One of our team members at work has been experiencing quite severe morning sickness over the last few months. The poor love really has had a rough first trimester…
As I consider the conversations we’ve shared regarding her constant nausea, I’m allowing myself the time to reflect and remember just how debilitating morning sickness can be. Let’s be clear – morning sickness is just plain nasty.
Irrespective, the reality is – morning sickness is a normal self-regulating process. A mother’s body is undergoing enormous physiological change, particularly on a hormonal level and nausea is often one of the by-products of such change. Why is it then that some women become so ill and others don’t?.
Now I won’t pretend to have a definitive answer, my thoughts are though – that women who suffer morning sickness (and I was one-of-them), need fairly strong reasons to slow down and rest. Morning sickness may be a way that your body can say, “Excuse me, I can’t run on adrenaline anymore so stop trying to please everyone! FYI – I need you to rest and get more sleep, as from today. And by the way – please feed me more consistently.”
The human body is very clever.
The 2 Quickest Remedies …
The two best methods for conquering morning sickness (or, as it should correctly be known, ‘ALL night and ALL day sickness’) are to:
1. Graze – Eat small amounts of food throughout the day.
This means a small portion of food everyone couple of hours. Consistent, light snacking will prevent blood sugar levels from plummeting (helping to prevent nausea).
2. Get more rest + sleep.
Having ‘nana-naps’ where possible, or going to bed early — ensuring that you get extra-sleep — can make the world of difference to how you feel.
Other helpful approaches …
3. Get checked by your chiropractor.
This enables your body to be as healthy as it can be during pregnancy. Adjustments allow your body’s nervous system i.e. your body’s computer to carefully balance your physical and hormonal needs at this crucial time. For more information regarding the benefits of chiropractic for you and your baby please see blog titled “Health benefits of chiropractic during pregnancy.”
4. Include ginger in your diet.
Try some fresh ginger tea – it’s a life-saver. Buy some ginger, cut a few slices, and add hot water and a little honey. You can also purchase Ginger Tea bags if this is easier. Most supermarkets often have ginger chews in their health food sections as well.
5. Make sure you are attaining enough vitamin B6 in your diet.
Try increasing your vitamin B6 intake throughout your day. Vitamin B6 can be found in:
- sweet potato
- bananas
- currants
- dried apricots
- prunes
- sunflower seeds and walnuts
- soya beans
- chicken
- salmon
- tuna
- turkey
- wholegrains
- brewer’s yeast
In both my personal and clinical experience I have found that nutritional guidance from a qualified holistic nutritionist or naturopath should play an integral role in pregnancy. Seeing these specialists, at least once early in your pregnancy (preferably prior to conception), will help clarify if you have any nutritional deficiencies which may impact your capacity for optimal health during pre and post-birth.
6. Take tissue salts.
Taking the following tissue salts available from health food stores are sometimes helpful;
- Ferrum Phos or Iron Phosphate is used for morning sickness when vomiting undigested food.
- Kali Mur or Potassium Chloride is useful with morning sickness where there is vomiting of white phlegm.
- Nat Mur or Sodium Chloride for watery, frothy phlegm.
7. Self-care: honour your needs.
Choosing to acknowledge and honour your physical needs during pregnancy is where the true fundamentals of self-care begin. For further information see Chapter Three of Well Adjusted Babies – “Achieving Physical and Emotional Well-being through Self-care.”
. . .
My love and blessings to all pregnant mums.
Dr Jennifer Barham-Floreani
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