Top Five Homecare Tips for Morning Sickness
Top Five Homecare Tips for Morning Sickness
Morning sickness is a real drag and can add to the physical and emotional stress that you may already be experiencing during your pregnancy. Although morning sickness is a common problem which is normal in the early stages of pregnancy, this fact does not necessarily make it any easier to deal with. So if you are suffering from morning sickness, what can you do to help yourself?
Our Top Five Homecare Tips for Morning Sickness, From a Traditional Chinese Medicine Perspective:
1. Stay Hydrated
It is vital that you stay hydrated if you are suffering from morning sickness, especially if you are regularly getting sick. Although you might be finding it challenging to hold fluids down, you need to find a way of getting more water into your body to replace what you are losing each time you are sick. If you are finding it hard to keep large amounts of water down, the best way to consume more fluids is by taking small, regular sips. Some women find that sucking ice cubes or watery fruit such as oranges or melon helps. Soups and broths are another excellent way to increase your fluid intake if you can keep them down.
Keep an eye out for any signs of dehydration such as thirst, dry lips or mouth, and passing urine less frequently than usual. If you notice any of these signs, contact your physician who may recommend that you visit your local hospital to receive intravenous fluids.
2. Try Ginger Tea
Ginger is a spice which is traditionally used in Chinese herbal medicine to stop nausea and vomiting. Ginger is gently warming and has the effect of soothing the Stomach and Spleen, the primary digestive organs in Chinese medicine. This traditional herbal remedy is entirely natural and safe to use during pregnancy.
To brew ginger tea, take a piece of ginger root around the size of your thumbnail. Finely grate and steep it in boiling water for around 10 minutes. You can also add honey to taste if needed. Sip this tea slowly while it is still warm and you should start to feel some relief. Do not drink more than three cups each day.
3. Snack Regularly
Food might seem unappealing, but it is essential that you eat enough to keep your blood sugar stable and your energy levels topped up. Having small, regular snacks every two hours is ideal, and you will be more likely to keep these down than if you eat three larger meals. Experiment with different foods to see what you can tolerate.
Some snacks which may be helpful include:
• A small handful of almonds
• Porridge made from baby rice or rice flakes
• Potato soup
• Pears
• Grapefruit
• A small handful of dried fruit
• Crackers
• Pasta or noodles
• Egg sandwiches
• Yogurt
Avoid foods which are high in refined sugar such as cakes and cookies. These cause your blood sugar to spike and fall again rapidly, which will result in you feeling even worse.
4. Get Plenty of Rest
It may be tempting to try and carry on as usual if you have morning sickness, but you need to get enough rest. If you find that your nausea is worse at a particular time of day, try to schedule in some relaxation time for then.
You might need to go to bed much earlier than normal or take a nap during the day. Resist the urge to fight through tiredness and listen to your body. It will tell you what it needs!
5. Try Acupressure
Acupressure works in a similar way to acupuncture, by stimulating points on the body surface which help to rebalance your energy from within.
Some of the best acupressure points for morning sickness include the following:
Pericardium 6 – Inner Frontier Gate
This is one of the most famous acupressure points for nausea and vomiting, and it is the point which is stimulated by the anti-sickness wrist bands you can buy in stores. To locate the point correctly, make a fist so that the two tendons on your inner arm stand out. Then take the middle three fingers on the opposite hand and place the ring finger on the crease of your wrist. With your three fingers held close together, you should find the point just next to the tip of your index finger, right between the two tendons. You can stimulate this point with your fingers by applying gentle pressure for 1–2 minutes on each side while taking some deep, calming breaths. Alternatively, you can place the button on your anti-sickness wristbands directly over this point for more sustained relief.
Kidney 27 – Shu Mansion
This point relaxes the chest and harmonizes the Stomach to stop nausea and vomiting. It is one of the most useful acupressure points for morning sickness.
To find the point, use the fingers on both hands to feel along the bottom of your collarbone. You should feel a slight arch in the bone, around three finger-widths from the center of your breastbone, and this is where the point is located. Use the thumbs or fingers of both hands to gently press down on the point for 1–2 minutes, while breathing deeply. Repeat as often as necessary.
If You Need Help
Call us to schedule an appointment 773.878.7330, acupuncture is a natural and effective way to stop morning sickness.
Dr. Marlena Siroki, DACM, L.Ac. is an Acupuncturist in Chicago at Ravenswood Chiropractic & Wellness Center in Andersonville. Dr. Marlena, DACM, L.Ac., received her Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in Chicago. She is a Nationally Board-Certified Acupuncturist and Herbalist and Diplomate of Oriental Medicine, certified by the National Certificate Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.
