My alarm startled me awake at 6:50 am. I laid in bed staring at the ceiling for a few minutes trying to get my brain to connect to the present reality. Finally, it clicked on, and it was go time. I threw my legs over the side of the bed, and right as I prepared to stand, it hit me—the most debilitating wave of nausea. I quickly sat back down and started to take deep breaths; this only made it worse. With every movement, the waves got stronger, and finally, I gave up trying to fight them. I embarrassingly asked my husband to bring something close because I knew how this would end. Eventually, I made my way into the bathroom and prepared to brush my teeth. My canine-strength nostrils quickly absorbed the minty smell of the toothpaste, and I was back at square one. I was 3-4 weeks pregnant at the time and experiencing the fullness of morning (and mid-day, afternoon, evening, night, and midnight) sickness. “How in the world do pregnant women do anything?” I thought to myself.
Naturally, I had to find something to ease nausea. I had to care for my little girl, work, etc., and I couldn’t lose the fight. Here’s what worked for me.
*All opinions expressed within this post are 100% my own. I also only recommend products that I have or would use myself. I may earn an affiliate commission if you make a purchase at no additional cost to you. Please also note that I am NOT a medical professional or attorney and advise you to contact the appropriate authority prior to making any decisions.
5 Ways to Cope with Overwhelming Morning Sickness Effectively
- Peppermint
- Ginger
- Salty Snacks
- Rest
- Plan Ahead
Peppermint
Peppermint is known for its medicinal benefits such as reducing headaches, easing heartburn, helping my tummy aches, and in my case and many other women during the 1st trimester of pregnancy – curbing nausea and vomiting (source). I wasn’t able to actually eat peppermints to help me. For some reason, I just couldn’t. Same with peppermint tea. I was able to use a diffuser with very little peppermint oil and inhale the scent. Essential oils are a highly debated topic during pregnancy. Most experts agree that they should not be ingested or applied topically during pregnancy. It is also best to wait until your 2nd trimester before introducing essential oils due to the rapid changes occurring during the first trimester. Always consult with your healthcare provider before trying essential oils.
Ginger
Ginger is widely known for its aid in easing an upset stomach. I can’t count how many times I told my mom or granny that I was nauseous, and the first words out of their mouths would be, “you need ginger ale.” So, I took that same approach here. I would sip ginger ale first thing in the morning before getting out of bed and when I was struggling with symptoms throughout the day. Some women enjoy eating ginger-based candy, like Preggie Pop Drops, or even boiling fresh ginger and sipping on it. Again, ginger is another debated remedy for pregnant women, and you should always consult your healthcare provider before ingesting ginger.
Salty Snacks
I always had Saltine crackers or Ritz crackers handy. I couldn’t just open the pack and scarf them down, though. Like the ginger ale, I had to take my time and introduce it slowly- a cracker or two here and there throughout the day. It is believed that salt helps soothe nausea because it soaks up the irritation causing acid (source). Crackers are also very bland and easy to digest without bringing on a wave of nausea. Following our existing theme of caution – please consult with your doctor on what you can and cannot eat during your pregnancy.
Rest
Extra rest during pregnancy is always a plus! I found that taking the time to step away and lie down would help with a variety of my symptoms. Laying flat with my head slightly elevated seemed to usher nausea away. Lying flat would have the opposite effect so take caution there. We know rest is vital for us, even more so during pregnancy. I understand it’s not always possible to rest when nausea hits, but I encourage you to be vocal about your needs and prioritize your health and your baby.
Plan Ahead
I completely understand that stepping away and lying down is not always easy or even an option. We can, however, control how we prepare for our day. There are times where the remedies help and times when they don’t. I had to learn the hard way to allow myself the extra time to just be.
Gone were the days of waking up at the last minute and trying to prep myself and a little one for our day in 45 mins or less. I moved slower and sometimes not at all. The extra time took away the added stress when morning sickness strikes and allowed me to feel how I feel.
Hang in there, mama. You CAN do this!
What are your favorite remedies for morning sickness? Comment below and let me know!
XOXO JD
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