You might be feeling overwhelmed with your pregnancy. Your goal is to just crawl up into a ball under a blanket. Above all, you’re wondering how to ease pregnancy symptoms.
This article is definitely for you, Mama!
My first pregnancy was flying colors and rainbows. I felt great throughout and had zero nausea. Don’t be mad at me…because pregnancy #2 and #3 definitely threw me for a loop. The first 18 weeks of both were Morning Sickness Central at my house. I won’t go into the details!
(Oh, and why the heck do they STILL call it morning sickness? Because it happens all dang day, right?)
Nausea isn’t the only villain that rears its ugly head as a common pregnancy symptom.
There may be weird pains you never felt before, swelling, sleep issues…oh my.
Not to worry, many of the most common pregnancy symptoms can be helped with natural solutions that you may already have in your home!
Pregnancy is a great opportunity to really look into what you are putting into your body. Some medication is safe to use during pregnancy, however, there are a lot of natural remedies for common pregnancy symptoms. (As always, consult your doctor when planning to take medication or use naturopathic remedies.)
Although every woman is different, I’m sharing some of the best solutions to help ease the most common pregnancy symptoms.
Let’s dive in!
1. Nausea
Nausea in pregnancy is extremely common. According to the American Pregnancy Association, more than 50% of pregnant women experience morning sickness. And as we know, it’s not always happening in the morning!
Each woman is different when it comes to the intensity of nausea, as some may need to go on medication. It is highly common for nausea to be treated with home remedies. Here are some natural remedies for nausea in pregnancy.
Sour food
Some women tend to find relief in eating strongly flavored food. Hence the cliche that women tend to eat pickles in pregnancy (though there is no scientific proof of this). Sucking on sour candy, drinking lemonade or eating pickles do top the lists of food that pregnant women tend to eat whilst experiencing nausea.
Favorite sour candy to help nausea (and that weird metallic taste in your mouth): Preggo Pops!
Ginger
Ginger is known for its medicinal properties, especially in reducing the feeling of nausea. You can brew a cup of ginger tea or have it in the form of ginger biscuits.
Pink Stork Ginger-Peach tea was specially made for this common pregnancy symptom. It’s the perfect blend of flavor, without the overwhelming spiciness that ginger sometimes has. I had a cup every day when I felt nauseated!
Oatmeal
Nausea can be caused due to a dip in blood sugar in the morning. If you can stomach it, have a bowl of oatmeal right before going to sleep. It will not only help to maintain your blood sugar level but will also help with constipation.
2. Hemorrhoids / Constipation
If you are someone that has suffered in the past with hemorrhoids, then it is most likely that they may recur during pregnancy. The added pressure from the baby inside and the combination of constipation can lead to pregnancy hemorrhoids.
Fiber
Increase your intake of fiber-rich foods such as whole-wheat bread and fruits rich in fiber. Having a side salad every day that consists of cucumber, tomatoes and lettuce can help with constipation.
Walking
Walking is a great exercise in pregnancy as it is low intensity and help with digestion. Walking 45 minutes a day can greatly help with constipation. Don’t over-exert yourself; the test is that you should be able to talk while walking.
Drinking water
Increasing your intake of water is always good for you, especially in pregnancy. Constipation is a natural side effect of pregnancy and hence it can only be prevented so much. Try to sip on water throughout the day instead of chugging down bottles.
To avoid having to constantly refill, use the mother of all water bottles, a 48-ounce Nalgene. Better yet, get two and keep one at work!
3. Abdominal / Back pain
In early pregnancy, you may feel slight abdominal or back pain. Though it may be alarming to a first-time mother, it is fairly common. The muscles around your abdomen are making room for your uterus to grow, hence sudden movement may cause sharp shooting pain. You may also experience a cramp-like feeling. As always, don’t hesitate to call your OB if you have a concern.
These are the best methods to relieve abdominal pain during pregnancy.
Yoga/stretches
Prenatal yoga is safe to do during pregnancy. Gentle stretching of the abdominal muscles and back can help with easing any uncomfortable pains that may arise during pregnancy.
My go-to for yoga during pregnancy was My YogaWorks. Simple poses that can be done slowly at home for big ole preggo women. They even offer a 2-week trial for newbies.
Belly Support
A belly support band can really help with back pain. Wearing the belly support band in early pregnancy can help with preventing back pain in the later stages of pregnancy.
Warm baths
Hot baths are not recommended during pregnancy. However, a warm bath can help relax the abdominal muscles. It’s important to keep the water temperature below 98 degrees, and avoid hot tubs (it’s not worth the risk of increasing body temperature to a level that can harm baby). For warm baths, another favorite of mine from Pink Stork is their Pregnancy Bath Salt. Sprinkling this in a bath was heaven for joint pain, and there were nights I slept like a baby after soaking.
