How to Survive Morning Sickness

Morning sickness. It is a reality of pregnancy that would be lovely to just skip over. For some women, functioning comes easy.  If that’s you, GREAT!  But if you find yourself crawling on the bathroom floor to the toilet every morning, please know that you are not alone.  Morning sickness affects over half of pregnant women! Congratulations!

Fear not my friends, there are things you can do.  The following will guide you through some tips on what to do, and what to avoid in order to get you through this part of pregnancy.

The beginning of pregnancy can feel like a test.  A test of your will and strength to keep going.  And, really… this is good because the rest of pregnancy isn’t easy either.  Or the birth part.  And then… you are a parent!  Which is the most important job you will ever have.  So maybe this morning sickness is like an initial job interview for your new role in life?

And, surprise!  Morning sickness isn’t the only battle in the first trimester.

A ton of early pregnancy signs feels a lot like your period symptoms.  Which can be confusing, and nerve-racking if you’ve ever experienced a loss of pregnancy.

Extreme exhaustion.  Are you tired? I don’t mean, “I didn’t sleep well last night.. and now I’m a bit run down”.

But what the actual F.

I NEED to go into bed, and stay there for the foreseeable future?

And why do I have to pee alllllllllllll the time?

Here is another basket of rainbows for you, filled with more fun early pregnancy symptoms.

• Swollen and tender breasts
• Headaches
• Abdominal Cramping
• Bloating and constipation
• Back pain
• Mood changes and irritability (like PMS on steroids)

Beyond all the physical symptoms, this is a huge change in your life!  You are breaking the internet searching for any and everything you can think of.  Follow me, there is more!

What is Morning Sickness?

Well, I’m not sure who decided to call it “morning” sickness. They are LIARS! It should be called ALL DAY sickness.

Typically, it begins around 6 weeks and peaks between 8-11 weeks. The end coincides with your transition from the first to the second trimester. Some unlucky women experience it THROUGH THEIR ENTIRE PREGNANCY. Oh my god… I can’t imagine it.

I just cannot.

It hits you at ANY time of day, and it knocks you down.

I think this is the worst season of your pregnancy for many reasons. You are just a blob that feels crappy and not into the same activities you typically are doing.

Since you haven’t told many people yet, your friends and family may think you are being antisocial or just a jerk.

You don’t even LOOK pregnant yet. You just feel like garbage. Yay.

I would suggest confiding in people close to you that you can trust. Talk with them and lean on them while you are going through this hard part of pregnancy. Let them help you with laundry or grocery shopping… whatever. Learn to delegate like a boss.

Why does Morning Sickness exist?

Well, no one really knows. Isn’t that just fantastic and exactly what you want to hear?

But there are theories.

Once you are pregnant, your body produces a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). This is what the home pregnancy test you took 3 times detected in your urine.

Your digestive system is also super sensitive during pregnancy. It slows due to changing hormone levels.

You’ll also have a heightened sense of smell, which can set off your nausea quick! Ask your family if they would not prepare, microwave, or eat smelly foods around you. If you are the one preparing meals still, ask for some help. If it is possible, order take-out. I know cooking was the LAST thing I wanted to do basically throughout my entire pregnancy.

Who gets Morning Sickness?

Pregnant women.

Well, 70% of pregnant women.

If you’re having a girl, you may have more morning sickness than if you were pregnant with a boy. Which, I have to say was true in my case. I felt much worse in the beginning with my daughter than my son. If you are having multiples (twins or more.. yikes!), you have an even higher chance of morning sickness!

If your mother experienced morning sickness, or you have a history of migraines, YEP.. you get more morning sickness too.

Congrats.

Must have foods for Morning Sickness

A major piece of advice I have for you is to not let your stomach get completely empty! 

That is why you may feel sicker in the morning because you don’t have anything in your stomach.  Have crackers at your bedside and eat a couple before even getting out of bed! This trick saved me so many times with my daughter.

Eating smaller meals to avoid getting too full will help curb nausea also. 

Here are some food and drinks that you’ll want to stock up on.

• Bland crackers like Saltines or Ritz
• Water
• Gatorade
• Watermelon
• Ginger ale or carbonated flavored water
• Mashed potatoes (yuummmmmmmm)
• Greek yogurt
• Ginger root tea
• Red Raspberry root tea

Other Helpful Tools

Here are some other options besides food that can help ease morning sickness

• Sea-band anti nausea bracelet- see it here on Amazon
• Chew peppermint gum
• Lemon drops (hard candy)
• Preggie Pops these saved me for both my pregnancies! – see it here on Amazon
• Acupuncture – I’ve never tried this one but have heard good things!
• Take prenatal vitamins at night time instead of the morning
• Take vitamin b6
• Take a zinc supplement

Hot Tip for Morning Sickness

Keep these items close to you at all times.

Have a kit in your purse, car, home, work…. and anywhere else that would be helpful for you. 

Hopefully you won’t need these things, but if you do you will be ready!

• Barf bag or bowl
• Gum
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Hair ties
• Water

Avoid these Foods that can increase Morning Sickness

You can take the following advice or learn the hard way.

I remember eating hot wings.  It was a craving, ok?  And then getting stuck in traffic on the interstate.  I needed a bathroom in the worst way you could ever imagine needing a bathroom. I channeled some major inner strength and made it to one FINALLY.  But man, it could have been a disaster.

A bag or bowl in the car may have been my only saving grace.

So, avoid these foods to help your nausea before it starts.

• ANYTHING Spicy
• Fatty foods
• Anything strong smelling or pungent
• Fried foods
• Caffeine
• Soup- This was a tough one for me.  There was too much liquid sloshing around in my stomach.
• Broccoli or cauliflower
• Sugary cakes and donuts
• Dairy

Conclusion

I promise you will survive morning sickness.  Follow the tips and tricks I outlined above for some relief during this season of your pregnancy. 

Remember, you will not be pregnant forever!  Focus on the good things to come.  Plan your pregnancy announcement, the gender reveal, and start getting ideas together for your baby shower. 

Is your house ready for your new family member?  Keep track of things you want to do before your new addition arrives.

Where are you at with morning sickness?  Are you in the thick of it, or is a distant memory?

Leave me a comment with your morning sickness story!  I would absolutely love to hear about it 😊

If you are struggling with morning sickness right now, I hope you begin to feel better soon momma!  You got this!