure about the severe morning sickness symptoms you are experiencing.
As we said, although morning sickness is our least favorite part of pregnancy, it doesn’t have to ruin your entire experience. Whether you prefer to try out natural or traditional morning sickness remedies, getting relief is always important.
