10 Best Natural Morning Sickness Remedies
By Mavi Gupta, M.D., C. C.Ht.
Co-creator - The Birth Relaxation Kit™
What causes morning sickness? I don't know. I'm not even sure why they call it morning sickness, when it seems to hit at different times of day for different expectant mothers (I seemed to get that wave of nausea more at night time).
Regardless of what you call it, that nausea and vomiting you feel in the early stages of pregnancy can make even the most elated and glowing mama feel absolutely horrible.
Some researchers theorize that morning sickness is caused by the drastic hormonal changes happening in in our bodies during pregnancy. The specific culprit, they theorize, is chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), the hormone tested for in home pregnancy kits, which is at an all time high during those first months. Still, there are so many hormones at play. Progesterone, for example, is thought to to slow down digestion.
What's perplexing to me is how I can feel completely nauseated and strangely hungry at the same time :(
Of course the severity of morning sickness varies from woman to woman. Some women experience nothing at all, while others suffer from daily nausea well into their second trimester. I suffered very little nausea in my first pregnancy, but dealt with an overwhelming amount of it with number two.
10 Natural Home Remedies for Morning Sickness
There's hope! I'm going to share some of the things that have worked for me and thousands of pregnant moms suffering from pregnancy related nausea.
As each of us is different, what works for one woman may not work for another. For example, many midwives recommend lemon water or lightly sweetened lemonade. Lemons hurt my throat, so this one doesn't work for me.
Keeping in mind that each remedy will work differently for each of us, this list is in no particular order of effectiveness:
1 - Ginger - Ginger root contains chemicals known as gingerols and shogaols that can give instant relief from nausea and vomiting. Whether you make fresh ginger tea, add raw ginger to a smoothie or try raw ginger tablets, ginger is a great remedy for nausea. You might also try ginger gum or ginger candy. I would avoid the crystalized (read: sugary) ginger candy, although sometimes when you're feeling horrible you just have to do what works!
My personal favorite is fresh ginger tea. Grate or shred freshly peeled ginger and add some raw honey. Put a couple of teaspoons into a mug and add boiling water. Let it steep for as long as you wish. You can strain off the ginger pieces, but I prefer to eat them.
2 - Lemon Water or Lemonade - Many of us simply cannot tolerate plain water during those early months of pregnancy. For some reason, plain water makes us feel worse, which is a double edged sword when we truly need to stay hydrated.
Try adding some freshly squeezed lemon juice into your water, or make lemonade (fresh is best) but go easy on the sugar. I also suggest using seltzer water with lemon when you just can't tolerate plain water.
3 - Eat Smaller & More Frequent Meals/Snacks - Remember I told you Progesterone slows digestion? Well, if you're eating big meals you're digestive system is going to get over taxed. Eat less and each meal and keep snacks on hand.
4 - Sea Band Acupressure Wrist Bands - Many women report that these things have really saved them, and they have been clinically proven to reduce nausea. The Sea Band Wrist Bands are completely natural and with no side effects.
Keep in mind, these are natural remedies. If one doesn't work. Try another. Try a few at a time. Some women report that the wrist bands along with ginger ale and sticking to smaller, more frequent meals did wonders.
5 - Protein - Protein is, of course, essential to growth. Perhaps it is a bonus that so many women are reporting a higher protein diet is helping with morning sickness. What kinds of protein?
- Grass fed and organically fed meats
- Cheese (avoid soft cheeses such as brie and feta!)
- Nuts
- Yogurt
- Beans and legumes
- Eggs
6 - Avoid Sugar and Less Carbs - Okay. It's hard to avoid sugar when you're craving a pint of ice cream. But listen to your body. How do you feel after you eat sugary foods. If these are problematic for you, give them up.
Carbohydrates (pasta, bread and other grains) all turn to sugar in your body. It's no wonder then that you might feel nauseated after eating a big plate of pasta. I have found the carbs to be okay if they are secondary to the protein, veggies and fruit.
I will say that snacking on crackers has been helpful for my morning sickness, and many others have reported the same. I keep some by the bed for those middle of the night hunger cravings. That way I get to munch but I'm keeping it light.
7 - Fennel Seeds - Just keep some with you and try chewing these flavorful little guys when you feel the least bit queasy.
8 - Vitamin B6 - Are you getting enough B? Of course, you should be getting enough if you are consistant with your prenatal vitamins, and you're taking ones that have the recommended amount during pregnancy (about 1.9 milligrams per day). But ALWAYS check with your care provider about the right amount of any supplement for you.
Best to eat foods that are rich in vitamin B. Some foods with B6:
- Avocado
- Blackstrap Molasses
- Banana
- Wild Salmon
- Cooked Spinach
- Hazelnuts
- Sunflower Seeds
- Roast Chicken
9 - Chamomile and Peppermint Tea / True Peppermint Candy or Leaf- Take small sips of these herbal teas. The anesthetic properly present in peppermint will calm the stomach and thus help in reducing the feeling of nausea. Try boiling water and steeping fresh peppermint leaves for about 10 minutes. Add a touch of honey and sip.
You may find that peppermint candies or mints like Altoids work too. I have resorted to these with success. I just avoid the ones with artificial colors or sweeteners.
10 - Curry Leaves - Take some curry leaves and press them on a sieve to extract the juice. Take this juice in a bowl and add two teaspoon of fresh limejuice and one teaspoon of honey or sugar to it and mix it properly.
A note about Red Raspberry Leaf Tea - Some people recommend this herbal tea to ease symptoms of morning sickness and to relax the smooth muscles of the uterus. However, I only recommend red raspberry leaf tea well into the second trimester and in moderation, as its muscle-toning properties can cause contractions.
| Please share this with an expectant mom you know to help them reduce or even eliminate morning sickness. |
Recipes for a healthy pregnancy and birth:
