Morning sickness is one of the most unpleasant side effects of pregnancy. Pregnant ladies experiences it for varying amounts of time and at different levels of intensity, and some are lucky enough to avoid it altogether. When I found out I was expecting, I was anticipating some morning sickness but was hoping that it would be light. Sadly, that didn’t happen.
From week six until about week 18, I had all-day morning sickness. The mornings and nights were the worst, and I often found myself canceling evening plans because I didn’t feel up to leaving the house. After I reached my second trimester, it slowly started to improve, and when I say slowly, I mean S-L-O-W-L-Y. At this point, I usually only feel sick in the mornings and evenings, and it isn’t as bad as it was, so I’m grateful. Every once in a while, I’ll have an especially bad day, but they aren’t as common as they were.
While I was in the thick of morning sickness and desperate for relief, I scoured the internet for natural remedies and tried a bunch of different ones. Now I know that not every remedy will work for every woman, but these literally became lifelines for me, so I thought I would share.
1. Ginger Cookies and Ginger Chews
Ginger is great for any type of nausea, and ginger cookies and chews have worked well for me. Both are from Trader Joe’s, and the cookies actually have little pieces of ginger in them. One thing I will say is that both of these items contain sugar, so you do want to limit your intake–for your health, baby’s health, and the health of your teeth.
2. Acupressure Bands
I learned about these from a friend of mine who has 19 children. Designed to combat motion sickness, they have worked great for my morning sickness. On my most rough days, I would wear one on each wrist.
3. Instant Gag Reflex Relaxer
When you’re close to getting sick, squeeze your left hand (for some reason, right doesn’t work) into a fist, with your thumb in the middle. This should immediately relax the gag reflex. At first, I thought it might be “all in my head,” but it has worked time and time again.
Laura
Ahah, just wondering who’s your friend with 19 children! 🙂
Ellie
LOL, it’s Michelle D. 🙂
Laura
The left hand thing could be related to gastric fluids.
I’m no expert in medicine or anatomy (not more than the average person who’s normally interested in health and reads a bit), but I know that it’s good to sleep on our left side because otherwise the gastric fluids that are in our stomach would “get out” and cause unpleasant sensations, coming in contact with our other organs.
I know this isn’t a sufficient explanations, you could probably research it, but since our stomach in on the left side of our body (with the opening towards the center) I would imagine that squeezing your left palm engages some nerve endings that have to do with your stomach closing and not allowing “thing” to come out of it.
Ellie
Very interesting. Thanks for sharing your knowledge, Laura.
Anonymous
Unfortunately anything ginger triggered nausea for me. I found having crackers by my bed so in the morning I wouldn’t be hungry helped. Empty stomach triggered dry heaving for me. I’m happy to hear yours is getting better.
Ellie
I agree that avoiding an empty stomach helps keep sickness at bay. It’s not always easy to force oneself to eat, but it does seem to help.
Anonymous
My sister also had morning sickness with her two pregnancies, it was hard for her to keep food down. With my two pregnancies I was one of the lucky ones who avoid morning sickness altogether. The baby-wearing shirt is cute, it should be called the kangaroo shirt…Jane
Anonymous
I grate ginger and squeeze lemons to make a lemon herb tea stronger. Just for enjoyment, I am not expecting. Would adding organic ginger to some kind of pregnancy safe herb tea benefit you?
Ellie
That’s a great idea!
Regina Shea
Lipton makes a great turmeric and ginger tea that might help.
Ellie
Thanks for the tip, Regina!
Judy
I had the worst time with my second child and “morning sickness” (it lasted all day and all night and right up until I delivered him 5 weeks early). Peppermints and peppermint tea worked better than anything to alleviate the nausea for me. (Has to be real peppermint no artificial flavors though). Such a beautiful time, waiting to be new parents, I hope that you and your husband are enjoying this part of the journey.
Ellie
That sounds rough. Was your morning sickness better with your other child/children?
Anonymous
I second the mint. I used to joke that the only time I didn’t throw up was during conception.
Ellie
Oh my! That sounds rough!
