Let’s talk morning (all day) sickness in pregnancy. In my pregnancy I felt nauseous and like I was on a boat all day/evening for about the first 17 weeks but was never actually sick thankfully. According to the NHS, Around 8/10 women experience it during the first 12-20 weeks of pregnancy Severe vomiting in pregnancy - NHS (www.nhs.uk). Are you currently in the early stages of pregnancy and feeling like this too? Are you thinking “OMG, I wish I could feel Better. How am I going to get through these next few months” … or maybe just that day? I feel you and have been where you are. So, Let me help you out … Pregnancy is a wonderful journey filled with anticipation and joy...
... right, but it’s ok not to enjoy every part of it and it can be challenging! Nausea and sickness are so so common and Whilst it's usually a temporary discomfort, it can make the early months of pregnancy hard. And newsflash, it doesn’t just last for the morning, does it! Who gave it that name!!
Thankfully, there are ways to ease it and make this phase more manageable. In this
blog post, I'm going to share with you ten tried-and-tested methods that will help you find relief.
1. Stay Hydrated: Dehydration can worsen nausea/sickness during pregnancy. Make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay well-hydrated. Sip small amounts frequently to avoid overloading your stomach. 2. Ginger: Ginger has a long history of use in the UK for alleviating nausea. Ginger tea, ginger biscuits or ginger capsules may help ease pregnancy sickness. Experiment to find the ginger form that works best for you.
3. Small, Frequent Meals: Consuming large meals can trigger nausea. Instead, opt for smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day. Keep some healthy snacks on hand to combat sudden hunger pangs. In the first few months of my pregnancy, my diet was fit for any toddlers birthday party buffet - I'm talking all the beige food - toast, crumpets, crisps, digestives, which seemed to help. So, if this is you right now, it’s totally acceptable. For me, the beige food diet has continued especially across this week when celebrating our little one turning 2!
4. Avoid Trigger Foods: Certain foods can exacerbate morning sickness. Common culprits include spicy, fatty, or highly processed foods. Pay attention to what triggers your nausea and avoid them until the nausea/sickness passes.
5. Acupressure Bands: Wristbands designed for acupressure can help alleviate nausea. These bands work by stimulating specific pressure points on your wrists, providing relief from pregnancy sickness. You wear them on your wrists.
6. Essential Oils: Some essential oils, such as peppermint or lemon, may help reduce nausea when diffused. Always use essential oils safely during pregnancy and consult your healthcare provider if you have any concerns. You can also use essential oils on your wrists - there are some really nice rollerball ones from Take Five Aromatherapy specifically for pregnancy sickness. Take Five Aromatherapy - Natural aromatherapy products to support both pregnancy and general wellbeing
7. Vitamin B6 Supplements: Vitamin B6 supplements are known to reduce nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. Always consult with your midwife before starting any new supplements.
8. Rest and Relaxation: Fatigue can exacerbate pregnancy sickness. Prioritise rest and relaxation by taking short naps and practising deep-breathing exercises or prenatal yoga to reduce stress. You could also come along to one of my pregnancy relaxation sessions to dedicate a period of time each week in your pregnancy and grab some birth knowledge along the way too. I held a sneaky preview session this week which you can see in the picture. More info here: Pregnancy Relaxation Sessions | Happy Birth Coach
9. Avoid Strong Odours: Strong smells can trigger nausea. If certain scents make you feel queasy, try to avoid them. Consider using unscented or lightly scented products during this time.
10. Medication: If your morning sickness is severe and affecting your ability to function, speak with your midwife. In some cases, they may prescribe medications that are safe for pregnancy to provide relief. Morning sickness is not the same as, or to be confused with, hyperemesis gravidarum which is extreme morning sickness that causes you to vomit several times per day, dehydration or weight loss. It is thought to affect 1-3 women in every 100 but many cases are unreported. This can require hospital treatment so please take advice from your midwife or GP and don’t feel that you have to just ‘put up with it’. Pregnancy Sickness Support also have some really helpful tips Pregnancy Sickness Support home page - UK Charity Pregnancy sickness, though challenging, is a common part of the pregnancy journey for UK mothers.
It's important to remember that it usually subsides after the first trimester. In the meantime, the ten methods mentioned above can help ease the discomfort and make this phase more manageable. Always speak with your midwife before trying any new remedies or medications during pregnancy, and don't hesitate to seek support and advice from loved ones. Your health and well-being are of utmost importance during this special time. If you’re feeling like you're the only one experiencing nausea and want others to share what you're going through with, why not come along to one of my free 'From Champers to Pampers' Pregnancy coffee mornings/evenings. You can find out more here: Pregnancy coffee mornings | Happy Birth Coach | Taunton
Or if you're feeling overwhelmed about decision making in pregnancy and want to become more knowledgeable and in control, have you considered a hypnobirthing course? You can join my next free 'OMG How am I Going to Have This Baby!' workshop online on 30th November to hear all about how it can help you prepare. More info here: https://buytickets.at/happybirthcoach/1049575
Take care!
Kate x