Published on November 1st, 2018 and Updated on March 15th, 2022
According to Mama Natural’s, as much as 80% of moms will experience some kind of tummy upset in their first trimester of pregnancy. If those odds sound a little unsettling, don’t worry. There are plenty of ways to settle your stomach (and your nerves, for that matter) naturally.
Pre-Pregnancy Prep
Let’s start by saying that if you are still in the ‘planning to get pregnant’ phase, there are some great steps you can take proactively that may reduce your chances of having nausea or sickness. These include reducing stress (for adrenal health), reducing alcohol and sugar intake (for liver health) and eating plenty of healthy proteins and fats to stabilize your blood sugar.
If you’re already in the throes of tummy upset and just looking for some sweet relief, here are our best all-natural tips for quelling the quease and enjoying your first trimester a little more:
Snack! (morning and night.)
While this might go against your regular eating habits, it’s time to jump on a new gravy train! (If gravy makes you queasy, a bandwagon will do just fine.)
Back to the point: for many mamas, nausea gets much worse on an empty stomach. Grazing a bit every few hours — so that you never find yourself downright hungry — can help keep the edge off.
Try a salty cracker, potatoes, or avocado to start. If you have a specific craving that sounds appealing, just answer nature’s call. Since there’s a good chance you’ll be feeling better around the 12-week mark, all you need is a short-term solution.
Ginger.
Studies show that ginger helps reduce nausea in some pregnant women. (It’s also great for car sickness and is even used to treat side effects of chemotherapy. That’s powerful!)
While fresh ginger is always best, Gin Gin® ginger chew candies at Trader Joes or Chimes Original Chews work great on the go.=
Note: ginger is thought to be safe in 1500 mg doses or less. Make sure to talk to your doctor before using it in large portions.
Mint.
Your grandmother knew it, your mom knew it (why didn’t she tell you?!) and now you know. Mint is fantastic for treating nausea. In particular, peppermint.
Just like with ginger or any herb, the best option is always to consume it as a fresh leaf. Chewing fresh mint leaves from the garden, or putting them in hot water for tea is a great way to quell that queasy feeling. You can also buy tea bags or source a menthol candy to have on hand.
Have a diffuser? You could even try some aromatherapy (a roll-on peppermint oil is a good option too!)
Acupuncture.
Many women swear by traditional acupuncture treatments as an effective way to treat morning sickness. You can also learn a few quick acupressure points yourself to self-treat when you need a faster solution.
Magnesium.
Some women, especially those with more extreme cases, find magnesium to be very effective. You can try soaking in Epsom salts, which allows for fast-acting absorption through your skin. Plus, who doesn’t love a nice relaxing bath when you’re not feeling so good? Milk of Magnesia, taken as a tablet, is also a great option.
Vitamin B6.
According to research at the University of Michigan, vitamin B6 is a safe and effective treatment for nausea. Their site suggests taking 10 – 25 mg 3 times per day, or as needed.
Even if you’re not feeling good, here’s something that’s sure to cheer you up.
Your baby’s heartbeat will be detectable at around 13-16 weeks, and you can listen to it anytime, anywhere with the SneakPeek® Fetal Doppler.
FDA-cleared and completely safe for in-home use, the Fetal Doppler helps you bond with baby and check in whenever you want to feel connected to your little one.
An at-home Fetal Doppler is not a medical device and should not be used as a substitute for regular prenatal care by a licensed doctor. Be sure to make regular appointments and visits with your OBGYN, midwife, or doula.
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SneakPeek aims to provide the most accurate and up-to-date information to help our readers make informed decisions regarding their health before, during, and after pregnancy. This article was written based upon trusted scientific research studies and/or articles. Credible information sources for this article are cited and hyperlinked.
