Pregnancy: Battling Morning Sickness

Battling Morning Sickness

Morning Sickness. I don't even know why they call it "Morning" sickness, because I know I'm not alone when I say it is Afternoon, Evening, & all Night long sickness as well.

Pregnancy is an exciting time...but the nausea really puts a damper on the situation.

For me Morning Sickness, is one of the hardest parts of pregnancy.  It gets old so fast.  But in the attempts to find a cure and make the best of it.  Here are some tips and tricks I have found through my last two and my current pregnancy.  BUT since pregnancy is so different for everyone and even for each pregnancy...please give me any ideas you might have.  As none of these have solved ALL of my problems.  And there is the alternative of a prescription.  Which I will discuss more below.

Things that help EASE the Nausea:

-Preggo Pops

-Sucking on Mints

-Popcicles

-Flavored Water

-Sucking on Hard Candy

-Mint/Peppermint Gum

-Tea (Especially Peppermint or Fennel)

If none of these or any other great ideas you have found work, there is always the option of a prescription.  With my current pregnancy as well as my last I have had to resort to a prescription for different periods of the pregnancy.  Personally, I try to avoid them.  It is always a little nerve racking taking medication when pregnant and I don't always like the side effects.  But if you do end up needing a prescription, I definitely suggest finding one that DISSOLVES in your mouth/under your tongue.  I find them much easier to take and more effective.  Too many times, I just found myself throwing up the pill I just swallowed.  So dissolvable tablets saved me!

Another random trick, but it really works for me....Mentholatum!
I use a generic Mentholatum Ointment as "Chapstick" on my lips.  The smell totally calms my stomach.  Random I know.  It also keeps me from smelling the random unwanted smells that make me nauseous. Plus, Pregnancy is known to cause congestion/stuffy nose and this clears me up immediately.  A little moisture on my lips is an added bonus.
(TIP: Vick's Brand, says not to use on chapped lips, so look for a brand that specifies.  Mine was Walgreens brand and says it is for chapped lips and chapped skin.)

For Meals & Snacks...
I say, go with what your stomach tells you.
But there is always the fall back plan of: Crackers, Fruit, or good old fashioned Peanut Butter & Jelly.

I find the trick is to eat in small portions and sip drinks throughout day. Too much water or food can trigger the gag reflex.

And of course, Plenty of Sleep!
A rested body can make such a difference.

Well, this is what works for me.  Or at least works has worked for me at some point, depending on each pregnancy...But, what works for you.  I could really use any suggestions!

More to come on Maternity and Preparing for a new Baby!

My Favorite Air Freshener

My absolute favorite air freshener is: Pure Citrus Air Fresheners (in the Orange Scent).

I learned about this years back in a seminar on Organization and Reducing Stress.  They sprayed this and recommended it for relaxation.  And yes, it is relaxing, but it also smells amazing!  It's just like that smell when you peel and orange.  Which would make scents because it is made from highly concentrated citrus oils from fresh oranges or citrus fruit (depending on the scent you choose). 

It is 100% NATURAL, Non- Aerosol, No Chemicals, Eco-Friendly, and eliminates odors imediately and naturally.

The ingredients are: 100% oils found in fresh citrus fruit. (pretty impressive)

It also doesn't stain or discolor fabrics, carpets, etc.
I used to buy it at Walmart, but recently went to get some more and my Walmart was out, so I found it here at CVS.com ($5.99) and here at drugstore.com ($4.99) , both are slightly higher priced than Walmart (I hope I remember right) at $3.50 ish.

Anyways, it is great smelling and I never worry about the chemicals in my house with kids, being pregnant, or just for overall health...and it helps that my husband loves it, so we use it regularly!

A simple trick for: Moisturized Skin

I got this trick from Kayla's amazing blog located here, and immediately tried it out.  After having a baby, I don't know about you, but I had several bottles of Baby Oil Gel around that have never been used.  So instead of throwing them away I put them to the test...and loved the results.

If you choose not to read about it on Kayla's blog, I will quickly explain how I use it. 

First of all, I am really bad with lotion.  Although I need it desperately in this dry climate, I forget to put it on and usually I am already dressed so I only get my hands. 
But instead, I keep the bottle in my shower and after I am all done, I quickly towel off. Then lather up with the Baby Oil Gel.  I use it all over.  Then I simply wrap myself in my towel and mosey around for a few minutes.  From brushing my hair, teeth, etc.  This just lets it absorb a bit before I put my clothes on.  (I take 2 or 3 min. tops!)

And no I have never had any "oil" residue or marks on clothing or furniture and it doesn't leave me feeling greasy. 

And I have found any brand works well, I am just using up whatever brands I have on hand.  And I find the GEL is important, regular baby oil leaves me feeling greasy!

Also, Kayla refers to using this while she was pregnant.  And although I am very recently classified in that group I tried this before being pregnant and found it worked wonders.  But for those of you who are pregnant or plan to be one day, this is a "safe" option and works wonders on crazy preggo skin!

Craving Fix!

Let me start by saying I am not very self disciplined when it comes to cravings. I like food and sweets and I like to be able to enjoy them! So I figure if I eat rather healthy most of the time it will balance the unhealthy things I eat.

But, I recently found one thing that tastes amazing and will hit my craving spot easily! They are the Baskin Robins hard candies. They are 20 calories a piece, but they taste so much like the ice cream flavors they claim!

So when I have a sweet tooth I can suck on one of these and the taste lasts longer than if I ate the bowl of ice cream...and way less calories and fat!

My favorite flavor is the Mint Cookies and Cream, it is amazing! (this also takes care of my Mint Oreo Cookie cravings...which I have often!)


So just a suggestion! And I got mine at the Dollar Store, so they are cheap too!