morning sickness

[lil' love]

What helps relieve this? I am nauseous all day long.
Any remedies?

Thanks!

[robynberkley]

ginger candies help...suck on them slowly. You should be able to get them at any Asian food store. They don't have a long lasting effect but as long as you are sucking on them, the nausea subsides.

I used Seabands to help control the nausea. I found when I left them off for 24 hours my symptoms got worse. They have been tested on pregnant women and are proven to decrease morning sickness. There is no chemical involved...it is only accupressure. I couldn't have survived my first trimester without them.

Forcing myself to eat frequently and in small doses helped too. Even when I didn't feel hungry, I sipped in ginger tea or pregnancy tea, and drank soup or ate apples. I can't speak what will work for you but keeping food in your stomach helps!!!

good luck...I empathize:)

Cheers...Robyn

[bebe luna]

I also used the seabands (also called SCAT bands) w/ great success. Other things I used or know of:

ginger- tea or crystallized
peppermint tea
strawberries
eating an adequate amount of protein

[jjquilter]

I had morning sickness for four months. NOTHING helped. NOTHING stayed down. I was on the verge of being dragged to the hospital twice but resisted after I was able to keep down a few ounces of diluted gatorade an hour at those worst of moments. Every other day I would vomit 4-5 times per day, and that was only after eating/drinking (ie. I was keeping very little down) and being horribly nauseous ALL THE TIME. I lost more than ten pounds in my first two months of pregnancy.

I did not want to take Zofran (currently the most-perscribed med for morning-sickness) cause it's only been on the market for 8 years and I don't consider that safe enough.

So here was my solution: I called a wonderful organization called motherisk in Toronto (where I'm from) www.motherisk.org and they told me about Diclectin. It's 12.5mg of unisom (doxylamine) and 25mg Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine). You can buy unisom over the counter and split pills, also B6 is readily available. I took it at least three times a day once I found that it worked so well. It did not relieve my nausea, but it made me less unstable, which is to say that I vomited less and was able to eat a little bit.

Some info about Diclectin: Diclectin is perscribed to 20% of pregnant women in Canada and is widely used around the world as a safe drug to treat morning sickness. It was removed from the market in the US in the early 80s because of litigation from mothers who claimed that it caused birth defects in their children. Since then, it has been shown that the incidence of birth defects in children whose mothers took Diclectin is identical to the incidence of children whose mothers did not. It has been on the market since the early 1960s.

After about 20 weeks, my morning sickness slowly subsided and I have since had a healthy and normal pregnancy, gaining back the weight I lost plus another 25lbs!!! (I'm still only 30 wks!) I just hope this babe will weigh less than ten pounds!

To those of you who are suffering - I wish you strength and moments of relief. Diclectin really worked for me - it was the only thing that did. Best of luck to you and congratulations!

[sunmountain]

On a different note...the amount of stress in my life greatly contributed to the severity of my morning sickness. Take it easy, put your feet up, make sure you are well hydrated if nothing else, and take some vitamins w/o iron. A chiropractic visit may also be in order, unfortunately I didn't find out about that kind of relief until my 3rd pregnancy. Protein helps, too, but carbs might be better, it all depends on your body. Crystalized ginger worked wonders for me--my co-op had that.

[bebe luna]

I think part of the reasons eating often helps curb morning sickness is because it helps keep our blood sugar levels stable. That said, I advise to avoid the simple carbs and sugars- for reasons of creating unstable blood sugar levels and upsetting the endocrine system, and instead eat plenty of complex carbs (whole grains, legumes, root vegetables), as well as frequent small servings of non-greasy, low-fat protein (baked tofu, yogurt, soy milk, baked or broiled fish or chicken, etc.)

I also agree w/ what sunmountain said about stress- I also found it important to rest and keep stress low. I turned to acupuncture and shiatsu to help w/ some of this, as well as frequent baths, deep breathing, reading, and good nights sleep.

