Marilyn Shannon has a helpful book published by Couple to Couple League, Managing Morning Sickness that explains the whole blood sugar /nausea connection.  You are so correct about this.

Protein and many other remedies can help ease the nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. Be aware though that severe nausea and vomiting is hyperemesis gravidarum, known as HG.

“Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is a severe form of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. It is generally described as unrelenting, excessive pregnancy-related nausea and/or vomiting that prevents adequate intake of food and fluids. If severe and/or inadequately treated, it is typically associated with:

loss of greater than 5% of pre-pregnancy body weight (usually over 10%)
dehydration and production of ketones
nutritional deficiencies
metabolic imbalances
difficulty with daily activities
HG usually extends beyond the first trimester and may resolve by 21 weeks; however, it can last the entire pregnancy in less than half of these women. Complications of vomiting (e.g. gastric ulcers, esophageal bleeding, malnutrition, etc.) may also contribute to and worsen ongoing nausea.”

Just a little FYI from an HG survivor. So many women are told that it is their fault that the home remedies don’t work for them or it is all in their head or they aren’t tough enough or don’t really want their babies.
It is a disease and a disease that can be treated.

http://www.hyperemesis.org

God Bless.

Arwen,

You’re absolutely correct about eating protein with every meal or snack during the first trimester. I found that this was the only way I could keep food down and continue eating throughout the day during my (ahem) 15 weeks of nausea and vomitting for this, my current pregnancy.

My doctor also told me to eat a little protein right before bedtime to help ease my stomach into morningtime. I found that keeping saltine crackers by my bed never helped me at all, but if I ate some yogurt or string cheese w/crackers before I fell asleep, then I was better off in the morning.

Thanks for your post. I pray that your morning sickness doesn’t last too long!

I’ve suffered through more pregnancy nausea than I care to remember and you are absolutely onto something with the protein, Arwen. Last pregnancy, my husband was my hero because he grilled me a steak every single night during that first trimester. Not so good on the grocery budget, but awfully good on my poor stomach. The only thing I would keep down most days.

Arwen speaks truth!

I was leveled by the nausea with my third.  A friend told me to think of protein in terms of a through-the-mouth I.V.:  small, constant amounts of the protein/carb balance to keep my blood sugar from spiking.  100% better.

With respect to HG, it’s no figment of the imagination, character flaw or weakness of the part of the mother.  My cousin was so sick with her second baby that she was in the hospital on the verge of organ failure (she was determined to carry the baby, praise God) when her feeding tube finally started to turn the tide.  What a frightmare.  God love those of you precious mothers who have endured this trial for your children.

I also survived HG, Karen, and thank you for the explanation of the disease.

It’s a whole different ball game when drinking a sip of water makes you vomit bile and blood. Ugh.

That being said, it’s nice to know protein can help with normal morning sickness.

During the first and second trimester I had a lot of morning sickness and I tried any suggestion I could get. I did read the Couple to Couple League book and tried what they wrote, but it didn’t work. The only thing that landed out working were cups of hot ginger tea and ginger candy. I would drink the tea morning and night and eat the candy whenever I started feeling ill…it worked liked a charm.

I always took comfort in the following, I hope it helps!  Morning sickness helps pregnant women from ingesting teratogens (substances which can be harmful to the baby).  Women are most morning sick to those foods highest in teratogens, and least morning sick to those foods low in teratogens.  It’s not like these are super dangerous, just that while full grown humans can eat them without any trouble, things like plant toxins or BBQed meat aren’t things you want a baby ingesting large amounts of.  Also, morning sickness peaks during the first trimester, during the time the baby is most vulnerable, given the formation of the major organ systems.  Last, morning sickness is unpleasant, but it is a sign of a healthy pregnancy - it is your body doing what it should be doing.  I know it’s no fun - but it’s not actually a bad sign!

Another thing that can help is citrus. Not eating it, but smelling it. A fresh lemon, lemon juice, an orange, whatever…. I learned this tip from the nurses in Maternity when I went for my umpteenth bag of fluids and Zofran drip because I was so sick. It didn’t work for me everytime, but then again, I had HG my entire pregnancy, and lost 18 pounds in the first trimester this last time (and I am of a low-regular body weight to begin with). I vomited at least once every day for each of my pregnancies, usually multiple times…. and have to say, that it wasn’t only the thought of the babe that made me look forward to delivery, but that an end to the sickness would come. lol Morning sickness bites! I hope you feel better soon!

Interesting to read your tips.  There are suggestions that morning sickness could be an evolutionary function designed to stop foods being consumed that might hard the pregnancy.  I guess it makes sense, though I wish nature wasn’t always so cruel!

All, these are great tips, especially the one regarding eating proteins. I am 13 weeks along, and my nausea has gotten worse from it originally was. I have tried all home remedies, but to no avail. I will surely try to get more proteins into every meal and see if that works. Good luck to all of you dealing with morning sickness, or must I say, all-day-sickness!

I tried to start out the day by eating saltine crackers or dry toast. sprite or ginger ale also helps. i did have to ask my ob about this and he told me to take dramamine to help to prevent this. when you take this about an hour and a half before you eat it works miracles. also having peppermint candies in my purse helped too. my nausea lasted until about 16 weeks.fertility

When trying to control nausea: Drink clear or ice-cold drinks. Eat light ... can be used to control vomiting associated with pregnancy, motion sickness, ... Thanks…..good post

I think you can also use pure resveratrol ultra. However, I suggest that you consult your doctor first. Never ever drink any medicine, supplement or other pill before your doctor nod to it.

I’ve suffered through more pregnancy nausea than I care to remember and you are absolutely onto something with the protein, Arwen. Last pregnancy, my husband was my hero because he grilled me a steak every single night during that first trimester. Not so good on the grocery budget, but awfully good on my poor stomach. The only thing I would keep down most days.