Pregnancy is a beautiful time in a woman’s life, but there are certain aspects that aren’t so pleasant. The body goes through many changes during pregnancy, often resulting in symptoms such as mood swings, nausea, and food cravings.
Nausea (also known as morning sickness) is one of the most common symptoms that women experience during pregnancy. It usually starts during the first trimester and can interrupt your day-to-day life.
Thankfully, there are plenty of all-natural remedies to combat this dreaded side effect. In this article, we’ve rounded up four simple ways to get quick nausea relief during pregnancy.
Mind what and when you eat
During pregnancy, certain foods can trigger an upset stomach or make an upset stomach worse. This may make you want to avoid eating altogether. Skipping a meal; however, can make nausea worse.
That’s why it’s important to stay consistent with regular meals and if you feel nauseous, avoid foods that are spicy, overly sweet, greasy, or processed. Instead, opt for plain protein, vegetables, and carbohydrates. Simple, bland foods like broths and cold sandwiches are easy on the stomach. When in doubt, stick to the BRAT diet: bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast.
Try herbal teas and aromatherapy
There are a variety of natural herbs and spices available to help you deal with nausea. Next time you’re feeling sick, try drinking warm tea with ginger, peppermint or lemon.
Ginger is a well-known home remedy for an upset stomach while peppermint can help calm your stomach due to its antispasmodic effects. Lemons are also helpful in that they have neutralizing effects which can provide quick relief.
Whichever remedy your choose, be sure to inhale the fragrance deeply and focus on the smell. Each of these scents offer aromatherapy benefits that can help calm nausea.
For even faster relief, consider keeping an herbal aromatherapy mist in your cabinet. These healing sprays can be used on your skin or on towels and sheets to help you feel better and relax.
With a blend of citrus oils, ginger, and vanilla, this spray from Earth Mama is designed to calm your tummy and combat nausea related to odorous smells. It’s safe and natural, with no artificial fragrance, parabens, or propellants.
Engage your body
Another way to get quick relief from nausea is by engaging other parts of your body. If you’re feeling sick, try one (or all) of these remedies.
First, controlling your breathing will help ease your queasy stomach. It’s a simple technique: inhale steadily through your nose and breathe out through your mouth. Repeat this slowly until your nausea subsides.
Another option is to book an acupuncture session. An ancient Chinese tradition, acupuncture has been proven to help nausea and is safe to do while pregnant.
Last, try getting some fresh air. If you’re feeling up to it, take a quick walk outside, even if it’s just around the block. You can even incorporate controlled breathing exercises while you walk.
Drink enough fluids
Water and clear liquids are helpful in the prevention and treatment of morning sickness. If your morning sickness has led to vomiting or diarrhea, you’ll want to drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.
If you’d prefer something other than water, try electrolyte-rich drinks like Pedialyte, Gatorade or coconut water to replace the nutrients you lost when you were sick. Alternatively, you can also try sugar-free popsicles or bone broths to boost your hydration.
The unfortunate reality of pregnancy is that most women will experience morning sickness. However, natural remedies like wellness sprays and supplements can help you get some quick relief.
Now that you know how to get quick relief for morning sickness, find out how to prevent pregnancy-related nausea altogether.