[in8]

I empathize with you! It does get better. For me, getting enough sleep was a HUGE factor! I got a minimum of 10 hours during my worst times (minus time for getting up to pee). I also brought food to bed with me and saltines did not cut it. I had cut up fruit, dried fruit, gatorade, water, and wheat crackers with almond butter. Plus, I found that if I had a protein smoothie or yogurt right before bed, that I slept better. During the day, I kept snacks with me all of the time. I found that comfort foods were best for me...like pizza, Amy's organic mac n'cheese, and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. I often did not have the perfect pregnancy diet that I thought I should have (broiled fish, veggies, no sweets, etc) because the mere thought of those foods made me gag! I felt very guilty until enough professionals reassured me that you should just eat what you can. Oh, crytallized ginger, peppermint candies and tea, chiropractic care and accupuncture have all been wonderful to me. Oh, and keep some snacks in your car in case travel sickness ever creeps up on you.

[karenpl]

I have suffered from morning sickness every pregnancy and know how hard it can be. I have to admit that there wasn't much that really helped very well, but time. During my last pregnancy I wrote an article about 10 ways to deal with morning sickness, if you are interested you can read it at http://www.geocities.com/~plomp/articles/morningsickness.html
.

What I found the hardest was still having to cook dinner and feed the kids while I was feeling tired and sick and no food sounded appealing. It helped to know that this was only temporary though, and that it would subside somewhere between 16 and 20 weeks. A lot of people see their nausea subside in the second trimester, so hang in there!

[organicmama]

karenpl, it really helped me to read your reply. I haven't been on the boards much lately (though I'm a long time member). I'm 15 weeks pregnant with my 3rd baby. I had morning sickness before but not this bad & not for this long. I was pretty much over it by 13 weeks with them. I'm so tired of being so sick... I've been trying so hard to be patient but I'm getting discouraged. You said it gets better between 16-20 weeks...I'll try to hang on a little longer! Thanks!

[NaturalJoy]

If you're into homeopathy, which is very safe during pg, this article might interest you. Scroll about 1/2 way down and you'll see some m/s symptoms and might find a remedy that applies best to you. Hope you feel better soon!
http://www.ihr.com/homeopat/pregnanc.html

[Julie]

I found salty potato chips to be one of my best treatments for morning sickness Id just suck on a chip for a bit and it often helped. Ginger tea helped alot, altoids (for the pepermint, candycanes workd as well but were full of sugar)

[motherdownunder]

I vomited day and night for 3 months with this baby (and still occasionally for the rest of the pg, now 37 1/2 weeks). I tried everything including ginger, acupuncture, vitamins, saltines before getting up, etc. The only thing I wish I had tried that was suggested was hypnotherapy, but I didn't hear about it until 12 weeks and optimistically thought it was nearly over.

Anyway, in the end I think the best advice was to eat whatever you can that will stay down or make you feel better. I went about 2 weeks on hot chips and jelly (I know, poor baby, but the baby will take vitamins, etc. from your reserves and leave you to suffer the consequences later) I also found that the only thing that could stop me from vomiting, though not from feeling ill, was to chew peppermint gum constantly. I hate gum.

This too will pass.....

Mary

[jjquilter]

Just for those of you out there who are suffering through morning sickness as badly as I had it -- many people gave me lots of advice from their experience and little helped.

I know I'm not a big whiner because the people at motherisk told me that less than 5% of people lose more than 5% of their body weight (which I did) and have "morning sickness" as badly as I did. After many weeks of not seeing anyone other than my best friend (who cleaned my house), my mother-in-law (who also cleaned my house and made me jello) and my husband (who tried to feed me spoonfuls of ginger ale until I figured out that it was causing me to throw up and threatened me with strawberry ensure if I couldn't keep anything down), I just smiled sweetly at those who gave me advice. After a while of being sweet, I just flat out told people that they couldn't possibly understand what I was going through if they were sure that more sleep, ginger candy, saltine crackers, peppermints, eating before getting up in the morning (most mornings I couldn't get up) or anything else would cure me. I had tried it all.

