3 Ways to Keep Morning Sickness at bay

When there is an increased level of hormone hCG, human chorionic gonadotropin, your pregnancy test will show positive. This hormone will be responsible for the placenta and other important hormones for the development of pregnancy. The increased combo of [hCG + estrogen + progesterone] = a cocktail of new sensations that, most of us fabulous women, will feel in the form of daily nausea, not to far after finding out there is a new baby coming to share life with you. All these feelings are part of the process. Changes in blood sugar, altering the metabolism and a strong need to increase daily calories to produce a new life, are also expected to happen towards the second trimester. Increasing the metabolic rate to extra 300 calories is very necessary to help maintain good levels for insulin and glucose sensitivities.

It's important to eat what you like and do the best choices you can, while managing morning sickness and all the other symptoms that come with it: some may feel sleep, others nauseated, headaches or a mix of all of the above during the first trimester. You can do it momma! Read through.

1. Hydration methods for mommas-to-be

   While most of us may find it difficult to drink lots of water daily, we can still create encouraging healthy variations of favorable hydrations to make it easier to deal with. Simple suggestions for small hydrating sips are:

   1. Fruit popsicles treat lemon flavor or citrus of your preference.

   2. Ginger ale.

   3. Infused water: I used to love critic sour flavors: slices of lemon, orange cucumber, orange cucumber lemon, or simply water and ice cubes.

   4. Electrolyte drinks: Body Armour and Coconut water are my go-to's.

   5. Teas: peppermint and ginger.

   6. Smoothies: considered smart ways to have a mix of something more solid that you can drink in small sips, by mix and matching ingredients of your preference: banana, ginger, spinach, yogurt, berries, protein powder.

      Please make sure you always ask for your doctor's and specialized nutritionist's approval. In my days, this service wasn't available. If not presented to you, please ask for it.

      
      

2. Tricking morning sickness with plain foods

   Listening to your body is the best advice you can apply to yourself. We all need to eat and drink, so make sure to explore what will suit you best during the first trimester. Palates often change during while producing a baby and nausea gets to its peak.

   a. Easy to digest and help on stomach acids: Plain starchy foods, such as crackers, toasted sourdough bread, rice, mashed potatoes, plain bagels, plain oatmeal topped with bananas and a drizzle of honey.

   b. Fruits: bananas, apple sauce, frozen grapes, frozen melon cubes.

   c. Greek yogurt.

   d. Baked or boiled potatoes.

   e. Moderated protein: boiled or scrambled eggs, chicken breast, cottage cheese, tofu.

   f. Sour flavored foods: lemon

   Have you heard of the BRAT diet? Banana, rice, apple sauce, toast. These are handy staples that you can eat every 1 or 2 hours during the day.

   Avoid greasy, spicy, or overly sweet foods.

   
   

   3. Daily meals that help with Morning Sickness

   A well-rounded diet will help keep morning sickness at bay while maintaining energy levels and blood sugar at a safe zone. This includes breakfast, lunch and dinner that you can mix and match as your tastebuds will be asking for.

   Lunch/Dinner

   a. Sandwich: turkey or chicken. Garnishment of your taste: cucumber, avocado, etc.

   b. Soup and crackers: chicken noodle, miso, potatoes, etc.

   c. Salad with protein.

   d. Plain rice, quinoa, steamed veggies.

   e. Mini pita with hummus and cottage cheese.

   f. Plain pasta with olive oil and light tomato sauce.

   g. Mashed potato with soft boiled eggs and lentils.

   h. Baked White Fish or Grilled Chicken with Rice.

   i. Bring breakfast for dinner with Scrambled Eggs with Toast or Avocado.

   Health snacks include plain popcorn, crackers, yogurt, almond butter, hummus, cottage cheese, hard boiled eggs, avocado toast, banana and peanut butter, oven baked sweet potatoes fries, cheese fruit crackers. This beautiful variety can be mixed and matched to make you happy.

   
   

   Medical help for morning sickness

   Each of us and each pregnancy may present different needs and different levels of morning sickness. When it is just way too much, Hyperemesis Gravidarum - HG - might be the case. This strong case comes associated with weight loss, dehydration, persistent nausea and severe morning sickness.

   
   

   Remember to embrace this magical phase of your life with gratitude and happiness. Women are tougher than they think, and we are here to encourage, support and motivate one another. Pregnancy is part of being females. Many of us get to experience pregnancy and when that test reveals positive, let's do the best of it and live the best of our lives by doing, at least, one thing every day that makes you happy!

   Rest and do not be afraid to approach your OB doctor.