Nausea and Vomiting in the First Trimester
I recently met with Sarah, a vibrant mom-to-be who’s been navigating the ups and downs of pregnancy with the usual excitement and a few unexpected challenges. Like many women in their first trimester, Sarah has experienced the all-too-common morning sickness, which has made her feel queasy and drained.
We aren’t entirely sure why some pregnant women experience morning sickness, but we suspect that hormone changes play a big role. Fortunately, most women find that their symptoms improve after the first trimester. There are also many simple methods that can make a significant difference.
Strategies for Dealing With Morning Sickness in the First Trimester
Here are some strategies Sarah and I talked about to help ease her nausea and vomiting, which she found really helpful.
Increase protein intake
Low blood sugar can make nausea much worse. Eating some protein every 2 hours is very helpful in stabilizing blood sugar throughout the day. This helps prevent nausea from settling in when blood sugar would normally be dropping after the last meal.
Some examples of protein sources include fish, chicken, eggs, nuts, seeds, nut butters, and hummus. While crackers can be helpful in settling the stomach, it’s best to combine them with higher protein options such as a handful of almonds, a brown rice cake with almond butter, or a protein shake.
Eat small frequent meals throughout the day
Nausea tends to worsen when the stomach is completely empty or overly full. Eating small frequent snacks or meals, every 1-2 hours helps prevent an empty or overly full stomach to help keep the nausea at bay.
Fresh air and aromatherapy
Some people are triggered by stuffy rooms or certain strong odors such as perfumes or chemicals. Getting outside in the fresh air helps clear exposure from these scents and can improve nausea. Aromatherapy can also be helpful, such as smelling some lavender, lemon, or peppermint essential oil.
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 is a very helpful nutrient for nausea. Food sources of Vitamin B6 include salmon, chicken, chickpeas, dark leafy greens, oranges, and bananas. Vitamin B6 can also be taken as a nutritional supplement, given as an intramuscular injection, and is included in some prescription medications for nausea.
Ginger
Ginger is fantastic for easing nausea. This warming, anti-inflammatory and tasty herb soothes and settles digestion. It also stimulates gut motility, the propelling of food through the gut by the muscles of the intestines. Ginger tea can be brewed with the fresh root or with premade dried ginger tea bags and drank daily. It can also be added to meals such as vegetable dishes, curries, or soups, or taken as a concentrated extract.
If you, like Sarah, are dealing with morning sickness, these gentle remedies might just offer the comfort you need.
Interested in a thorough discussion and a treatment plan tailored to you? Contact our office to schedule an appointment with one of our naturopathic doctors!
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Dr. Caitlan Gignac. ND
Naturopathic Doctor San Jose
408-356-1364
