Morning sickness

doulamb · 08-27-2007, 08:03 AM

I have a friend who is 6 weeks pregnant, she is really sick. Vomiting about 5 x's per night. And really nausaus during the day. Does anyone have any advice that I can give to her? Tea's, anything? I am running out of ideas.

She had this with both of her other pregnancies and was hospitalized with her last for dehydration. She is really afraid of that happening again. I have told her to try crackers / peppermints, sips of water...eating small meals throughout the day...things like that. Nothing seems to be working, so I thought I would see if anyone could give me some ideas to help her.

Thanks! Have a great day!!

Acacia · 08-27-2007, 08:10 AM

I sniffed peppermint oil, used motion sickness bands on my wrists, ate plain cheerios, sucked on hard sour candy and when all that just wasn't cutting it I was told to take dramamine (sp?) Of course she should check with her doctor first, but that was the only thing that allowed me to get out of bed and go to work without literally constantly throwing up all day every day.

doulamb · 08-27-2007, 08:58 AM

Thanks! I forgot about the motion sickness bands....and I will definetly tell her to ask her dr. about dramamine....thank you for responding so quick! I never had ms with my boys...maybe I felt a little sick, once in a while...but that was it, thank goodness . Thanks again for your advice.

doula Michele · 08-27-2007, 09:40 AM

being sick that bad is horrible.
I think julie probably mentioned everything I could think of. Hopefully it doesn't last to long for her...with me it was about 4 months, then I was alot better.

Raven · 08-27-2007, 02:00 PM

I am not a qualified Aromatherapist but you could try essential oils:
Ginger is the traditional one for morning sickness.
Grapefruit is also good and is an alternative if you hate the smell of ginger.
Both these oils are OK to use during pregnancy but don't put them directly on skin unless they are diluted, and if you do stay out of the sun as sunlight + some oils can cause skin irritation - Ginger is a culprit here. Also, check your friend is not allergic to citrus before trying the Grapefruit oil.
The best way to use these oils is to put a few drops on a tissue and just leave the oil to scent the air. If your friend does this when she goes to bed, the scent will still be there first thing when she wakes. This can be helpful if her nausea starts as soon as she opens her eyes as it did with me.
Also tell her that a few drops means 2 or 3 drops only. If you go mad and shake loads of drops from the bottle, then you can actually overstimulate your senses and then it won't work or it can make symptoms worse.
Another thing to try is a visit to a qualified Homeopath. Again, be careful here with any self treatments as some homeopathic remedies are not recommended during pregnancy.
The same goes for meridian pressure points so you might want to remind your friend not to use reflexology or a pressure point therapy unless she's confident in applying these therapies to herself. If not, reflexology or Shiatsu or another pressure point therapy from a qualified practitioner might do the trick.
Sorry if I've droned on obsessively about precautions; I just feel it's really important to be careful especially as your friend is in the first trimester of her pregnancy.
HTH,
Kath

loveslabor · 08-27-2007, 02:13 PM

Not really the advice that you are looking for, but with both my pregnancies, <b>the only thing</b> that <i>ever</i> ended up helping was medication- Zofran.

If other things aren't working, have her talk to her doc about getting a prescription. It was a lifesaver and kept me out of the hospital. It is expensive though.

raeben · 08-28-2007, 01:44 AM

here is the regimen that is keeping me alive right now:

- several cups of red raspberry leaf tea daily
- sips of fennel ginger tea frequently
- sniffing orange essential oils (I keep a scented cotton ball in my bra)
- daily B-complex vitamins
- juice of half a lemon 2 or 3 times a day (this one seems to help me the most)
- eating every 2 - 4 hours
- I'm going to start getting acupuncture soon for the MS

also, walking a mile a day is suppose to help a lot (it definitely did with my first pregnancy) but makes me feel worse this time around.

DoulaCBE · 08-28-2007, 01:54 AM

I lost 30 pounds from week 6-12.
I tried it ALL. Everything liste above and more. Even this special "watch" that sent electric impulses into the same points that the sea bands use to help quell nausea, nothing and I mean nothing worked.

Until. . .
I discovered the manna from heaven called Zantac. One first thing in the morning and one late at night allowed me to eat and keep my food down.

It's a risk B category drug for pregnancy and as always she should talk to her DR and Midwife before taking it. (even though I never did)

doulamb · 08-28-2007, 09:14 PM

Thank you all soooooo much! I am getting all this information to her and she is going to try everything! Poor thing...I feel so bad for her! She is very much into homeopathic meds so she is going to try that route first before she trys medicine from the doctor. Thank you all again. I will update you as to what is working for her.....

ctowndoula · 08-28-2007, 10:27 PM

apple cider vinegar...tastes awful but works. The good organic kind that you have to shake b/c of the parts that settle to the bottom. One tablespoon in the morning and then if needed one in the late afternoon/early evening. You can do shots of it or mix it with a glass of water and drink the whole thing down. Too much though and she will get loose bowells.

doulamb · 08-31-2007, 10:08 AM

Thank you guys so much for all your help! She is getting worse though....I am going over with a basket of oils and raspberry tea today...I will let you know what happens!

earthgirl · 08-31-2007, 10:28 AM

I just found this:
Morning Sickness Balm

doulamb · 09-05-2007, 04:03 PM

What a great site...thanks so much. I will forward it to her.

Just an update, she is still really sick . Vomiting at least 7 times a day...mostly in the morning and evening better in the afternoon. She is keeping food down in the afternoon...She is really depressed too. Crying alot. Just not happy....I will keep you updated.
Thanks again for all your help!

jesscardona · 09-05-2007, 04:31 PM

This is nothing natural but can the dr. give her anything? how about Phenergan? it's for nausea..

MamaMichelle · 09-05-2007, 04:33 PM

Is this her first pregnancy? Each pregnancy is different and I would hate to hear she never had another because of the MS issue. Reassure her that one day she will wake up and all this will just be gone! It's soooo worth it, every good and bad thing during pregnancy is worth it.