The first trimester isn’t called the “Bleary” trimester for nothing. Here are 4 natural pregnancy nausea remedies to help you and baby out.
I spent most of my first trimester on the floor, watching my husband renovate our bathroom. I remember loving it there – it just became my happy place.
If you’re feeling out of it, and basically spending your first trimester on the couch or wherever YOUR happy place is, don’t worry. It’s totally normal.
The first trimester is called the “Bleary” trimester because, at this stage, most of our energy is going toward building the “battery pack” that will provide energy to your baby throughout your pregnancy.
Right now, you’re providing all that energy, so it’s not going to your brain.
Another common experience in the first trimester is pregnancy nausea, or “Morning Sickness”, very inappropriately named since morning is only one of the many times we get to feel like we’ve been on a rocky sailboat for hours.
Pregnancy nausea and vomiting are caused by the rapidly changing hormones as your body adapts to accommodate your baby and its needs. And while not every pregnant woman experiences nausea, Stanford Children’s Health reports that around half of all pregnant mamas feel nauseous at some point in their first trimester.
The good news is this symptom normally goes away at the end of the first trimester. In the meantime, try these four natural remedies to help with your morning sickness. And just remember, there’s only one thing that’s always true about pregnancy: things will change soon.
1. Pregnancy Nausea Remedy: Ginger
Perhaps the most well known of remedies for nausea, ginger, is all natural and safe for pregnancy. Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties and is a mild stimulant, meaning it helps to improve blood flow.
And the best thing about ginger is that it can be taken in a myriad of ways. Try chewing on a small piece of raw ginger, taking ginger pills, or adding it to a stir-fry.
Can’t stomach any kind of food? Ginger tea is soothing, and it gives you a good reason to sit down with a warm cup and put your feet up.
2. Pregnancy Nausea Remedy: Acupressure
Did you know there are pressure points on your body that can help relieve morning sickness? Acupressure for morning sickness works particularly well if your nausea is mild. In these milder cases, you can use either your own hands or have your partner or a friend help. If your nausea is more severe, consider going to a Chinese Medicine Practitioner.
For do-it-yourself pregnancy nausea relief, locate the spot three finger widths below your wrist and right between the tendons. Gently press down with two fingers. You could also put a pebble on the pressure point and hold it in place with a rubber band.
3. Pregnancy Nausea Remedy: Green Smoothies
According to Ayurveda, the 5,000 year old sister science to yoga, eating greens is a wonderful way to calm the acidic feeling of nausea. Unfortunately, if you’re feeling sick, kale might just be the last thing you want to eat!
Smoothies are one of the best ways to get greens into your body without actually “eating” them. Green smoothies help to alkalize your blood as an acidic pH level has been linked to morning sickness. 
So what kinds of green foods should you be tossing in your smoothies? Spinach, kale, and celery are all high alkaline foods – and full of bonus antioxidants.
Sweet fruit like a pear, half a banana or even dates are also great additions for their micro nutrients.
For an extra anti pregnancy nausea punch, add some peeled ginger, and even some water to help keep you hydrated.
4. Pregnancy Nausea Remedy: Exercise
One of the last things people think of doing when they feel ill is exercising. Yet, many of my students tell me they almost skipped class and that they’re so glad they didn’t, because their nausea was gone by the end.
Sometimes moving our breath and body can move toxins through and shift energy so we feel renewed. At the very least, a walk, a swim, or a prenatal yoga class can take your mind off of how sick you feel. Plus, physical activity, especially stretching, helps release feel-good hormones that will help counteract the not-so-good ones.
It’s so important to listen to your body, and what it’s telling you you need. If your body says to simply “rest,” then rest! All of these remedies will be here for you to try again tomorrow.
But if you’re feeling like you might want to try getting up, start with just walking around your house. Put on a song and dance. Do a Downdog, you might just feel better.
