Juggling Morning Sickness and Everything Else

Hi S.,

Congratulations on second child!!! I know morning sickness can be rough. I can imagine it is really rough when you have to run a business. Have you tried ginger either ginger root or tea? When I was pregnant with my daughter, someone suggested it to me and it really helped. I'm not big on ginger but I felt so sick I would try anything. I actually drank ginger tea and I felt better fairly quickly.

Hope it helps!

A. D

I just accepted that I wouldn't be as productive. There are good days and bad days and on the bad ones, I just muddled through.

It never quite went away, but I always felt better if I snacked on something...dried fruit, nuts, granola bars, etc. If you wait until you feel hungry, it's too late. The nausea will have already set in. Snack away.

Try eating regardless of how you feel. If you eat at least 6 times a day small meals that will keep your blood sugar more even and help you feel better. If you feel icky eat anyway just keep it bland. The more you do that the faster you will be through this. Go for high protein. Pregnant women need 80-100g of protein per day. for more info. go to blueribbonbaby.org or bradleybirth.com both have excellent preg. diet info.

I commuted an hour and 15 minutes each way to work every day with morning sickness, and munching saltines helped keep it in check. One mom below recommended you try having a saltine or two before you even get out of bed in the morning. Try it! Did not know about ginger until after I had my daughter, but have had some luck with it post-pregnancy. You can buy ginger candies that come from Indonesia at shops like World Market. Good luck!

S. - You've received great advise from what I see, and they help. The other thing that helped me, no one has mentioned. I actually got a OTC anti-nausea medication. Seems to me it was in the stomach section...in a bottle. Check w/your local phamasist for the name and location and pregnancy recommendation... I got mine years ago in another state, and don't remember the name.

HI S.

When I was pregnant my doctor told me to keep some crackers right by my bed and eat one or two before I went to sleep @ night and one or two before I even got out of bed. He said that because you haven't eaten for however many hours that you are asleep(me about 8 hours) your blood sugar drops and so you need something to get you started. It worked for me but sometimes I did have to take the anti-nausea pill approved for pregnant woman. But be careful of them they will make you drowsy. Ask your doctor. I also never waited to eat. I ate a healthy breakfast of fiber cereal after I was dressed and ready to go then around 3 or 4 hours later I would either eat a light snack or eat my lunch then again 3 or 4 hours later I would eat a snack usually sugarfree pudding and then dinner and before bed a couple of crackers. I hope you get through this quickly. L.

Hi S.,

Congratulations on your soon-to-be new addition to the family. This may sound a little strange, but have you tried acupuncture and acupressure? My aunt is an acupuncturist, and besides getting treatments from her, she is a great resource on how to perform acupressure on myself when she's not around. She really helped with my first pregnancy, when I was really nauseous. I know that there is a spot 1/4 down your arm from your wrist that you can apply pressure to and it should help, but it's really best if you go to see someone at least once to get hands-on help. And if you've never tried acupuncture, don't be put off by the whole needle concept. Acupuncture is so completely different from getting needles at the hospital.

Hope this helps.

D.

Hi S.,

I had severe morning sickness with my son as well. I felt fine for the first 2 months and once I hit my 3rd month, I was sick all day everday for a month straight. People recommended ginger, etc. I tried every other recommendation for morning sickness as well. Everyone also told me as soon as I got to my second trimester it would all go away. I felt awful and didn't think it would EVER get better. Sure enough, I got to my second trimester and it completely stopped. Just try to hang it there (I know it is difficult). Also, I know there is sickness that is more severe than morning sickness. I can't remember the name of it, but check with your doctor to make sure aren't suffering from that (particularly if you are dehydrated). Hang in there!!

Zofran worked really well for me. It is very expensive, but I only took a half a pill a day. It was the only way I could work my 10 hour shifts when I was pregnant. I also heard that there was a prenatal vitamin that has some kind of nauseousness medicine in it that could work as well.

I really wish I had known about this mamasource website when I was having morning sickness. It looks like you have so many good ideas already. My dr told me not to let my stomach get empty. Try to eat often throughout the day. Starlight peppermints worked really well for me. Also, saltine crackers help. It looks like others have recommended ginger or wrist bands. I would experiment with what works best for you and go with it. If you can, take some rest periods at work. Sit or lay down for a couple minutes. It seems like the sickness ends around 12 weeks for most people so that is something to look forward to. Good luck!!

