Get Off The Morning Sickness Merry-Go-Round
It’s not easy being pregnant and queasy
It seems unfair that the joy of pregnancy can give way to feeling lost at sea as nausea and vomiting accompany the tides of your hormones ebb and flow.
Morning sickness is generally defined by symptoms of nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite that begin around the fourth week of pregnancy. While two thirds of pregnant women experience some degree of morning sickness, the exact cause is unknown, itʼs likely that huge shifts in hormones, blood pressure fluctuations and changes in your bodyʼs ability to digest carbohydrates all contribute to feeling sea sick.
Symptoms most likely arise in the morning but can occur at any time of the day or night, and while symptoms usually shift by the fourteenth week of pregnancy, for some women, they can persist well into the second and sometimes third trimester.
Morning sickness S.O.S!
Letʼs have a look at some of the more effective morning-sickness management strategies:
1- Small meals often
Is the golden rule to keeping your glycemic index stable. Avoid highly processed, highly sugared foods that will send your body into peaks and troughs, nausea can be exacerbated by feelings of hunger. Include low GI foods and protein at every meal, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, organic vege and low GI fruit like berries. Keep snacks handy, and try something dry and plain first thing in the morning.
2- Sip it up
Canʼt stomach a regular meal? Consider simple soups, stews and smoothies, youʼll still be prioritising nourishment for your pregnant bod and growing bub, by getting your nutrition in a more readily digestible manner.
3- Herbal infusions
Herbal medicine can be incredibly effective in providing symptomatic relief for nausea, used for thousands of years Ginger has an incredible history as an antinausea and sea-sickness remedy. The MaterniTea Pregnancy Tea Program includes the StabiliTea blend, designed esepcially for combatting morning sickness and nausea.
4- Avoid anything that triggers your nausea
You’ll figure out pretty quickly what the key triggers are that set off your nausea such as food, smells, particular perfume, house-hold and cleaning products. Try avoid places where you know you’ll be exposed to these. Practice asking for the help you need now – this is a perfect time to have your partner and family do the chores for you if you can’t stomach the smell.
5- Review your pregnancy protocol
Self prescribe your pregnancy vitamins? Certain minerals may actually trigger your nausea and you may be lacking vital nutrients, book in with a Naturopath to review your supplements and vitamins to ensure youʼre getting the right support all the way through.
6- Just breathe beautiful
Take time to eat slowly, breathe deeply and stretch often. Support your sensitive system by wearing comfortable and non-restrictive clothing which allows better blood flow to all the digestive organs.
If you are experiencing violent or chronic bouts of vomiting and dizziness, see your doctor.
