10 morning sickness remedies recommended by experienced moms
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Pregnancy comes with that famous glow, the promise of a sweet, cuddly baby, and much-dreaded morning sickness. It can happen any time of day, and often starts in early pregnancy—around 6 weeks—affecting about 70% of pregnancies, according to Cleveland Clinic.
If you experience severe nausea and vomiting that results in losing weight (also known as hyperemesis gravidarum) your obstetrician can suggest medical interventions to help. Most pregnant people, however, are able to ease their pregnancy nausea thanks to some tried and true mom-approved tricks. Here’s what’s helped me—a mom of five!—and other experienced moms, get by.
What causes morning sickness?
Human chorionic gonadotropin, or HCG, is a pregnancy hormone that’s produced by the placenta after a fertilized egg attaches to the uterine lining. It’s commonly believed that HCG is the main cause of pregnancy nausea. In fact, the higher a mother’s HCG levels, the worse her nausea tends to be, which is why being pregnant with multiples increases a parent’s risk factor for experiencing morning sickness.
Unfortunately, having had previous pregnancies doesn’t reduce a parent’s chances of experiencing morning sickness in the future.
When does morning sickness go away?
While some people do experience nausea that lasts for their entire pregnancy, most women find that morning sickness usually goes away between the 16th and 20th weeks of pregnancy.
Try these 10 morning sickness remedies
1. Salty snacks
Relatively odorless salty snacks help restore electrolytes.
Salt has a reputation for being a quick nausea fix, and if it works for ship captains braving the seas, it works for us. Salt replaces electrolytes, which is especially useful if you are vomiting, and might help ease nausea because basic, salty foods like saltine crackers have no odor. Try Lay’s classic chips, oyster crackers, or Ritz Toasted Chips for some crunchy relief.
2. Preggie Pops
Every pregnant mama deserves a lollipop, and these are specifically designed to be an anti nausea aid. They come in sour lemon, green apple, and sour raspberry, among other flavors.
The lollipops are also available as lozenges, and contain essential oils meant to help with morning sickness. Pop a few in your purse for those tough moments.
3. Ginger gum
Ginger is an effective and cheap antidote to nausea and vomiting, studies show. This gum, containing ginger oil, makes it easy to replace your typical gum chewing habit with one that will do double duty and cut down on nausea.
4. Prenatals that taste better
Some women have a hard time swallowing their prenatal vitamins, even though they know they contain significant benefits for their developing babies. But when that gag reflex is in full swing, sometimes they just won’t go (or stay) down.
Pink Stork makes prenatals with a heart shaped “scentser” inside, that gives your prenatals a pleasant aroma and taste, in a berry flavor, making them easier to swallow.
5. Low sugar ginger snap cookies
Tasty ginger snap cookies may have anti-nausea benefits.
When you are living on bland foods, a sweet treat might sound amazing—until you try to eat one. These low sugar ginger snaps have a great gingery flavor and may help with nausea. They are also keto-friendly and gluten free, without added sugar, making them ideal for pregnant people worried about gestational diabetes.
The sweet and slightly spicy combo will become your new favorite cookie, even beyond morning sickness.
6. Sea-Bands
There's no clear consensus on acupuncture bands, but many attest to their effectiveness.
Research is mixed on whether Sea-Bands can officially be recommended as a nausea relief tool, but those who they do work for swear by them and are forever fans.
Sea-Bands claim to relieve motion sickness and pregnancy nausea by using acupressure at the P-6 pressure point on the wrist. Worth a shot.
7. Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6, in limited and doctor-approved amounts, can help quiet nausea.
While it might seem your prenatal packs everything you’ll need for the first few months with a baby on board, some very nauseous women might benefit from Vitamin B6, proven to improve nausea, without hurting the baby. The American Pregnancy Association says that women having nausea issues can take 10 to 25 mg of this vitamin three times per day. However, your doctor probably won’t recommend you take more than what’s in your prenatal, and people should avoid taking over 100 mg per day.
8. Sour candies
Sure, they are sugary Halloween candy favorites, but they also are a favorite amongst nauseated new mamas. Sour candies like these tend to help, but if you want to skip the sugar, you can also just suck on a lemon slice, or drop one in your water.
9. Herbal tea
Herbal tea can be made hot or cold and works great before bed.
When you are ready to puke, not all teas are made alike, and you might even have to try making yours into an iced tea, rather than hot, for a more refreshing vibe.
Earth Mama Organics Morning Wellness Tea boasts a safe level of peppermint, along with ginger root and spearmint, chamomile and lemon balm, which can help settle a nauseous belly before bed as well.
10. Ginger ale or ginger beer
Sometimes a bubbly refreshment not only alleviates nausea, it also doubles as a fun mocktail—enter ginger ale, or even stronger ginger beer. Be sure to select one that has real ginger in it, as some just have a bit of extract rather than enough ginger to settle your stomach.
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