Healthy Chicks

Like I mentioned in my first trimester recap, the nausea and vomiting kicked in for me around week 6, and lasted the entire first trimester.

For those of you who are suffering from “morning sickness” like me (ahem, it’s really any time of day), you are totally not alone and there is hope! While I haven’t been able to figure out how to make it go away, I have come up with a few tricks to at least make it a bit more manageable. Here are my top 6 must-haves:

1. Bone Broth

It’s no secret that I’m totally obsessed with bone broth, but I didn’t know how essential it’d be throughout my pregnancy! During times when my nausea would flare up and I couldn’t even look at food, bone broth provided a nourishing, nutrient-rich alternative I could get down with.

My go-to during the first trimester has been Five Way Foods chicken broth, since there’s something about chicken broth that’s healing for the soul. My favorite way to enjoy it is just as is in a big ol’ coffee mug, which makes me feel all hip and cool since I’m not drinking coffee during my pregnancy, nor do I have any desire to. Pretty weird, huh? That’s pregnancy hormones for you!

Not only is bone broth something that I could actually get down, but it’s also loaded with health benefits. Win, win! For one, it’s loaded with minerals and healthy fats (which I likely wasn’t getting enough of through food). Plus the gelatin and collagen in the broth (that jelly looking stuff) is great for promoting gut health and keeping skin firm and healthy, respectively. Want more info on the endless benefits of bone broth? Dr. Axe did a great job outlining the health benefits, including citing various studies.

2. Citrus Fruit + Essential Oils

Citrus has been a huge relief once the nausea hits! Oranges and clementines were my best friends during the first couple months, and many nights my dinner would consist of a clementine and chips. Glamorous, I know!

I’m super sensitive to smells right now as well, so having wild orange essential oil on hand has been a huge life-saver. I can’t even stand the smell of our apartment when I come home from being outside, so we’re constantly diffusing orange essential oil. If you don’t have essential oils on hand, even smelling the peel of an orange or lemon or sipping on cool water with fresh lemon can be super soothing. During extra rough nights, placing a cool rag on my head as I fell asleep felt really nice.

3. Crystalized Ginger

During the first few months, raw crystalized ginger was my go-to for bouts of nausea. It wouldn’t stop it altogether, but it was especially great to have on-hand when I had to teach a workshop, we were hanging with friends or while driving to at least delay it for a while until I got home sweet home. I’d just take a small piece and suck on it for some relief. For some reason, a few weeks ago, ginger starting grossing me out, so I’ve been doing lemon water instead for similar relief.

4. Small Snacks + Protein

This one’s tricky, since when you’re feeling like crap, eating is literally the last thing on your mind. However, I will say the general advice to snack on crackers or small bites throughout the day really does help if you can get it down! I make sure to have Organic Living Superfoods energy squares and dried strawberries, chips, crackers or cereal on hand for easy snacking throughout the day even when I’m not hungry. On the days I eat more (Super Bowl party, lunch with my mom) I actually didn’t throw up so I think there’s definitely something to it!

I reached out to acupuncturist and author of Yes, You Can Get Pregnant Aimee Raupp for some advice, and she said protein is a biggie. She recommends starting your day with 30-40 grams of protein, and eating the moment you wake up — even if it’s sneaking it into a smoothie or sucking on some almonds. Since then, I’ve made it a point to squeeze protein powder into my smoothies in the morning, and snack on crackers with peanut/almond butter, small bits of natural cheddar cheese or as of recent hard-boiled eggs to up my protein intake.

5. Local Raw Honey

This one doesn’t stop nausea in it’s tracks, but it’s a must have for soothing a sore throat! After throwing up, the stomach acid and coughing can put a lot of strain on your throat causing it to burn. It’s really hard to get down anything, even water without it hurting like hell. Local raw honey to the rescue!

Luckily for me, my grandpa harvests his own honey, and we’ve always got a jar on hand. Immediately after throwing up, I always take a teaspoon for instant relief. Sometimes, I’ll enjoy it with hot water and lemon, which I sip super slowly. Honey is also great for your health, as it contains natural antibacterial properties — perfect for cold and flu season!

6. Meditation

Again, I’m not saying meditation is going to prevent nausea, but it definitely helps shift my mindset when I’m feeling particularly down. I use the Expectful meditation app, since I love that they have meditations for every part of your pregnancy — trying to conceive, each trimester and even new mom. My favorite meditations are Preparing for Sleep, Trusting the Body, Connection and Beginning the Day. Start your free trial here!

To my pregnant friends and moms out there, did you struggle with morning sickness? If so, what did you find provided some relief?