Morning Sickness Getting Me Down

Updated on November 10, 2010
E.M. asks from Beverly Hills, CA
27 answers

I am 7 weeks pregnant with Baby #3. I had relatively easy pregnancies with the first two...this time around is very different. Since I was about 5 weeks along, the nausea began...it hits like a ton a bricks from the second I open my eyes until I fall asleep at night. It gets worse throughout the day...and my stomach feels crampy and bloated by the evening. I have food aversions but there are some things I seem to want, like citrus fruits. I force myself to eat and drink because it helps temporarily and I feel like I should...but I just regret it immediately. I also have a bad taste in my mouth that I can't seem to get rid of. The fatigue is also overwhelming - probably because I've got my hands full more so now than before. I have no sitters or family nearby and I work from home PT. I can usually deal, but right now I feel as though I'm only ok when I'm not awake. Hubby is not really great in the support or sympathy department. Any ideas on how I can make it through the next several weeks until this all hopefully subsides? The responses I get from most people if I do mention this is 1. that it's normal and temporary so deal with it or 2. I should be grateful b/c so many women with fertility issues would love to me in my position. I guess that's easier said than done for me right now. The days seems to go on forever...

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.F.

answers from New York on

I have one suggestion I didn't see below in all the good suggestions: My friend had very bad morning sickness and her dr. changed her prenatal vitamins. The morning sickness went away! Worth a try! I hope you feel better!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I will sympathize with you...ms is a living hell. Nothing like feeling like the stomach flu for 12 weeks (and in my case the whole time!) to make you irritable. Hang in there. Lots of crackers-I loved matzoh for ms. Wish I had more for you.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

All I know is frequent, small, light meals. Get out of bed slowly in the a.m. Crackers, hard candy for the bad taste. Also, isn't there a certain scent that helps nausea? Is it lemons and green apples?

Here's an article with some tips:
http://www.supernanny.co.uk/Advice/-/Pregnancy-and-Birth/...

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.R.

answers from New York on

In addition to all this great advise on morning sickness, perhaps until the end of the first trimester you might consider hiring a doula to help be an emotional and physical support. I know post-partum doulas usually assist at the home after the birth, but perhaps you might find one in your area that would be willing to come in for even a few hours a week. It just might help to have that extra bit of support!

Congrats on the baby!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

All I know is, the only thing that helped me, and was my OB/GYN's suggestion... was getting Acupuncture.
Just one session for a half hour and my BAD morning sickness and migraines... were completely gone.

You have to see an Acupuncturist that handles pregnant women.

Next, your Husband is of no help.
Before the baby gets here... I would really sit down with him... and make sure he is stepping up to his responsibilities... of you will be like a single-Mom.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.J.

answers from Kansas City on

I am also pregnant with #3, and have a lot more nausea than with the first two. I finally caved in and asked the Dr for some meds to help, but the pharmacist told me to make sure I can lay down after I take them. Yeah right, with two other little ones to run after, that's not going to happen! The thing that I've found to help a lot are the pregnancy lollipops. I'm not sure what's in them, it says on the box I think there's a vitamin supplement? But they really help even the second I put one in my mouth. I think on the box it says only 3 or so a day, so once my nausea is subsided I put it back in the wrapper until the next time to make it last more throughout the day. Good luck, I definitely feel what you are going through!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.T.

answers from San Francisco on

Oh! Okay here are some things that may sound rediculous, but they work! I just went through this stage a few months back and a few of these things helped.

Vitamin B lozenges (B-Natal brand name) - Specifically made for women suffering from morning sickness.

Eating something fatty before bed- Potato chips worked all day for me

Eating saltines before you even get out of bed (without water)

Drink 2 liters of water a day

Eat in the middle of the night

Separate liquids from solids when drinking and eating

Ginger tea, or crystallized ginger

Take your prenatal vitamins before bed instead of during the day

Sleep as much as possible.

Sip on apricot nectar all day

:) These were some helpful things my midwife gave me to try out. Everyone is different though! Good luck to you and feel better!

