I never knew that Kate Middleton and I would have so much in common. Not exactly the part about living in a castle and having an unlimited clothing budget. But the Duchess of Cambridge and I do share one unique gift – having round-the-clock morning sickness with our first babies.
That stuff isn’t for sissies.
Don’t get me wrong – I am absolutely THRILLED to be expecting a little bundle of joy next summer. My husband and I were delighted when we found out we were pregnant, and can’t wait to hold that precious boy or girl in July.
But I should have known I was in for a wild ride, since my first “sign” of pregnancy was when I mistakenly thought I’d gotten food poisoning. Only this food poisoning was different, because I just couldn’t shake it. And that’s how I’ve felt ever since – like I have food poisoning, 24-hours a day, seven days a week, and it’s been like that for two months now.
So like any first-time mom, I’ve solicited advice from those women who have gone before me and been through the same thing. According to one online article, morning sickness affects 75 percent of women, so I know I’m in good company.
Here are my go-to nausea remedies:
Crackers (in my purse, in my car, next to my bed – I don’t go anywhere without them)
Sour candies (a friend gave me Preggie Pops, but almost any sour candy will do)
Ginger tea
Ginger Ale, Sprite
Any sort of plain carbs – bagels, toast, pasta
Broth-based soups
WATER – I’m amazed at how much better I feel when I drink nothing but water.
Small, frequent meals - Big portions make me sick, as does an empty stomach (especially in the morning, which is why I keep crackers next to my bed).
Gatorade
Salty chips
Sea sick wristbands (I used to think it was hocus pocus, but they really do seem to help.)
All of those, plus an anti-nausea medication have kept me going. I’ll admit I get overwhelmed when I think about possibly feeling nauseous for another few weeks – my only way to cope is to take one day at a time.
And in the meantime, I will dream about the day I go from “green” to glowing. Since I’m 11 weeks along, it should only be a little while longer.
What about you? Any other suggestions for morning sickness fixes, from one mom to another?
Bethe Wright is the Director of Marketing and Public Relations at North Hills Hospital, a wife, and a first-time mom-to-be next summer.
6 comments
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January 3, 2013 at 10:26 am
Rhiannon Hanson
Hi Bethe! Congratulations on you and Mr. Wright’s pregnancy, very exciting news!
When I was pregnant with the twins, I had severe nausea for 14 weeks and it was non-stop. Small meals would help me, as you mentioned above, but medicine never would. My Mom bought me ginger snaps one day and I thought they would not work but they actually did. They helped alleviate sudden waves of nausea and were super delish. Also, my husband would cook dishes with brown rice and would grate whole ginger on my food and that worked miracles. Those ugly spices found at the produce section are miracle workers for pregnant women! We would eat a lot of asian dishes since that is what goes well with ginger. Try to buy some and grate some on a few dishes. I have a good recipe for Nua if you would like me to email it to you. Tip: when you buy the ginger, keep it in the freezer for keep the freshness factor.
I only had nausea for 2 weeks with my first son, Rhys. Preggo Pops worked wonders for me then but I guess having two buns in the oven literally doubled my queasiness factor.
I hope you have instant relief in a few weeks and can enjoy the remainder of your pregnancy.
January 3, 2013 at 12:25 pm
Bethe Wright, Marketing/PR Director
Such great advice Riannon! I’ve eaten some chinese food, hadn’t thought about the connection to ginger. I will definitely have to give it a try.
January 3, 2013 at 10:30 am
Stephanie
awww, bethe! i hate that you are so sick! i always felt worse when i had a lull in my day or extra time to focus on it. (or if i got hungry!) strangely, keeping busy helps. (i say helps, it doesn’t really make it go away!) and also, i think that by the end of my second pregnancy i realized that very few people get the “ideal” pregnancies that the books describe. i had a couple issues i don’t want to announce on the internet… its just one of those things. and once i made peace with the fact that my pregnancy was just how my body did things, i was able to embrace it with a new found energy. i hope you start feeling well soon!
January 3, 2013 at 11:20 am
Bethe Wright, Marketing/PR Director
So true Stephanie – I haven’t met anybody yet who had a completely “ideal” or “normal” pregnancy. We’re in good company!
January 3, 2013 at 3:10 pm
Marcy Shelton
I think I already told you my strange tip (Chick-Fil-A lemonade). But you are totally right, pregnancy is most definitely not for sissies! I hope you wake up one day very soon and find that the morning sickness has vanished.
January 3, 2013 at 3:17 pm
Bethe Wright, Marketing/PR Director
I’m not sure I can handle lemonade, but I’m sure drinking a lot of the fruit punch Gatorade! Thanks for the well wishes! I have total respect for you and Rhiannon who carried twins!