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11 nausea remedies (which just might work)
Bub Hub E-Newsletter, December 2006, Issue 53 - Article 2



 

Being pregnant is one of the most incredible, life-changing, amazing experiences you'll ever have, but let's face it, it does have its downsides and morning sickness is one of them.

Sure, some women don't experience it (the lucky buggers), but for 75% of us, according to our own readers' survey, it's an unavoidable curse.

Morning sickness (don't be fooled - it can strike at any time of the day or night) hits most of us during the first trimester, particularly during weeks six through to 13. Admittedly we're talking about only a brief period of time here, but as anyone who has gone through it will tell you, those early weeks can feel like months, especially if they're spent wrapped around a toilet bowl or puking into the kitchen sink.

If this happens to you, try not to worry. As they say, this too shall pass.

But in the meantime, why not try one of our remedies. They might sound unusual, kooky even, but they work. And as any pregnant, nauseous woman will tell you, that's really all that matters.

  • 1. You may have known that seasickness can be treated with a set of 'sea bands', bands that fit around your wrist and apply pressure to relieve nausea, but guess what, they ease morning sickness too. Pick up a pair at your pharmacy for about $20. If you're the do-it-yourself type pop a dried kidney bean over the anti-nausea pressure point (the inside of your forearm about 10 centimetres from the wrist) and hold it in place with an adhesive bandage. Leave it there for as long as it takes.

  • 2. Certain herbs can stop morning sickness dead in its tracks says Janette Roberts, pharmacist, clinical nutritionist and co-author of The Natural Way to A Better Pregnancy (Doubleday - $36.95). Specific herbs for nausea include black horehound, meadowsweet, wild yam, peppermint, lemon balm, aniseed, squaw vine and peach leaves. These can be taken in fluid extract, tablet or capsule form. See our listings of naturopaths, herbalists and homeopathists near you.

  • 3. Tuck into a little licorice. Research has found that licorice tea can calm the stomach and ease mild nausea. If the very thought makes you feel woozy, try natural licorice drops or licorice in candy form. It's cheap as chips and it tastes great. Better still, it works.

  • 4. Take a daily dose of Vitamin B6. Recent research carried out in both the States and in Thailand showed that women who took 25 milligrams of B6 every eight hours had significantly less vomiting and nausea than women who took a placebo (a pretend pill). Get yours from the pharmacy, grocery store or health food shop.

  • 5. Tart and tangy, lemons are something of a wonder cure when it comes to morning sickness. Pop a slice into a mug of piping hot water and sip slowly throughout the day. You can also try lemon juice in ice water or, if you're really keen (or for that matter desperate), suck on a slice of the real thing. Might sound crazy to the non-pregnant but hey, if it works...

  • 6. Okay, so Tim Tams by the truckload aren't going to do you or your baby the world of good, but they won't do any harm either. And desperate times call for desperate measures, says Soulla Chamberlain, 33, mother of William, 14 months. "For the first three months eating junk food was the only thing that made me feel any better," says Soulla. "Chocolate, chips, you name it. As long as I had something in my tummy the nausea stayed away... sort of. I'm usually a strict macrobiotic vegetarian so to be eating highly processed food came as a bit of a shock." A shock maybe, but effective all the same. The final word - if junk food is all you can keep down then go ahead and tuck in. It's better than starving.

  • 7. It might sound far-fetched but research has shown that positive thinking can make an impact on mild nausea. When it hits, find yourself a comfy spot and relax. Take a few deep breaths. Then, focus on relaxing your body from head to toes. As you feel the tension evaporate remind yourself that you're not technically ill, just pregnant and soon you will feel just like your old self again. Have a chat to your body and thank it for caring for your unborn child.

    If your nausea is at all anxiety or fear related try a positive affirmation. Not sure what to say? Try the following; "I accept fear and move forward knowing courage is my guide".

  • 8. Rest, rest and rest some more. "Physical or mental fatigue can increase the risk of morning sickness and exacerbate symptoms," writes Heidi Murkoff, co-author of What To Expect When You're Expecting (HarperCollins - $39.95).

    Clip this paragraph out and show it to everyone you know. Then, insist that they cook the dinner/clean the house/balance the cheque book etc etc.

  • 9. If sweet smells soothe you get a hold of an oil burner and light up a candle quick sticks. Try burning five drops of any of the following essential oils: lavender, pettigrain, spearmint, lemon, coriander or bergamot.

    These specific oils all create a healthy, therapeutic aroma that works to calm your wobbly tummy. And your house will smell terrific too.


 

  • 10. The Chinese herbal formula Bamboo and Hoelen is said to be good for nausea in pregnancy. Talk to a Chinese herbalist and see if this might work for you. To find a practitioner near you, see our listings of local chinese medicine therapists for pregnancy.

  • 11. Last, but not least, try the yoga move the 'tongue pull'. "It's a fairly eccentric remedy but it sometimes works when nothing else will do the trick," says Francesca Naish, herbalist, hypnotherapist and co-author of The Natural Way to A Better Pregnancy (Doubleday - $36.95). Grasp your tongue using a dry, clean cloth and pull it straight out, until it feels quite strained and uncomfortable, then hold it for 30 seconds. Feels weird, looks even weirder, but heck it's worth a try.

 

NB: Talk to your obstetrician or midwife before you try any of the above remedies. That way he or she can discuss whether they're suitable for you. Also, bear in mind that while mild nausea during pregnancy is the norm, serious illness is not. If you're feeling particularly unwell, are unable to keep food or water down, are not gaining weight or you're losing weight, speak to your health care worker immediately.

 

This article is written by Kelly Baker.

Story originally appeared in Pregnancy & Birth, November/December 2006 and is part of an ongoing series kindly supplied by Emap Publications.

For these and other great stories, check out the issue on sale now.

 
 


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