As for being tired, I'm sorry I can't help you with that but it will pass! But as for the morning sickness, try lemonade (not diet...get the full sugar kind)and UTZ regular plain potato chips (not ruffles). Eat them together. It worked for me and my OB-GYN even suggested the combo!
You could also try ginger snaps. Something in ginger is supposed to calm your stomach??
I also found that if I didn't eat something as soon as I woke in the morning, I would feel horrible!! So I always made sure my stomach had at least a little something in it, and my queasiness wasn't as bad.
Good luck!!

Hello my name is J. Fulton

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J.

A Member of "The International Home Association of Home Business Entrepreneurs"

I have totally been there. Some mornings it was hard for me to even find the energy to brush my teeth, much less go to work. I taught middle school through my morning sickness. The only relief I found was cinnamon things. I would chew cinnamon gum, suck on fireballs, anything. Most of the time it was pretty effective at keeping being nauseous from turning into running out the classroom to get sick. We were living in Korea at the time so I had never heard of pregopops, but I have heard they work great too. They sell them at Motherhood Maternity. I also had a friend who found sea bands, the bands that put pressure on your wrist for sea sickness, helpful. Hang in there, good luck!

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rlz=1T4GFRC_enUS21...

I am flying to FLorida today, in a hurry, here's a link for a study!!
God Bless!

Get as much rest as possible. I would feel worse when I was tired. also try to eat small snacks throughout the day as you will feel worse if you are tired. Some people found relief with ginger tea and preggo pops. good luck to you, it will pass with time.

Hi S. -

You have my sympathies, when I was pregnant the second time with my daughter I was nauseous basically 24 hours a day. I was going to school and dealing with a very active little boy so it was no fun. I pretty much lived on peppermint and ginger tea and also discovered that celestial seasonings apple cinnamon helped to. I'm not sure if you have tried any of those but they did help. Also the minute I hit my 3 month mark it was gone so hang in there hopefully you're halfway there.

R. A

When I was pregnant with my daughter I went through what you are going through I kept crackers(saltine) with me at all times.

Will power, soda crackers and ginger-ale and lots of each!! with each pregnancy, I suffered worse and worse morning sickness. With my third, it was almost constant and I went to work each morning eating a lot of soda crackers and constantly drinking water and ginger-ale.

Good Luck!! You will get through it.

S.
My heart goes out to you - I don't know why they call it morning sickness, it usually is not just in the mornings, I had it mostly in the evenings and sometimes all day long. With my third child, I threw up all the way to the end. On a good note it does and will end, and you will be blessed with a new and beautiful life. To get through it these things helped - I listed them in the order of my favorites:
Two tablespoons of cola syrup over crushed ice (can be purchased from the Pharmacy , but they keep it behind the counter - so ask your pharmicist. This remedy was the most effective for me.
Spearmint gum
Vitamin B6,
COLD watermelon,
COLD orange slices
COLD ice water with a lemon
G. slices
a warmshower
staying very still (hard to do while chasing a toddler)
stay positive
pray and read inspirational books that will keep you focused on the child you are creating.
I used to talk to myself and everytime I would throw up and think I was dying, I would say to myself - I am creating a healthy lung or a hand or the left foot. I know this sounds weird - but I had to do anything just to get through that moment.
If all else fails - talk to your doctor, there is medication you can take.

Take care, God Bless you
G.

I went through this exactly a year ago - - a three year old, working from home, and morning sickness form weeks 8-16 - it seemed like years. I was sick with my first daughter too and working full time, but when I got home I could sleep for 12 hours. With a three year old, that is not possible. Both times, I was queasy 24 hours/day but only threw-up a handful of times.

So with the second pregnancy, I asked for an anti-nasuea medication. It made a big difference in taking the edge off. I felt a little guilty because I wanted to be medication-free. But I felt so awful - I was getting very stressed out and upset, sleeping all day and seeing my older child watch Seseme Street all morning while I laid in a heap on the couch. Discuss medication options with your doctor and fill a perscription. Even if you never take one pill, it is nice to know it is there (I tried to take them only in the morning when I felt worst and knew my daughter would be awake).

Other things I did included making lots of playdates and scheduling her for 2-3 activities per week. Getting out of the house helped me pass the time and get her away from the tv. Interestingly, I felt better being in the swimming pool - I had thought it would make me seasick, but it actually helped. I also ate lots of fruit and cheese and crackers. Panera is a great restaurant because you can get your son something healthy and they have soup and bread for you - and you don't have to cook.

Other remedies I have heard of - but did not work for me - are ginger and seasickness bands.

I had a healthy baby girl in February. Maybe your hormones are acting up because it's a girl?!? Just remember, it will pass and then you will start enjoying your pregnancy.

