Although referred to as morning sickness, periods of nausea can happen throughout the day while pregnant at any point in pregnancy. It’s suspected that this is due to the increase in hormones estrogen and hCG, especially in the first 4-5 weeks or until 14 weeks (for about 50% to 80% of pregnant people).
Here are our top 10 ways to cope with sickness and nausea:
1. Avoiding smells or foods that you know could be triggering your nausea or reflux. So if you’re at work, maybe you avoid eating in a smaller lunch room until your nausea gets better or if it’s nicer weather, opting to eat outside if that’s an option where you work. At home or when living with other people, trying to keep rooms well ventilated so your house can stay free of, or minimize the cooking odors that day or from lingering in your home the next day (especially when cooking with lots of spices, with fish, or strong scents like garlic).
2. Don’t wait until you’re starving to eat and have several small meals or some in between snacks ready to grab. Also if your nausea is bothering you mostly in the early morning hours, and late or overnight, keeping crackers, pretzels, or another small snack by your bed might be helpful.
3. Minimizing how much you drink during meals but still staying hydrated throughout your day (since dehydration can lead to lots of other unwanted symptoms as well as increase the nausea or vomiting).
4. Sucking or chewing on something: ginger pop, hard candies, something sour, ice chips or popsicles.
5. Eating more dry or plain foods. You can try having some bone broth, raw veggies, some banana with almond butter, or if you’re also craving some more carbs, then having some brown rice, avocado toast, or waffle with peanut butter.
6. Talk to your provider if your nausea or sickness is not improving, getting worse, and is impacting your daily living routines. They may be able to even try a supplement such as vitamin B 6 or other remedies or medications.
Ginger can help settle your stomach. You can try:
Ginger capsules, candies,
Sips of Ginger ale made with real ginger
Ginger tea made from fresh-grated ginger
7. Getting plenty of fresh air, open windowns in your home or work place if you’re able to and go on daily walks outdoors.
8. Eat small frequent meals.
9. Drinking more clear liquids, avoiding having too many caffinated or sugary drinks. Adding in some teas such as: ’stomach ease’ tea, peppermint, lemon, or ginger teas, or sips of gingerale (anything in moderation).
10. take prenatal vitamins on a full stomach. Some doctors might be able to prescribe you chewable options.
Lastly:
*If you’re nauseous or sick longer than you believe is within the norm, if your symptoms become severe to the point where your quality of life in your daily routine is being affected
or
*If you’re having extreme symptoms such as:
-unable to keep food or liquids down for more than 24 hours or -loosing weight (5 lb within 1-2 weeks). -flush face -extreme thirst -leg cramps -headaches -extreme fatigue -not urinating very often under 4 times a day, or urine is dark in color or has an odor. -having an unpleasant, fruity taste or dry mouth -dizziness or confusion, then
Please speak to your provider to see if they suspect a diagnosis of severe dehydration or even hyperemesis gravidarium. Your provider may have other useful advice or referrals for you and could help you form a plan to keep you feeling supported, safe and more comfortable.
Disclaimer: This blog is not a substitute for medical advice, please refer to your provider for specific recommendations based on your medical history and circumstances.
My name is Becky. I’ve worked in healthcare for over a decade, graduated from occupational therapy school in 2009.
I am a certified labor and postpartum Doula, level I Reiki certified, a certified Childbirth Educator and taken trainings for continuing education in VBAC, Infant Feeding, Mental health, infant loss, cultural competence, continuing education on other topics such as spinning babies and more.
I love keeping up with the latest trainings.
I also offer c-section education in planned cesareans or for unplanned csections.
I love doing post surgical education with people to learn how to prevent injury after their surgery in my cesarean home visits,
where I teach best ways to move around in your daily routine after this type of abdominal surgery. I customize all of my therapist recovery tips and tricks based on you & your home set up.
Besides my Master's in OT, my minor is psychology. As an OT I focused 11 years of my career in rehab and acute care. I worked with multi-diagnoses, intensive care units, burn survivors, amputees, orthopedic injuries, knee/hip replacement surgeries, back pain, post spinal surgeries, multi-trauma patients, patients, heart disease, genetic disorders, stroke and much more. My approach to working with clients is from not only an evidence based background but also taking into account holistically that whole person, taking into account their beliefs, their parent style and what their goals are ultimately, and helping them find a good balance as they navigate new parenthood or adding to their family. I place strong emphasis on keeping a calm presence in the room which puts a lot of emphasis on considering the role of everyone in the room, and sticking to a “team work” approach.
I pride myself in providing non-judgemental care and having great for communication skills with you, your loved one, or your provider to make you have the best experience.
My husband and I live in melrose, Ma. We like the outdoors, dogs, We have two sons, love going out, spending time with family and friends.
I’m 38 years old. Since I was 15 years old, I’ve always been volunteering which is another passion of mine. I love helping families in my community and giving people the best resources to help them succeed in having a positive labor + postpartum experience!
When you hire me, you learn from a hands on technique approach and learn various coping skills, and practical skills that we practice 1:1.
My skill set is unique and valuable to families across my whole community due to my background in the medical field working along side the medical team. Working on teams helped me to gain great customer service skills and helped me always value continuous growth and life long learning.
I also have completed doula trainings for labor, postpartum, and CBE all through ProDoula which has been accepted also by work insurance companies (such as carrot).
Having doula support can be the difference between people feeling overwhelmed vs. feeling confident, educated, well rested, and feeling fully supported throughout your entire experience.
My favorite part of labor support is that through our prenatal preparation as it can take the fear out of the birth experience and leaves you feeling educated on all topics, prepared and ready for anything.
Lastly, if you’ve had any health conditions or complex medical issues, I'm specially equipped to support you. For labor I will help you get into the mental state you need to be in, physically be more comfortable with massage, help suggest the best positions and comfort measures to cope with pain whether in or out of bed, with or without epidural.
If you have a support person involved, having a labor doula can also make them feel more at ease, not only to show them how they can be more effective with hands on techniques but also more familiar with ways to give you emotional support, and recognize when you enter various stages of labor. Some labors can be very long even 1-2 days and it is very helpful for partners /spouses to know someone is there supporting their needs too alongside the Doula and team as everyone has their special roles. Your partner knows you best and your doula knows birth best so together we make a great team to help you through the labor process.
As your doula, I’m here to support you + your partner, from start to finish.
I’m also available for some postpartum work, evening or overnight shifts, and offer 1:1 private classes at your home (and on request sometimes provide couples or small group classes).
Call or email today for a consult on how I can best serve you and your family!
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