Healthy Smoothies For Pregnancy And Postpartum
Are you a busy mama looking for an even MORE convenient way to enjoy a pregnancy smoothie?
These smoothies were time savers for me during pregnancy, and even now postpartum. Whole food smoothie pouches designed specifically to meet the needs of pregnant and postpartum mamas, delivered right to your door. All you have to do is add the liquid and blend!
The ginger smoothie is the perfect one if you are experiencing any pregnancy nausea too.
Nutrition For Nausea During Pregnancy
Nausea and vomiting symptoms are extremely common during the 1st three months of pregnancy due to changing hormones. The following are some suggestions to help with these symptoms.
Some women require prescription medication or hospitalization if symptoms are severe. Please feel free to call if vomiting is excessive.
Things You Can Try Yourself
If your morning sickness is not too bad, your GP or midwife will initially recommend you try some lifestyle changes:
- get plenty of rest
- avoid foods or smells that make you feel sick
- eat something like dry toast or a plain biscuit before you get out of bed
- eat small, frequent meals of plain foods that are high in carbohydrate and low in fat
- eat cold foods rather than hot ones if the smell of hot meals makes you feel sick
- drink plenty of fluids, such as water
- eat foods or drinks containing ginger there’s some evidence ginger may help reduce nausea and vomiting
- try acupressure there’s some evidence that putting pressure on your wrist, using a special band or bracelet on your forearm, may help relieve the symptoms
Recommended Reading: Can You Get Braces While Pregnant
Sudden Onset Late In Pregnancy
If you experience sudden nausea or vomiting that develops toward the end of your pregnancy, check in with your doctor immediately.
This can be a symptom of severe preeclampsia, which can be life-threatening for both you and your baby. It is diagnosed by screening your urine for protein and taking your blood pressure. An unrelenting headache is another symptom of severe preeclampsia.
If you are concerned about your blood pressure but dont have a blood pressure monitor at home, most retail pharmacies have staff who will check it for free or machines set up in their waiting area for customers to use. This isnt a replacement for your regular doctor but can be used in a pinch if you are concerned and want to check your blood pressure on a whim.
While many women worry about pregnancy-related nausea, it can often be considered a good sign. Since rising HCG levels are linked to a healthy pregnancy, having nausea because of high HCG levels can indicate your pregnancy is going as expected.
What Else Should I Know About Nausea In Pregnancy
Up to 3% of pregnant people experience a severe form of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. Its called hyperemesis gravidarum. It typically involves frequent vomiting and weight loss. If you’re experiencing hyperemesis gravidarum, talk to your healthcare provider. You may need to be hospitalized to treat weight loss or dehydration from excessive vomiting. They may give you IV or rectal nausea medications if you can’t keep oral medications down.
Read Also: Is It Safe To Use Vagisil Cream While Pregnant
Tap Into The Power Of Ginger
Ginger is safe and effective in relieving nausea caused by morning sickness. But it doesnt seem to work for vomiting.
Ginger comes in many forms. Moms- to-be can take ginger supplements three or four times a day, with a total daily dose of about 1 gram. Foods that contain ginger may also help ease nausea. These include ginger ale, ginger lollipops, and ginger tea.
My Personal Morning Sickness Experiences
For my first pregnancy I had morning sickness for exactly the first three months. Although it wasnt MORNING sickness, it was evening sickness. I would be fine all day until dinner, then throw up. It really wasnt all that terrible. Annoying, but pretty predictable and once I threw up Id feel ok again.
My second pregnancy was way more tough. The first 3 months I was nauseous all the time, but never threw up. Which seems to just make the nausea go on and on. Unless I chewed gum. For some reason the sweetness would put me right over the edge and would immediately be running to the bathroom to puke. And I have a massive gum chewing addiction, so that was a bit rough.
Then after a full trimester of relief, the nausea came back for my entire 3rd trimester! I didnt even know that was possible until I experienced it. But I found that it is actually quite normal to have 3rd trimester morning sickness.
My second pregnancy gave me the opportunity to try out all kinds of methods to ease nausea.
Even though you may not be able to completely eliminate nausea in pregnancy, it is so helpful to have multiple tools to relieve or reduce the debilitating symptom of nausea.
Also Check: Can I Donate Plasma While Breastfeeding
How To Stop Nausea And Vomiting During Pregnancy
It may not be possible to stop nausea or vomiting, but you may try to deal with it or control it with the help of some home remedies. However, note that there is a lack of substantial scientific evidence to support the use of most of these remedies. You may try them and continue if they work for you.
Seek Medical Treatment For Serious Symptoms
Sometimes, nausea and vomiting can be severe, or last into the second trimester. Talk with your healthcare provider about other treatments. In some cases, hyperemesis gravidarum can happen. Women with this serious condition need treatment with medicine and intravenous fluids.