In the end, time cured all... but it was a month an a half of hell and then another month and a half of recovery. I'm just glad that I was able to keep down watered down gatorade and began peeing more than twice a day so I didn't have to check myself into the hospital.

What stayed down during those most awful times? small amounts of jello, sorbet, ginger snaps. That's about it. If you're as sick as I was, try whatever you can and don't give up! Oh, and don't watch too many daytime cooking shows. ;)

[cat]

I had read one time that in countries where women didn't eat/drink dairy products, that morning sickness was unheard of. I avoided dairy in the first trimester, and I have to say that my morning sickness was minimal. In fact, mornings were my best time! I tended to get queasy later in the afternoon or after eating a standard-sized meal versus smaller amounts througout the day. I also drank a "tea" of hot water with fresh lemon in it.

[Aly]

Oh geez, the poor stories that are worse than mine! I'm so sorry. I feel miserable enough. This pregnancy is harder than the first one. I am grateful to feel pretty good when I get up and can eat breakfast. I am so sick and grosed out by food for the rest of the day. I'm sooo grateful that my husband can (and likes to) cook. He's doing all our meals for the time being. I can't stand to go in the kitchen most the time. The smells of cooking!!!! He has to cook with the vent on. And somebody mentioned cooking shows during the day? Oh lordy no. I just about puke dealing with the ads. I feel about as bad as I can get without actually throwing up. I don't know what I would do if I had to cook for Finn all day.... prepare it all in the morning when I felt my best?

Last pregnancy, ginger capsules worked perfectly for me. I'd take two at the first glimmer of nausea, with food. But this time they are just making my stomach too hot feeling. I'm nibbling ginger candies, and that really helps. Esp when I don't imagine I can eat anything. And I swear by eating small amounts often. Everytime I whimp out and don't eat, I get way way way more nausea and headache. A friend had horrible nausea and had to nibble protein every twenty minutes the entire first trimester! Proteins do seem to be key for me. Peppermint tea is nice. For anyone using homeopathics, remember that mint counter acts them.

I appreciate the suggestion about taking snacks to bed. I need to do that. I'm getting hungry in the night, but dread getting up because I can't get back to sleep!

I'm sure looking forward to second trimester, and feeling more energetic. I have a few other health problems that are getting better now too. Im sick of feeling sick and sick of complaining....
Thanks all

[Happy Mom]

I can relate 100%! I suffered from HG (Hypermesis Gravidarium - I don't think I spelled that right! It's been a while) horriably with my twins. This is when your stomach involuntary throws up. I was admitted twice for rehydration and had to take Zofran to reduce the vomiting from 20 times a day to about 3-5 times a day. Sounds made me sick, movement made me sick, certain songs even made me sick! I lost 30 pounds before I started heading on the road to feeling better! At 5 months pregnant with twins I had only gained a few pounds. ( I thank God every day that they grew at a great weight, were full term and very healthy)

My advice - eat what your body tells you! I spent months eating buffalo chicken fingers, pringles & chips and salsa! (Strange I know!) I made sure I took all natural prenatal vitamins from our herbal pharmacist, and drank lots of water. (When it stayed down!) Being pregnant with twins, I needed extra protein! (100 grams per day to be exact!) By the end of 9 months, I hoped I'd never see another egg & cheese breakfast sandwich! Your body goes through so much when pregnant, you just need to listen to what is saying and go with it!!

Best of Luck!!



:)

[Née Née]

some pregnant women I know swear by some product called "preggo pops" I believe you can get them online, but they say they are essentially a sour sucker, so I guess sucking on sour candies may do the trick for some!!

Good luck:thumb

R.

[Iris]

I read that when you get semi-dehydrated that the nausea level increases.