Judy
Yes ma’am! Each pregnancy can be so very different for some people. My first was a breeze; and I managed to nap most of the entire 9 months! I’d do it all over again; even the sickness, for these little loves!
Melinda
Solidarity, dear Ellie! Haha!! I’m still in my first trimester and like you had previously experienced, I have nausea all day and night. It’s such a joyful cross, haha!! Thank you for the tips! I’ll be trying them 🙂
Ellie
Aww, I feel your pain. Hope you start to feel better. When are you due? Is this your first?
Melinda
Thank you 🙂 My due date is April 26th. This will be our second miracle baby! First baby arrived 3 years after marriage and this one 2 years later! Thank you for asking Ellie 🙂
I can’t wait to read all the details surrounding your baby’s gender reveal, birth, etc. So happy for you!!
Ellie
Congratulations! That’s very exciting. Will you find out the gender?
Melinda
Thanks! It’s sOo hard NOT to find out the gender of our baby in advance, but we do wait until birth. It’s supremely exciting to wait those long 9 months, haha!
Ellie
That would be very hard, but I’ve heard that it also gives you something to focus on during labor. The anticipation would be fun. Maybe we will do that at some point.
Ellyn
I hear you on the all-day aka “morning” sickness 🙂 It really is rough! I’m glad to hear you are slowly starting to feel better. It is SO worth it though – there is nothing like having your own little baby in your arms, watching them grow, and experiencing an unconditional love of mother and child. It’s the BEST! I’m so excited for you and thankful you are sharing this journey with your readers. You have spent so many years blogging about other families and their baby news, and now you will have one of your own! Do you live near the Duggars or Bates?
Ellie
Thank you for the encouragement, Ellyn. I can’t wait to meet our little baby. Nope, we don’t live near the Duggars or Bates, although the Bates are in the same state.
Ellie
anonymous
Just curious. Would a left handed person squeeze their right hand? Do all of you write with your right hand?
Ellie
I believe it would be left hand for everyone.
anonymous
It doesn’t have anything to do with it. 😉
Anonymous
Sickness can be so rough. I had a strong gag reflex that would often come out of nowhere, especially at work. I found sucking on a hard candy ( jolly ranchers) during those early weeks would keep the gag at bay. Not a fan of candy of course, and only when absolutely necessary, but it was the only thing that worked! Now after having my kiddo I can’t even look at them haha!
Ellie
Funny how that works, how something that was once a lifeline can quickly become something that turns your stomach. I have had that happen during my pregnancy with certain types of food. One week they work well, and the next week I don’t even want to think about them. LOL
Ellie
Brianna
Thank you for this! I am still in my first trimester with my first pregnancy and the queasiness has thrown me for a loop! It’s pretty defeating to want to eat healthy for the sake of me and my baby, but not be able to stomach much more than bland carbs. Hopefully it will get better soon! I want to have a good attitude, but it’s been pretty discouraging! Thank you for these tips! 🙂
Ellie
Congratulations on your pregnancy! I definitely know how you feel though. It’s rough when you don’t feel well enough to eat much more than carbs. You feel like you should be eating healthier for the baby’s sake but you just can’t. I’ve been there, and some days I still struggle with it. I applaud you for trying to have a good attitude. When are you due?
Ellie
Brianna
I’m due April 27th! The best advice I’ve received lately is just eat whatever I can during the first trimester, then get back with the healthy foods after I’m no longer sick! I can’t wait to continue to follow your pregnancy! It’s such an exciting season! 🙂
Ellie
That’s great advice! Just do what you can. 🙂 What a coincidence, I have another reader who just said that she is due April 26th.
Anonymous
Speaking of things that churn your stomach, strong prayers please for everyone in the path of Hurricane Florence. Sorry OT but it’s important. God weaken that storm!
Ellie
Yes! Amen to that. Praying for safety and wisdom for those in the path of the hurricane.
Anonymous
How did you tell Mr. H. that you were pregnant? Or did you find out together?
Ellie
I found out and then told him. I’ll have to share the story.
CJOHN
Thanks for sharing. I’m taking notes for my turn at pregnancy.
There were lots of great ideas in the comments too!