Online Medical Reviewer: Bowers, Nancy, RN, BSN, MPHFoley, Maryann, RN, BSN
Date Last Reviewed: 4/12/2016
You May Like: Can I Get Lasik While Pregnant
Morning Sickness And Hyperemesis Gravidarum
Breadcrumb
HomePregnancyHubBeing pregnantPregnancy week by weekFinding out youre pregnantEarly pregnancy Morning sickness and hyperemesis gravidarum
Morning sickness is probably caused by pregnancy hormones. The levels of hCG hormone in your body rises quickly during the first few weeks of pregnancy.
Pregnancy sickness is often at its worst when you first wake up, which is why its called morning sickness. However, feeling sick or being sick can happen at any time of day during pregnancy.
Morning sickness is usually worse during the first 12 weeks . It usually clears up by weeks 16 to 20 of your pregnancy, although it can go on for longer for some people.
Morning sickness does not put your baby at any increased risk.
Some people worry because they dont have morning sickness. They may think that their pregnancy is somehow not strong enough or that they are more likely to miscarry. This is not true.
Pregnancy symptoms are different for everyone. Not everyone will feel sick or vomit.
During my first viable pregnancy, one month after a 12-week miscarriage, I experienced no sickness at all. This made me always worry I was going to miscarry again. Thankfully it did not happen, and I have a very healthy and active 18 month old now! My second viable pregnancy was completely the opposite and I still get waves of nausea at 37 weeks.
Kristina
Keep Physically And Mentally Active
Being physically active has been found to improve symptoms in women who experience nausea during pregnancy.
Keeping busy can help take your mind off the feelings of nausea. Reading a book, doing puzzles, watching television, playing cards, or going for short walks around the block will help to keep you preoccupied.
Don’t Miss: Can Pregnant Women Use Vagisil
Other Tips For Treating Nausea
Besides consuming certain foods and beverages, you can take other steps to relieve your nausea :
- Eat something small every 12 hours: Avoid skipping meals, as an empty stomach can worsen nausea.
- Eat and drink slowly and in small amounts: This allows you to relax during meals and take time to enjoy your food. You may also want to avoid consuming liquids and solids at the same time.
- Do not lie flat after eating: Avoid lying down for at least 30 minutes after eating, as this can put pressure on your stomach, making nausea worse.
- Avoid food preparation: The smell while cooking and preparing food can worsen nausea. If possible, avoid or shorten the time spent in the kitchen.
- Keep your mouth clean: Nausea and vomiting can leave an unpleasant taste in your mouth, which may prevent you from eating. Rinse and brush your teeth regularly and use sugar-free mints to keep feeling fresh.
In addition, avoid the following types of foods when you feel nauseous (
- Caffeine
Summary
You can take additional steps to treat nausea by avoiding certain foods, eating small, regular snacks or meals, consuming liquids and solids separately, avoiding food preparation, sitting up after eating and keeping your mouth fresh and clean.
Smoothies For Pregnancy Nausea You Can Actually Tolerate
As a mama and dietitian I have experimented with the best ingredients to use in smoothies for pregnancy nausea and taste tested them throughout my own pregnancy.
After a little trial and error, I am happy to share with you 5 morning sickness smoothies to help keep that pregnancy nausea at bay!
An excellent source of magnesium and Vitamin B6, plus a squirt of lemon juice and freshly chopped ginger to help calm your stomach and alleviate morning sickness. This is THE ultimate morning sickness smoothie!
- 1 cup frozen spinach
- ¼ cup all natural almond butter
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
Blend well and enjoy!
Read Also: Can Donating Plasma Hurt An Unborn Baby
What Is Nausea During Pregnancy
Nausea during pregnancy is a feeling of queasiness commonly experienced by expectant mothers, particularly during early pregnancy. We usually refer to it as morning sickness, though that is a misnomer, as the feeling can occur during any time of the day or night.
Up to 90 percent of pregnant women will experience this nausea, though the length and severity of the discomfort may vary drastically.
Nausea during pregnancy commonly disappears between weeks 11-14 as you get into your second trimester.
Editor’s Note:
Coping With Common Discomforts Of Pregnancy
Pregnancy produces many physical changes. Aside from weight and body shape, other alterations in your body chemistry and function take place. The heart works harder, your temperature registers slightly higher, body secretions increase, joints and ligaments are more flexible and hormones are altered.
Mood changes are common, resulting from a combination of hormonal changes and greater fatigue, as well as normal anxiety over body image, sexuality, finances, marriage roles and impending parenthood.
The following is a list of the most common discomforts of pregnancy and some guidelines for coping with them.
Don’t Miss: Is It Safe To Donate Plasma While Breastfeeding
Stick To Foods That Appeal To You
Chances are you’ll be able to find a few healthy foods that you can keep down. Theyll take care of most of your nutritional requirements until a more varied diet becomes palatable.
Remember that no one food has a monopoly on any particular nutrient or meal. For example, you can get your vitamin A and protein from peaches and yogurt at dinner instead of broccoli and chicken. Or have pasta for breakfast instead of cereal.