SEA BANDS!!! They work like magic!!!

http://www.sea-band.com/seaband.htm

Also, I used peppermint chapstick, peppermint essential oil (rub a drop on your palms and breathe it in), and a homeopathic remedy called Nux Vomica (available in most natural food stores and Whole Foods).

Good luck. I well remember your pain sister!

Jenny

PEPPERMINT!!!
Try Peace of Mind® On-the-spot relief from Origins. I put it on the back of my hand and when I was feeling sick I would just take in a couple of long whiffs abd felt better.
Good Luck!!

S., you have received some awesome suggestions... Ginger has been used for centuries for nausea & is best taken as a tea. Make sure that you consume the water~tea throughout the day... staying hydrated, drinking enough water or non caffeine tea in sips... also as someone recommended, instead of 3 big meals, small, frequent meals every 1 - 2 hours or so will help.
Remember this is temporary, you will get through it. It is due to hormonal changes that will settle & adjust.
You might also consider listening to your body's needs, not push yourself too hard & allow yourself to take it easy! You do have a lovely developing baby in you who needs his~her mommy happy, calm & well... let go of the worries of if you can work. Working from home affords you the flexibility to set your own hours, so you can always wait til you feel better in the day to take care of business. Worry, stress does compound tummy issues, so let go of your worries... You know everything ALWAYS works out great!
Blessings.

Hi S.,

There are pressure points that you can press on your wrist (P6) that will help with nausea.

Here are two web sites:

http://www.biobands.com/morningsickness/cures.htm

http://amazingpregnancy.com/pregnancy-articles/176.html

Hope these help. Good luck.

D.

My doc had me take vitamin B6 3 times a day and 1/2 a unisom at night with the vitamin B6. She said the combination of the 2 help with the nausea. It helped me a lot. It has been alomost 3 years since I was pregnant so you might want to check with your OBGYN to make sure it is still considered safe. I also ate a lot of Italian Ice (like a popsicle but it comes in a bowl) throughout the day to keep something on my stomach.

Oh honey I feel your pain! And I didn't have kid already and I wasn't working (except AF reserves). At first, mint tea and Ginger ale helped. Then pretty much nothing did! The good news is not everyone is as sick as I was, and it's even less likely that you'll be sick all the way through...like I was! Normal women (!) feel better entering the fourth month.

(I, on the other hand, only have one child!)

I would like to recommend a book called "The Girlfriend's Guide to Pregnancy". Written by a woman (Vicki Iovine?) that had four kids in six years. It's hilarious! Anyway, she mentions a friend that was sick all the way through, and she would get up from whatever she was doing, barf, and then calmly get back to what she was doing.

Ask your doctor about a B vitamin, I think it's B12, that helps some with "progesterone poisoning".

Good luck and congratulations!

Assess times of the day you are most nauseated. For me, riding in the car in the morning and afternoon made me ill. So, I ate very small meals throughout day; kept a stash of Saltine crackers for the car, and drank lots of water. (I took ice when I had to ride in the car.) (I hate water, by the way, but needed even more when pregnant.) Nausea was worse when I forgot to nibble, rest, and pay attention to my body. Remember to pace yourself. Yes, you are a businesswoman; however, you are pregnant. Rest is essential. Your body is always working to produce this child, even when you're not moving. Do not stress out yourself and your child. You still have delivery and recovery to endure, and the baby does pick up on your energy levels. It took me a while to realize the baby is always eating when it needs nourishment. If the busy mom forgets to eat to replenish the body, she'll crash. If the neonatals are making you sick, take them after you've had dinner, preferably before bedtime instead of midday when you're more active. As for running a business, we tend to think that if we don't who will <you fill in blank>? Guess what, if you were on disability, the company would still have to function, but your family would fall apart. Start finding ways to create systems of self-sufficiency: simplify processes in the office and seek help. Once you have two very young children, as well as a husband, life gets pretty insane. Take this time to look at not only your business but your home to ensure that things are organized so that you are not distracted by infant care, toddler training, and hubby time as well as household management and business needs. You and the baby need time to bond. Then, you'll need to reassure your son that he's still Mommy's little guy. And, of course, hubby will need to know he's special in your heart. (And, by no means, forget that you are special and need to be replenished.) It'd be nice if you have in-laws or parents that might be able to come in periodically to help manage household (laundry, grocery shopping, cleaning) while hubby helped hold down the office fort, managed finances, and gave you time to rest from children. Hope you find this helpful. You sound happy and excited, and I wish you and your family sincere Congratulations!

Hi, S..