[Iris]

I may just be imagining things but i think Red Raspberry leaf tea helps! I am only in the beginning throes of morning sickness but so far each time i sip raspberry leaf tea I feel tons better! Call me crazy. I'll let you know. Any one else tried it?

[Happy Mom]

I was also told that raspberry leaf tea helps with morning sickness. (Of course I couldn't keep down water, so the tea didn't go over too well.) I was also told that if you drink the raspberry leaf tea in the last trimester, it strengthens the muscles in the uterus to help aid with delivery. One thing that did help me was acupuncture! I would highly recommend it, and if your healthcare covers it, all the better! My health care did not cover it, but at that point, I did not care!! I'd rather make payments than throw up all day long. Another thing that is known to help morning sickness is protein. It keeps your blood sugar level at a good level. So, when in doubt, grab some peanuts!! (Or eggs, or cheese!!) :D

[organicmama]

I just thought I'd update everyone. I'm 19 weeks along today. A little over a week ago, I finally started feeling better. I've gained back 1 of the 3 pounds I lost. I'm not vomiting anymore & my energy is coming back. I was beginning to think it would never end. I think I'm going to live. Lots of love to all those still in the throws of morning sickness. Hopefully, I'm moving on.

[sunmountain]

So glad you are feeling better, organicmama. How about you, lil love, and anyone else that was feeling icky? Mine always went away by 20 weeks, glad to hear you're getting your strength back!:)

[homebirthmama]

Hi Lilove
I have been thinking a lot about you and was wondering how it was going? I hope you are feeling better...let us know if you have a minute! :)

[KKmama]

I could have written a lot of these posts... yeah, I lost 10 pounds, yeah I barfed all the time for months, nothing worked, got tired of advice, yadda yadda yadda.;)

I finally just started eating whatever tasted the best coming back up. I know that sounds terrible, but I just wanted to minimize the trauma. Breakfast cereal is not bad. Bananas, frozen mango chunks... Even though gatorade is nasty, I'm absolutely positive that slowly sipped gatorade kept me from being hospitalized a few times.

Just pay attention to your body, pay attention to anything that gives you any relief at all. Get plenty of rest--I think all the barfing is hard on one's body.

Think about the end result--morning sickness is supposed associated with good pregnancy results ("strong pregnancy"). I have a wonderfully healthy and active 7 mo old son now... I'd do it again for him (and I probably will for his future siblings;) !).

Good luck!

Kristine

[Née Née]

Does anyone else feel like tossing their cookies 24/7 ??? :sick I dont remember it being this bad with DS, I am at my wits end, how do I make it stop. I find that if I eat constantly its not as bad, but has anyone ever taken something that gave them instant relief. I am feeling so gross, like barely functional, any advice would be greatly appreciated. I have tried those wristbands before, and they didnt work!!

TIA,

Love REnee :help

[Elismama]

I had a fair bit of nausea during my first trimester. I used to drink a cup of raspberry leaf tea when it struck, or nibble on crystallized ginger.

hang in there,
jeanie

[emmaline]

slice of ginger in a cup of boiling water, +/- a little honey

[saige]

Poor sweetie.I have some red rasberry leaf tea I'll bring you tommorrow if you want.Does this mean I've lost my massuse?

[gauge14iv]

Vitamin B works WONDERS!!!!!!!

[saige]

I cant beleive I forgot about that!! Vitamin B is the only thing that finally made me feel better! You can get a B complex at shoppers.

[Née Née]

i think I will try the Vit B, and then move on to the other suggestions after!!

Thanks alot guys!!

Ren:p

[PuppyFluffer]

The taste and smell of lemon really helped me. I had a bar of lemon verbena soap that I'd just hold under my nose and inhale deeply and it seemed to ease it a bit. I ate lots of lemon drops and those Claire's Organic Lemon candies are wonderful! I threw up from week 7 to week 18. I'm 31 now. No matter what I did, I was going to puke every morning. I found that eating a Tums to cut the stomach acid and a half a fresh apple started me off every day. I'd get up , throw up the apple then get going. I never had the nausea, just the vomiting that would come on short notice. I hope you feel better soon!

