How to Avoid Morning Sickness

Pregnancy is a time of our lives when we ask a lot from our bodies. Not only are we supporting ourselves but we’re growing a baby! (Never mind the energy we need to take care of our other kids if we have them too!) It can take a toll on our bodies if we aren’t careful and sometimes give us some not-so-fun side effects, from morning sickness to stretch marks to back aches. 

With each of my six pregnancies, I’ve learned a little each time about preparing my body. As a result, each one has gotten easier, and my symptoms have significantly decreased.

My Morning Sickness Experience 

In my first few pregnancies, the smell of some food would leave me running for the nearest bathroom. But the worst part was the fatigue. During the first few months, I’d lie on my kids’ bedroom floor and play with them or read to them. Then I’d fall asleep any chance I got.

I should say that I never had morning sickness to the level that several of my friends had. I never had severe nausea or came close to going to the hospital, though I didn’t eat much during the first few months. If you experience severe morning sickness, or hyperemesis gravidarum, you’ll want to see a healthcare provider to get support.

As I learned more and boosted my health and nutrition, I felt a huge difference in my last two pregnancies. I was a little more tired than I was pre-pregnancy, but not like I was during my previous pregnancies. Some mornings I didn’t feel like eating right away, but I wasn’t repulsed by food. With my last pregnancy, I didn’t experience morning sickness! I felt so good that I was really glad to hear a heartbeat to make sure I was, in fact, pregnant.

Building up our body’s stores of protein, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals helps us start our pregnancy with some reserves. That way, we aren’t as likely to face a deficit of nutrients when our body is working hard to support a new baby. This gives us a better chance of feeling less tired or sick. 

Of course, there are times when we can’t plan and prepare before because sometimes it just happens (any surprise pregnancies out there?). But if you’re planning to get pregnant, preparing your body before is a great way to avoid some of the symptoms. Pregnancy doesn’t have to be a hard thing, especially if our body is ready for it.

What Is Morning Sickness and Why Does It Happen?

First, I’d like to say that morning sickness doesn’t only happen in the morning. It can happen at any time of the day or even all day long! I’m still not sure why doctors call it “morning” sickness.

About 70-80% of women experience morning sickness at some point in their pregnancy. Symptoms of morning sickness range from mild to severe.

Doctors still don’t know the exact causes of morning sickness. There are several factors they believe play a role in who gets sick and to what extent. It can be caused by fluctuating pregnancy hormones or low blood sugar. Stress and fatigue can also play a role in morning sickness. And, of course, certain foods might set off a bout of feeling nausea. Sometimes travel can trigger it, especially if you’re prone to motion sickness.

Some of the most common pregnancy sickness triggers are animal foods, strong tasting foods, and caffeinated foods. Some researchers believe that this is one way our body protects our very young baby at a vulnerable time from potential pathogens. Before refrigeration was a thing, these foods could have posed a danger to a developing baby.