Hopefully it helps just knowing that others have been through the same thing. I experienced morning sickness with all three of my pregnancies. With the first and last (both girls) the sickness gradually went away in the second trimester. With my son, however, I was sick the entire pregnancy.

I kept saltines at the bedside along with a bottle of ginger ale. I didn't even sit up in the morning without first eating a few crackers. I had followed a modified diabetic diet during my first pregnancy so I tried to follow suit with my son. Eating smaller portions with snacks in between so that my stomach always had something on it seemed to help. I also had to avoid restaurants and stores with strong smells as they would set me off.

I purchased some wrist bands that work on the principle of accupressure. They were the best. I may have looked a little goofy, but it beat the alternative. I would definitely recommend looking into those. They are also recommended for people from motion sickness for cruises, etc which is how I heard about them. I let several friends borrow them, and they swore by them as well.

Second pregnancies and beyond are harder just because you are trying to keep up with your first child and can't just stop to rest when you need to. But, you should try. Find some quiet activities that you can do with you son so that you aren't trying to run full force. Take advantage of babysitters even when you are at home. A young teen is great to play with your older child while you watch or rest. You are still available in the event of an emergency. If you are able to be flexible with your work schedule, try to determine when you feel best and work then. . . get up and move around every 20 minutes or so, and powernap when you can. Hopefully you will feel better soon.
Good luck.

Try the seasick wrist bands. You can get them at any drugstore. I had terrible morning and evening sickness and that seemed to help. Also keep saltine crackers by your bed. As soon as you wake (before even attempting to move out of bed) eat a few crackers. Also ask your OB for a prescription if it is too terrible to bear.

Hi S.,

I'm in month 7 of my first pregnancy, so in some sense I feel underqualified to respond. HOWEVER, I had terrible nausea all day long, every day for my first trimester and the sea bands (sea sickness wristbands)worked for me. I see that several folks have recommended them, but didn't include the following information, so here you go. They only work if you wear them ALL THE TIME. Only take them off to shower. They are really tight and can feel uncomfortable, but if you wear them all the time, they really work. I found that my nausea quickly came back if I ever took them off for very long. If I kept them on, I was fine. ALSO, after a while, they begin to lose their elasticity and thus the pressure that makes them work. Depending on how long you struggle with morning sickness, you may need to purchase a 2nd or 3rd pair as you go along. They're not that expensive and you can find them in any local drugstore.

Good luck!

K. P.

Hi,
One possible solution that is not so commonly known is to use acupressure. You can find acupressure bracelets in stores that sell goods for sailing/boating. The braclet is expandable and has a "knob" attached that fits on an acupressure point on the inside of the wrist. This point is about two 2 finger widths from the wrist crease in the center of the wrist. A card comes w/ the braclet to show you how to position it.
This point helps stop nausea/seasickness. Some people swear by it.

Good luck.
A.

S.,

Sorry to hear about your morning sickness. When I was pregnant with my daughter, I was sick all day, every day for about 6 months; so, I know what you're going through. Ginger Ale really helped. Besides laying down to do work on my laptop, that was the only thing that helped. I've heard that some people take ginger supplements. Also, you may want to check with your doctor. At one point, my doctor prescribed a medication to help. Honestly, I never took it because I was able to tough it out until the end of the 5th month before I told him I just couldn't take it anymore and wanted the prescription. By the time I got it, I was starting to feel better.
Good luck,
A.

Hey S.,
Well first off, Congratulations on the new baby.
I only have one child but I knew before my missed period that I was prego b/c I was feeling so sick!! Yeah, it started EARLY!! Two things helped me. Ginger snaps...don't eat them like a normal cookie...kind of nibble/suck on it. I know that sounds weird but if I ate it too quickly I would get sick. Another thing was to always keep something on me to eat. An apple/banana/pear or crackers or something. If I felt sick I would either try and eat something or nibble on a ginger snap. Now, it didn't take it away completely but it made it "manageable". I hope this helps. Congratulations again and GOOD LUCK! =)

I am in exactly the same situation. Week 8 now and it started at week 6. Never had any nausea first time around. Just got accupuncture done today and have been feeling a lot less nauseaous. Will it last beyond today I do not know but I can try to give you an update tomorrow. I've been drinking Northern Neck ginger ale which has helped some. I've also been eating candied ginger which is helping some. Saltines. A lot of water. I'm just trying to get through it.

Oh do I sympathize with you! I was so nauseous my first trimester and prayed to make it to the second at which point I began vommitting daily! YUCK! I tried it all...prenatal vitamins with food, light meals, saltines before putting feet on floor in morning, and finally found that the motion-sickness bracelets helped! They look goofy...like sweatbands with a pressure point, but they worked for me! Good luck!