M.B.

answers from St. Louis on

Babe, I could have wrote this myself, I actually did when I was 7 weeks. Im 12 weeks now and still sick. I was hospitalized twice already because I couldnt keep water down. Its very depressing when your house is falling apart and your kids arent getting the attention they deserve, because you just cannot do it. With my 2nd baby, I was on Zofran and it helped greatly, this time around, it didnt help one bit and I am on a stronger medicine now called Reglan. I still get sick, some days still all day even with the medicine, but I also do have good days.. Its a lot better than feeling like you have the stomach flu. You deserve relief from this. I would call the doc and get something to help, if that doesnt help, call the doc back until you find something that does. Good Luck!! I do not wish this on anyone. And of course we know you are grateful for your baby, but that doesnt mean you have to feel miserable.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.C.

answers from Seattle on

Ondansetron or Zofran was my savior and they ONLY thing that helped me get through my pregnancy! I was becoming seriously depressed because I had spent 6 months over the toilet and could not gain any weight. I am normally the happy upbeat one and I could barely move! After taking this for a month I cleaned the house, took care of my 3 year old and went to Kauai for a weeks vacay!! I started with 1 pill every other day then down to half a pill every other. It seriously is worth the $1 a pill on-top of our insurance! My daughter is perfect and I have known many other Moms who took this, plus the OB recommended it. I just hope your sickness doesn't last 8 months like mine. I had a horrible metallic taste in my mouth too and it altered the taste of everything!! With both of my girls I have spent 1 and a half years over the toilet!! BTW sounds like a girl to me ;)

OH and stay away from dairy! That is a HUGE tummy upsetter!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.D.

answers from New York on

Oh E. I feel your pain. I chewed on Bazooka original bubble gum and for some reason it relieved my nauseua. Did not make it totally go away but enough to make it so much better.

good luck and congrats,
D

H.W.

answers from Albany on

Well difficult situations are all relevant. The most difficult thing for you right now is what it is. People shouldn't make people compare themselves to people who have different difficult things going on. People are so inconsiderate.

I feel for you. I didn't have as much on my plate as you do, but morning sickness is so consuming. I missed so much work, and I only had a step-daughter 3 days a week to look after.

Have you tried all the 'morning sickness remedies'? Like eating before you get out of bed, ginger tea, peppermint tea?
Have you tried an antacid? Like Gaviscon or Mylanta (they are in Aus, not sure if in the US) Like, heartburn treatment. I got hospitalised because of violent vomiting and the stomach acid damaged my eosophagus.
That's what I would guess the bad taste is.
Maybe controlling heartburn or reflux would help you keep more food down, which would in turn, help keep the nausea at bay.
Sugary drinks? Lollies?
Gosh, you're only 7 weeks. You poor thing.
Have you talked to a doctor about drugs that suppress nausea? The one we get in Australia is called Maxolon. I took one every 4 hours or something like that for a few months. Eventually it just made me so tired that I couldn't do anything once the nausea had passed. They have stronger drugs available that can stop nausea as well.

Best of luck!!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.P.

answers from Buffalo on

Hi! I was sick all day for the first four months of my first, and three months of my second! It really does stink! I found lemon hard candy helped. It had to be sour. A friend had given me preggie pops and they helped, but the lemon candy was cheaper and easier to find, and worked just as well! It didn't take it away completely, but it sure did help! A friend of mines OB gave her a prescription for her sickness. It might help you. Ask your OB. Good luck!

K.I.

answers from Seattle on

I don't have a cure for you either...I tried everything too! I was sick with all 3 of my kids the WHOLE time...I actually puked in the delivery room with my first born! I lost weight all 3 times and have pretty much puked all over my city!

The only thing I will say to do for sure, is take your prenatal at night before you go to bed instead of during the day.

Sorry Woman!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.P.

answers from Boise on

Have you tried acupuncture? Also, try small snacks constantly. don't let your belly get empty. Have crackers next to your bed and eat some before you get up.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.S.

answers from Minneapolis on

This may or may not help. When I was pregnant with my first I felt terrible. The only thing that helped was to eat mashed potatoes for dinner, and before bed. I think they stuck with me enough so I didn't feel so terrible in the morning and could get more food in me before it all started coming back up.

The other thing that helped were pretzels. The salty and blandness of them seemed to calm my tummy. I kept them by at my desk and nibbled as much as I could stomach. Saltines probably would help too, but pretzels were what I needed.

I also craved OJ, I think it's because it's high in folic acid and your body needs that right now.

Try peppermint or ginger. I had some candies ginger I got at whole foods which helped some too, especially with the bad taste.

You'll make it... sleep if you can during the day, I know it gets hard when you have more kids...

good luck and congratulations!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.S.

answers from Chicago on

I'm also pregnant with #3 and had a similar situation as far as immediate onset of morning sickness, which was different than with the previous 2 pregnancies. Chewing gum has been a saving grace for me. With my first two, it was Juicy Fruit. I started off this pregnancy using mint gum, but have gone back to fruity. I tried Trader Joe's ginger chews (individually wrapped, not like candied ginger) but the flavor was too strong for me. I also considered sea bands but never got around to it - I think you can find them at Target.

