What’s this? Pregnancy is supposed to be a happy, loving time – and yet, you’re spending every morning in the bathroom, dealing with the dreaded symptom that is morning sickness! Fortunately, there are a number of natural cures you can turn to to help ease any nausea or queasiness brought on by your pregnancy.
If it feels good, do it!
Most women have an intuitive sense about what foods and beverages will help soothe their stomachs and which will further aggravate the condition. Ignoring these clues or overpowering them won’t help – in fact; you’ll likely experience more severe symptoms if you override your body’s instincts. Maybe you’ve never liked ginger ale or baked potatoes before, but if you feel cravings for odd foods – give them a try. It could be your body’s way of telling you you’re missing important vitamins and nutrients.
Stick with basic foods
The simpler the food, the easier it is for your body to digest. For example, it’s a lot easier for your body to digest a banana than it is to process a Little Debbie snack cake that’s full of artificial chemicals and preservatives. If you’re troubled by morning sickness, try to eat as naturally as possible to reduce the strain on your digestive system. If possible, seek out organic products and experiment with new fruits and vegetables.
Keep your blood sugar in check
With all the hormones flowing through your body and the nausea brought on by morning sickness, it can be easy to take a pass on breakfast. However, skipping meals can lead to low blood sugar, which will only exacerbate your morning sickness. If you aren’t up for a big, hearty meal, focus on taking in smaller meals throughout the day to help keep your blood sugar levels even at all times.
Take time to digest
If you’re struggling with morning sickness, one of the worst things you can do is to force down a meal, then immediately get up and begin with the day’s tasks. You’ll be left with a stomach full of partially-digested foods that’s a prime target for pregnancy hormones and morning sickness. Instead, take the time to enjoy your meals at a leisurely pace and avoid any physical activity for at least a half hour after eating. If this sounds like too much to fit into your busy schedule, think of it as a trade-off for the time you’ll spend in the bathroom dealing with the symptoms of your morning sickness.
Try natural digestive aids
For centuries, women have turned to natural digestive aids to help combat morning sickness and other illnesses. Raspberry tea, for example, is known to help soothe sour stomachs, while pieces of ginger may help with any physical symptoms brought on by motion. If you’re interested in learning more about these natural remedies, consult with a natural medicine specialist or herbalist in your area.
Avoid your triggers
If you know that the smell of coffee in the morning sets off your morning sickness, do your best to stay away from it! You may also notice that you’re more sensitive to heat during your pregnancy. If this is the case, try to stay as cool as possible to help minimize any morning sickness symptoms. Finally, if you tend to feel nauseous in the morning, keep a few crackers by your bed and eat them before you get up – the saltiness of the crackers will help combat your symptoms and enable you to eat a normal meal.