Don’t worry too much about getting your daily dozen in the short term. There will be plenty of time later on in your pregnancy for eating well.
Surprising And Effective Foods That Fight Nausea During Pregnancy
If youre one of the lucky ones who doesnt experience morning sickness nausea, you might be wondering what all the fuss is about. But for the rest of us, morning sickness can be debilitating. Fortunately, there are a few things that you can do to help combat morning sickness nausea, including eating certain foods. Here are seven surprising and effective foods that fight nausea during pregnancy.
This post may contain affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase through one of my links, I may get a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you so much for supporting KindergartenPrep.org.
Recommended Reading: Vagisil Cream While Pregnant
Each Pregnancy Is Unique
The trick to managing morning sickness is to figure out what works for YOU! Every woman is different, which means that some diets and home remedies might be more or less effective, depending on the person. Women who have had multiple pregnancies also find that their morning sickness changes from one pregnancy to the next.
As a result, there isnt a one-size-fits-all approach for the management of morning sickness. The key is to pay attention to what triggers your nausea and what seems to help. Identifying the pattern can be an important step in helping you feel better throughout the day.
Pay attention to what your body is telling you about the best foods for nausea during pregnancy. This process will help you in determining a morning sickness diet plan that will be optimal for your needs.
At Hana Tonic, weve created the best blend of natural ingredients to help with nausea relief. The formulation of lemon, pineapple, ginger, B vitamins, and cayenne are combined in the only organic anti-nausea shot on the market. Reach out to us any time for more information.
Drink Your Way To Feeling Great
Tea. Tea is your friend right now. Cold tea, hot tea, whatever works for you. The types to try to ease nausea are Ginger Tea and Peppermint Tea.
My favorite for quelling nausea during pregnancy was Bigelow Lemon Ginger Herbal Tea Plus Probiotics I found it to be the best! Probably because it contains both lemon and ginger to calm the quesiness, as well as the additional probiotics that will keep your gut as balanced as it can be right now. I drank it every day.
Beyond tea, keeping Kombucha and selzer water on hand at all times is essential for a nauseous mommy. I cant number the amount of times I sent my husband to the store to buy lemon seltzer water.
Find the drink that works for you and stock up!
Recommended Reading: Donating Plasma While Breastfeeding
Why Am I Nauseous
Blame the increasing hormones, but youre not alone. More than 50% of pregnant women experience morning sickness. But take heart. Many doctors think morning sickness is a good sign because it means the placenta is developing well.
Prenatal Vitamins can make nausea worse, mostly because of the extra iron. Pair your prenatal vitamins with a light snack before you go to bed.
Ensure Good Fluid Intake
It is important to stay hydrated for good health, especially during pregnancy.
It may be hard to consume eight glasses of water a day while experiencing nausea, but dehydration can aggravate feelings of nausea.
Adding apple cider vinegar and honey to water may make it more palatable.
Sucking ice cubes made from water or fruit juice is also an effective method.
Also Check: Kinesio Tape For Pregnancy Round Ligament Pain
Keep Your Blood Sugar Balanced By Including Some Protein And Fat
Sharp blood sugar fluctuations are another nausea trigger. Once you can tolerate a small amount of carbohydrates, try to follow it with a small portion of protein or fat-containing foods to stabilize your blood sugar, such as nuts, cheese, avocado, Greek yogurt, scrambled eggs, or beef jerky.
Protein at breakfast is especially helpful for maintaining blood sugar balance throughout the day, which can help alleviate nausea.
If eggs or other high-protein foods are unappetizing , try a protein shake. If you can stomach a smoothie, you can pack it full of protein powder to give yourself a bit more of a nutritional boost. I prefer grassfed whey protein or organic pea protein blended up with yogurt, kefir, coconut milk, or almond milk for liquid and 1 cup of fruit for flavor.
For extra staying power, a tablespoon of nut butter or coconut oil, or even half of an avocado, can add healthy fats. You may also be able to tuck in things like greens and collagen powder to lend additional nutrients. Some of my clients have even opened the capsules of their prenatal vitamin into their shake, as this was the only way they could get it down in the first trimester. Grab your blender and experiment.
Vomiting And Severe Nausea During Pregnancy
Some women experience extreme nausea and vomiting during pregnancy that cant be controlled with diet changes or OTC medications this is known as hyperemesis gravidarum. If this is the case for you, talk to your provider to first make sure no other medical conditions are involved and to explore other prescription medications that might help.
Per Dr. Berens, Dehydration associated with hyperemesis gravidarum can be serious and requires urgent treatment.
There are many prescription medication options available to treat extreme nausea and vomiting, but unfortunately clinical trials often exclude pregnant women, which makes it difficult to fully understand if potential harm exists when used during pregnancy. Working with your healthcare provider, it is important to weigh the potential risks of leaving your nausea and vomiting untreated with the benefits of trialing these medications on a case-by-case basis.
Don’t Miss: Nutraburst While Pregnant
