Our Team’s Tips: Nausea in the First Trimester

Pregnancy is a unique and transformative time filled with excitement, changes, and sometimes, a few challenges. As the caring staff at Miami Holistic Birth Center, we understand the rollercoaster of emotions and physical shifts that come with pregnancy. In Our Team’s Tips series, we’ll share insights, tips, and support for navigating some of the common discomforts that may come along during your pregnancy.

Nausea and Vomiting:

Morning sickness is one of the most common complaints of the first trimester. Don’t be mistaken though, “morning” sickness can also be “all-day” sickness for some women, or even nonexistent for others. The increase in nausea in the first trimester is caused by hormones that help to sustain your pregnancy. While there’s no specific cure for first trimester nausea, there are some things that can help.

• Prevention: The main goal of managing nausea is to prevent it from occurring in the first place. Some studies show that women who consumed a good quality prenatal vitamin at the time of conception experienced less nausea.
• Meal Adjustments
  • Eat a cracker or piece of bread before getting out of bed
  • Eating small frequent meals
  • Avoiding spicy and fatty foods
  • Small amounts of fluids
  • Increase bland food intake
  • Take prenatal vitamin at night
• Supplements: Supplements such as ginger and vitamin B6 have been shown to ease the intensity of nausea. Some supplement companies create their own first trimester packs that specifically help to battle the nausea that some women experience.
• Red Flags: While most nausea in the first trimester is normal, there are certain instances where it would be beneficial to check in with your own healthcare providers.
  • If you are too nauseous to keep anything down
  • If you feel too weak to carry on with daily tasks
  • If you feel extremely dizzy
  • If at any point you feel concerned

Nausea and vomiting in the first trimester can be extremely frustrating to deal with. Even though most nausea is resolved around 12 weeks, those early weeks can feel difficult to get through. Find ways to rest and listen to your body, as well as establish a good support system to lean on.