[nimamom]

I'm sorry Renee!

All the before mentioned ideas are good ones! You could also try making sure to eat protein rich snacks, try Anise or Fennel seed tea, depending on the type of nausea homeopathics sometimes help, Ipecac 30x, or Nux vomica 6x. The B6 supplementation can work well too! Once you get a handle on it though, preventing low blood sugar by eating all the time can keep it from getting worse sometimes!
Good luck!

[gauge14iv]

Vitamin B works WONDERS!!!!!!!

[Cygnet09]

I'm so sorry, Renee. I am actually not feeling anything, but instead of enjoying it I am worrying.

Anyway, a recent study showed that acupuncture has an excellent effect on nausea. Three groups were involved in the study: One was given acupuncture on known anti-nausea points, one was given acupuncture close to, but not directly on the same points, and the third was given the usual dietary and nutritional info. The group given accurate acupuncture showed the largest improvement. So it is definitely worth it to look into an acupuncturist near you. My husband is a veterinary acupuncturist, so I fortunately have one in my home - and I will use him if I develop nausea! It was awful with DD.

Good luck!

[Née Née]

Alis, wow, your DH is a veterinary accupuncurist, that is so cool, I wish my DH was a veterinarian, as it would save us a whole pile of money every year. I actually did accupuncture with DS at a Dr. if Chinese medicine, so she definately knew her stuff, but it didnt seem to do a thing, so I quit!

Nimamom- I am trying like you say to eat often, its just so tedious, I feel like some kind of "food pit", sent Dh out last night for muffins and doughnuts, needed something cakey and white.. how horrible, but seemed to help!

Puppy fluffer- I really like the sounds of lemon candies, I will have to look for those!!

I'm a little afraid of trying the red raspberry leaf tea, as I have read that it can cause contraction of the uterus.. . call me paranoid but..

ANyway, thanks again everyone for the super ideas, there has got to be something out there to help, other than sleep, :rotflmao

Off to eat breakfast, lots of protein, bacon and eggs if I can stomach it!!

Love REnee:hippie

[ekblad9]

I have vitamin B-6. Will that work for the queasiness as well? If so, how much should you take?

[Earthymama]

what worked for me were ordinary scotch mints. they are the round white mints. they are not the icky chalky ones, but the smooth ones. theya rent terribly good for u, but sucking on them helped me function
Earthymama

[CrunchyGranolaMom]

How much B6? My multis have something like 30 mcg in them (which it says is 1300% RDA). Anyone have a recommended amount? My nausea is certainly better when I take my vits than when I don't....

[robynberkley]

I used "sea bands" which is accupressure (can be bought in any pharmacy) and that helped minimize, not eliminate my nausea. I also tried to eat a little bit every few hours and keep my protein level up. Ginger candies (likely available in an asian food store) were helpful too! Nausea disappeared when I was sucking on them but returned almost instantly when I was finished!

Cheers...Robyn

[CrunchyGranolaMom]

I saw my mw yesterday, and she said that I could take up to 150 of B6 (ymmv, I suppose, so check w. your own provider if unsure of the exact amount for you).

She also recommended NOT eating and drinking at the same time. She said to eat a few crackers when I wake up, then, an hour later, to drink. Couldn't stomach that today b/c I'm always really dry when I wake up, and then, of course, as soon as I drank, the nausea came and I needed to eat....

My acupunctursit gave me small band-aids w. teeny magnets in them. I put them on my wrists at the same spot where the acupressure point for nausea is. They are much more low-profile than wearing the Sea Bands (which, frankly, is like wearing a neon sign saying "I'm Pregnant" [to those 'in the know' at least]).

hang in there everyone!