D.

umm I really sont have anything on that part sorry. I was wondering if you were interested or needing some maternity clothes. I am trying to sell then for my sister n law and getting them out of my house lol.. I hope that you are local .lol.. Keep in touch. Congratulatioon on your new baby!!

J.

ALWAYS keep something in your stomach (a little hard when everything seems unappetizing). Saltines, goldfish, an apple. Whatever sounds least offensive at the moment. Peppermint oil also alleviates nausea. I'd put a drop on the back of my hand and just breathe it in when I needed a lift. I'd also keep things like minty handsoap around for the same reason.
I'm trying to get pregnant again so it was a nice to review all of this :)

S.-
You have a ton of advice, but I didn't see anything that is "today" advice. I am expecting #3 and had NO morning sickness with 1 or 2. I am in my 16th week. I went to the OB last week and found out that they now have a prescription (i think the main ingredient is b12) for nausea that is approved to be taking while pregnant. They also gave me a handful of lolipops that are b12 as well. They worked great. Until then I was drinking Minute Maid light lemonade-the flavor isn't as strong, and that also worked wonders for me. I lived on it for weeks 3-14!
Best of luck, and call your ob!!
V.~

Dear S.,

There is a fabulous motion sickness band that I used when I was pregnant - it's the ReliefBand. It works on the same principle as accupressure bands, but it uses electronic nerve stimulation on your wrist. You just dab a little jelly on (the same kind they use when you get ultrasound), strap on the band, and turn it on. You'll feel a little tingle running along your ring finger, but that's about it. You can get them at dive shops, but you can also check them out online: http://www.reliefband.com/main.html

That band was the only thing that kept me going on my 2nd pregnancy! Good luck!
-M.

Can you hold down your prenatals? My morning sickness seemed to get a lot worse when I didn't have enough vitamin B. Sometimes just taking the prenatals helped a lot. Sleep also helped a -- 7 PM bedtime when I could get away with it -- I know, that's almost impossible for a working mom with a three year old. Eating baked potatoes also sometimes settled my tummy. I also kept crackers and water next to my bed. Sometimes eating a little before I moved helped.

Good luck!

You might try candied ginger. You can get it in the baking department of your grocery store. The candied ginger comes in little cubes and if you nibble it and even sip ginger ale with it, it usually curbs normal nausea. I had morning, noon and night sickness and actually lost 10 pounds with my daughter. My doctor finally gave me a pill for it after I was far enough along. I wasn't that sick with my son. Also, holding icy compresses against your wrists helps too.

The first time I was pregnant I was sick the entire 9 months, so by the time we had our second child I already knew how to handle the morning sickness. What helped me the most was to sleep as long as I could at night and take the ocassional nap during the day. Also, you have to eat something every hour to keep help with the extra acid in your stomach. Try crackers and stuff like that. And, avoid foods that will only make it worse like spicy food. Hope you feel better!

M.

Hi S.. Congrats on #2! My advice would be to monitor your morning sickness closely, particularly if you are having actual vomiting as opposed to nausea. I had horrendous morning sickness - it was actully diagnosed as "hyperemesis gravidarum." I was convinced I could deal with it and repeatedly refused medication, but after I ended up in the hospital the second time for dehydration our midwife convinced me to take phenergan. It did the trick. As soon as we left the hospital, I went out to eat my first meal in weeks! I felt guilty and was concerned about taking the drug, but our midwife felt that the dehydration and malnourishment outweighed the low risks of medication. Our child turned out just fine, and we were able to have a medication-free natural delivery even though my pregnancy had not been medication-free. I had to take the phenergan until my 7th month. It made me drowsy - which doesn't help when you're trying to work - but at least I could function. I also took chewable prenatals, which were easier on my stomach than swallowing pills. Hope you feel better soon!

the good news is, by month 4 it should clear up. always have something in your stomach, saltines and flat gingerale worked for me as did canned peaches for some reason, and so did a tisane of hot water with a couple of pieces of crystallized ginger (that's sold as a candy, or by the baking section--you can just eat the crys. ginger but it's a little sharp). if it becomes an all day, losing weight kind of thing, you may need a prescription for an anti-nausea/anti-emetic (my sister needed Phenergen with both of her kids).

Hi S.,
I am also experiencing the same thing, terrible nausea all day long, 2 months pregnant with a currently sick very fussy 11 month old and a demanding full time job. I find unsweetened lemonade seems to really help, something about the tartness does the trick for me.

Just take it one day at a time, try to find a moment in the day to relax and know this will soon pass.