4. Heartburn
Heartburn can be uncomfortable during pregnancy, from burping to feeling uneasy. Lack of appetite can also be a result of this discomfort. Try these tips to alleviate this common pregnancy symptom:
- Eating smaller meals frequently can help with better digestion to prevent discomfort.
- Prevent going hungry for too long as that can cause acid buildup in the stomach.
- Yogurt can also help to reduce heartburn. It is best to stick to natural yogurt.
- Prevent certain fruits if you notice they can cause discomfort.
- Avoid spicy or oily food.
5. Insomnia/Anxiety
We know by now that sleep has been linked with our hormones. So it is a given that when the body is undergoing such a surge of hormones you may find yourself sitting up awake for no apparent reason.
Relaxing night routine
It is always best to go back to basics when it comes to trying to sleep better at night. If you don’t already, try and get yourself into a relaxing bedtime routine. Not only will this help you wind down for the night but will also prepare you for when the baby comes.
And let me tell you, a pregnancy body pillow does look kind of ridiculous in your bed. BUT, they are so super comfortable and cozy against your belly and body. I discovered in pregnancy #3, wishing I had it from the beginning for the other two! A must for the nighttime routine.
Maintaining a journal
Sometimes the last thing you want to do is use your brain at the end of an exhausting day. However, being pregnant can be overwhelming. Take some time to write down your thoughts. The Belly Book is the cutest.
Chamomile tea
The benefit of chamomile tea is that it has apigenin, which helps induce sleep and calm the body down. Make yourself a cup of chamomile tea by steeping a bag in hot water. Avoid adding sugar. Try a touch of agave for an alternative sweetener.
6. Stretch Marks
Stretch marks occur when the skin around the belly and the breast (yes, you can get stretch marks on your breast) is stretched. It can become uncomfortable when they become sore and itchy.
Almond Oil
Almond Oil is known for its nourishing properties, combined with its ability to help with pigmentation. Apply almond oil after a bath to help relieve itchy skin. You can’t go wrong with Burt’s Bees Mama Bee Body Oil. Affordable and does the job.
Oatmeal baths
Oatmeal will prevent the skin from drying out and strengthen the elasticity of the skin. To avoid a big mess, use a cotton bag (a spice bag would work perfectly) to store the oatmeal. Place the cotton bag filled with oatmeal into your bathwater. You don’t even have to rinse this off!
7. Headaches
Headaches can be a common pregnancy symptom. Though they are usually mild and can be manageable they may hinder your day to day activities. Try the following to relieve headaches:
- Drinking lots of water.
- Avoid caffeine.
- Take a hot bath with a cold pack on the forehead.
- Avoid too much screen time.
- Try to take it easy and rest your body.
- Dab peppermint essential oil on your temples.
8. Swollen Limbs
Just when you thought it couldn’t get worse, you get puffy. Swelling is one of the more common pregnancy symptoms. Swelling on the feet and hands can be a result of low circulation during pregnancy. Mild swelling on the feet can result in your shoes feeling to small, and swelling on the fingers may result in your rings feeling tighter.
You may have to take your rings off, and keep them in a safe place for a while. Swollen feet can be relieved by placing your feet on a stool in front of you while in sitting position.
Most swelling subsides as soon as you have the little one, so that’s something else to look forward to!
9. Cold in pregnancy
Not only are you growing a human inside you, but you’re dealing with an endless runny nose or congestion. Some women will experience cold-like symptoms as a common early sign of pregnancy. This is a result of low immunity during pregnancy. Most cold symptoms can be managed at home.
Quick Recipe – Gold Milk
To make gold milk, take a cup of milk and warm it on the stove. Once the milk is just about to come to the boil take it off the heat. Add a quarter of a teaspoon of turmeric powder and a pinch of black pepper. Drink while it is warm. You can add some honey for sweetness (but make sure it is pasteurized).
Note: according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, turmeric is considered safe for a pregnant woman when used to season foods. Ask your doctor if you are unsure about consuming anything you are not sure about when pregnant.
10. Diarrhea
During pregnancy, the digestive system does get affected. It’s best to avoid spicy food, so stay away from the hot curries and jalapenos if you can. Increase your intake of yogurt as it can help with digestive issues. Try to eat home-cooked as often as possible.
Relieve your symptoms for an easier pregnancy
First of all, you can get through anything, Mama! Most common pregnancy symptoms are a result of all the hormonal changes going on in your body. There is not much you can do to completely get rid of them, and they won’t last forever. However, with the help of natural remedies for pregnancy symptoms, you can manage them!
Each symptom may vary from one woman to another. If pregnancy symptoms are so bad that they hinder you on a daily basis, then speak to your doctor.
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