By the time I reached weeks 9-13 (which were REALLY bad when I was pregnant with each of my sons), much of the nausea subsided. It wasn't completely gone, but I was so much better.

Since you're a SAHM without much help, consider meds so that you can function. While it was hard to feel so lousy and hide a pregnancy from co-workers, at least I could sit at my desk and keep a low profile. You don't have that "luxury" when you're home with kids. I never went to accupuncture, but had it not started getting better, I definitely would have given it a try.

My husband is extremely supportive, but I think it was sometimes hard for him to have a lot of sympathy in the first trimester. Without a fever, profuse vomiting or other obvious signs of illness, I just don't think most men get how horrible morning sickness can be. I would lie down for 20mins or so while my husband and the kids ate dinner and steal whatever moments I could to get off my feet. Other times, I'd go to bed as soon as the kids are in bed and leave the dishes and cleaning for my husband or take care of it the next day.

Good luck.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.P.

answers from Raleigh on

I had persistent morning sickness with my daughter. I had morning sickness from the time I was 6 weeks pregnant until she was born at 41 weeks (and even a couple of days after she was born).
I took 1/2 Unisom and B12 each night the entire pregnancy. It really helped keep the nausea at bay. Talk to your doctor about it.

S.M.

answers from Columbus on

I never got to try this personally, but a friend of mine who has 5 kids swears by vitamin B. I don't remember the dosage but she said take it every day and you'll feel almost normal again.

Don't feel guilty about not enjoying your pregnancy, you're allowed to feel sorry for yourself during this part!

V.W.

answers from Jacksonville on

I don't have a cure for you... I wish I did. I can certainly sympathize with you though. I have 2 kids. With BOTH of my pregnancies I was nauseous from the very start (like you around 5 weeks or sooner) until I went into ACTIVE labor (as in... timing the contractions when do we leave for the hospital). It is NOT fun and it really drains you. Not just physically, but psychologically too. My husband was wonderfully supportive of me. Unfortunately, support didn't make it go away, lol. If only.. hahaha

I'm sorry your hubby isn't "feeling it" for you. He probably thinks it is no different than the first two... he may still come around. It's only been a few weeks. Remember, for THEM, until you are showing... it's almost like it isn't reality to some extent.

Hopefully, your nausea will go away in another month or two. But if it gets worse, and you just can't function there are things you try. (I shipped my 2 year old son off to stay with grandparents at one point, b/c I couldn't care for him properly... Lying on the bed/sofa praying you'll have the strength and stomach to sit up and correct your 2 yr old son from climbing up the front of cabinets, or being afraid of the sounds you hear coming from his room and you just don't know if you can manage getting up to walk down that hallway to see, praying it is just legos that got dumped into the floor, and wanting to cry because you finally got down on the floor to sit with him while he builds something with legos only to have the telephone in the other room ring 2 minutes into it.... ahhh the memories). sigh.

Talk to your doctor if you can't deal. My doctor prescribed Zofran for me. (The other stuff they go to first just made me sleep through the nausea, not actually help it go away, and you can't sleep all day when you have other kids to deal with). Anyway... the Zofran did NOT make the nausea completely go away. It is not a miracle cure. But it DID take the edge off of it enough that I was able to function. My son didn't burn the house down, and I was actually able to get through the day, get grocery shopping done, lunches made, showers/baths dealt with, laundry here and there...

The other thing that I found, was that I had to constantly eat. I, too, got a nasty/funky taste in my mouth that was always there. It was worse if I ate/drank anything with caffeine in it. I could NOT drink sodas (well, except the root beer that has no caffeine, or the orange soda that doesn't have it). And plain water was disastrous as far as that 'taste' went. Try different things, and stick with what helps. For me, it was pink grapefruit juice and then Cold chocolate milk. Sucking on lemon drops helps too.

Later in my 2nd pregnancy, I had excessive salivation, also. That was really gross. It made it really hard to fall asleep. I put a towel over my pillow and went to sleep with a lemon drop in my mouth (my dentist would have a FIT).

