We Interrupt This Blog to Bring You… Nesting Instincts
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I haven’t posted in quite a while. Somewhere around Week 11 of my pregnancy, the constant nausea abated and some of my energy returned. However, in a cruel juxtaposition, my “nesting instincts” kicked in around Week 10. For 7 days, I lied around, too exhausted to move, bemoaning the mess around me, concerned we’d never get the house babyproofed, and my child would be crawling around on floors teeming with dust mites.
When my energy came back, I limited my writing to “immediate deadlines” and went on a cleaning spree!
I’m very fortunate that my morning sickness ended “right on schedule” at the end of the first trimester. But I have heard rare cases of morning sickness lasting through Week 20 and beyond.
If this is happening to you, or you’re still suffering through that first trimester (it’s hard to believe, but it really does get better), here a few techniques that I found helped.
- Vitamin B6. My doctor gave me B-Natal lollipops and hard candy—a super-dose of B6 to help nausea. They taste pretty good, too.
- Eat! I felt a lot better when I kept something in my stomach at all times. I ate a small snack every two hours, and tried to have a decent dinner which, combined with a light snack or glass of milk before bed, helped me last through the night.
- Peppermints. Several pregnant women I know have found relief in sucking peppermints, such as Altoids. If you’re vomiting a lot, these will also help freshen your breath and get that taste out of your mouth.
- Seasickness bands. One of the few OTC remedies recommended for pregnant women, motion sickness bands worn around the wrists may help. By the time I found out about these, my first trimester was almost over, so I didn’t bother, but I’ve heard some moms-to-be say they helped.
- Avoid triggers. Horror movies, coffee, chocolate, the mention of alcoholic beverages, and, oddly, cartoon vomiting–the mere mention of these things made me dry heave. I have never been squeamish before, but my husband quickly learned I had to close my eyes at the sight of blood on TV. Warn your family about your “triggers” so they can try to avoid them in your presence.
- Talk to your doctor. If your morning sickness is so bad you can’t function or are missing work more than is acceptable, talk to your doctor about prescription medications that may help.
- Don’t worry. Unfortunately, morning sickness is a normal part of pregnancy. It won’t hurt the baby, and neither you nor the baby will starve to death. Stay hydrated, and do your best to eat whenever you can. “White foods,” such as bread, rice and potatoes often stay down easier. You may also try oyster crackers or saltines. Most importantly, remember that it won’t last forever.
Laura says...
I relied on the good old saltines and very cold water. I also liked sour candy (Preggy Pops, or Jolly Ranchers) and lemonade.