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Pregnancy sickness
Started
by Jackie
on October 23, 2009
Hi- I wondered if anyone could give me some tips on natural remedies for pregnancy sickness. With my first child I had to take Zophran (anti naseau meds they usually give to people on chemo) because I was so sick. I'd really like to avoid that with this pregnancy but I need something to replace it. Anyone been through this and found something that helped? I do know about ginger, but that doesn't seem to do much for me.
Hi Jackie, There is an acupuncture point on the inside of the wrist that is helpful for nausea associated with pregnancy. It is also safe. Use three fingers to measure from the inside of your wrist crease. In between the two main tendons on the inside of your wrist, three finger widths from the crease of the wrist is where the point is located. The idea is to press on the point when you are feeling nauseous. You can use your fingernail to dig a little bit until you get a nervy sensation. Alternately pressing either wrist one at a time while taking one or two deep breaths offers some people temporary relief.
There is even a band that you can buy from some pharmacies or health food stores that either stimulate the point with a small stainless steel knob or even a battery and electrical contacts. Some patients have reported benefits from those products.
All of the other normal things may or may not be helpful. Keeping your stomach full by eating constantly, avoiding foods that are high in fat or protein that are more difficult to digest, reducing or eliminating caffeine and those sorts of things. If the nausea is worst in the morning you may want to keep something small to eat by your bedside. Wake up extra early, eat a few saltines and then wait an hour or so before you get up.
If you are actively vomiting and unable to gain weight or even if you are losing weight, you may want to consider having acupuncture treatment. It is safe and effective.
Hi Jackie, I second the acupressure point! Also, soak 1 umeboshi plum in hot water for 5 minutes & sip as a tea. I too had a rough 1st trimester. Hang in there & congrats on your new baby. :)
Hi Jackie! When I was pregnant with my last child I was so ill every day to the point of passing out. It was discovered to be caused by my pre-natal vitamins. When I stopped them I stopped being ill. Also I was totally carnivore then and all meat and dairy made me ill as well so I ate only rice and vegetables with little fruit for sweet. I was the healthiest I ever have been then. I have a history of premie births and the last one was only 1 week early and almost 7 lbs. My other two children were in the 5 lbs range. My son's father is from Laos and he did all of our cooking during my pregnancy. His people eat very fresh foods every meal. He liked to say the best restaurant was our kitchen. Good luck and congrats on the baby.
i would try very hard to eat as superhero as possible...this way your body will have maximum nutrition and not have anything that makes you sick....stay away from chocolate. see macro councilor before taking meds.thats what i would do...good luck!
Hi Jackie, I see it's been a little while since your post but thought I would give some suggestions too. Like Justin, I am an acupuncturist too. Treating pregnancy is one of my specialties. If you tend to be at all moody, normally get PMS and breast tenderness then drinking water with lots of lemon and lime in it can be really helpful. If you don't have those things you can try ginger tea. I usually tell people to experiment a little with which works best. If those ideas and the wrist acupressure don't work, acupuncture is really useful and in my experience often helps in just a couple treatments. GOod luck!
I heard there is a ginger tea from Whole Foods (I am sure you can also find elsewhere) that chemo patients take to help with feeling nauseated. It's worth a try! My friend drank during her pregnancy and it helped her morning sickness. I had my head in the toilet/trash can for the first four months when I was pregnant with my daughter...I plan to try it when i am pregnant baby number 2! Hope you feel better soon! ;)
oh, i see Sara just recommended the ginger tea. Sorry for the duplicate response!
Acupuncture was the only thing that helped me. I went religiously every week for a while. I too was on Zophran for a short while and hated relying on it. Ginger didn't work for me either. I would definitely do the acupucture. Good luck and God bless.
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