I hope you feel better soon. I know those comments that "it'll go away soon" "it's normal" etc.. aren't very comforting and an actually be infuriating some days. I hear ya. I just tried to stay focused on the blessing that was making it all worth it in the end. :)
Don't feel guilty about letting things around the house go a little bit. ;)
How old are first two? Can they help with chores around the house some? Or can you put them in a drop off play group/nursery school for a a few hours 2 mornings a week?
<<hugs>>

N.T.

answers from New York on

E.:

Sorry that you are in such distress with a lack of emotional support at home. Morning sickness is NOT a normal pregnancy issue. There was a challenge in the digestive system prior to pregnancy, but, now with the hormonal changes the issue has come to light. No woman, pregnant or with fertility issues, truly wants to be in such discomfort.

You are craving citrus fruit because it is a digestive aid. If you can digest it well, stay with it, also drink ginger tea and lemon water throughout the day. They will assist the digestive and immune systems. With my morning sickness pregnancy clients, I recommend a change in diet, herbs, enzymes, Aromatherapy, and other natural therapy support. This combination proves to be very successful.

All the best,
N.
Founder/Organic Mommy and Baby Healthcare Solutions
http://www.WholeCreations.com

L.A.

answers from Austin on

I am so sorry you feel so bad. I too had morning sickness the entire pregnancy, even while in labor.. Completely freaked out the LDN, my husband reassured her I would be fine, I did it every day. I tried everything and nothing seemed to work. The only thing that helped was to not avoid it, but to go ahead and vomit.

I would wake up, brush my teeth, vomit and brush them again and move on with my day..

Eat and drink what you can. If juice worrks for you go for it. Citrus unless it was actually fresh, sent me over the edge.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.K.

answers from Miami on

Hi
I definitely empathise. I had the worst morning sickness. It lasted from the moment I opened my eyes until I fell asleep for three months straight. I felt like I would never get better. It was really hard. Noise and movement set the nausea off even stronger. It was awful. The only thing I could think of swallowing, was mashed potatoes (from a box no less!!) and bacon. Go figure! no fruit or protein, it would gag me! Then when I got better, all I wanted was fruit. Do you experience unsatisfaction of getting your thirst quenched? I had a metallic taste on my tongue and it didn't matter how much I drank water, i would never feel satisfied. weird! well, listen, I am not a big fan of medication but i begged my OB to give me something. with the 1st pregnancy, Phenegan did it but with the 2nd it was worse and the med didn't work so i had to take Zofren, which I know is a chemo patient med but that was the only thing that relieved me. It wasn't just nausea, I would htrow up and not stop! I had to go the ER and get my fluids replaced. It was ridiculous. Both my children are healthy - no side effect from meds. i am eternally grateful. I could not bear it another minute.
Good luck and I hope it stops very soon!
S. =)

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.P.

answers from New York on

It's been 12 years since I was pregnant, but I still remember that queezy feeling. At the time, I was commuting to NY city - 90 minutes each way on a train that made me even more sick. The only thing that helped me was to eat a few crackers and a few small pieces of cheese. Also - for me, the prenatal vitamins made me WORSE. I begged my doctor to let me go without them and voila - I felt better immediately. Try going without the vitamins a few days and see what happens. If you feel better, check with your doctor and see if you can skip them for a while. I think it's more important that you are able to eat something substantial rather than take the vitamins. Good luck and note to hubby - get on board!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.O.

answers from New York on

Keeping your stomach full will abate the nausea. Also try ginger pills.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.Q.

answers from Albany on

Hi There,
I am also pregnant with my third and work 2 days per week outside the home. I am feeling okay, but do get bouts of nausea- but I think it is because I am Anemic, and now I have to take iron pills. I find I feel worse when I am tired, but I also have insomnia... so it is hard to get enough rest. If anything wakes me up at night, I can't fall back to sleep. Anyway, it took me a while to get pregnant this time around, and I heard that extra B vitamins can help fertility... so I started taking a new vitamin that has more B-vitamins than some types... then I was reading that extra B-vitamins (B-6?) can help decrease nausea. Also, my prenatal vitamin has pro-biotics in it, which can help with digestion... It is called "Just Once" Prenatal. Sometimes trying a different prenatal vitamin can help. Other than that, try small meals and ginger ale... and when you need a break, place the kids in front of the TV... it won't hurt them to watch a little extra temporarily! Good luck!

M.V.

answers from New York on

i haven't read the other posts, but this worked for me....a friend recommended i buy "EMETROL"....you can find it in a cvs, rite aide, etc and let me tell you, IT TOTALLY TAKES THE EDGE OFF!!!!! you will still feel the sickness but not as harsh!!! i say go for it cause that morning sickness feels like it's never ending!!

and i can tell you something, you have every right to complain about how you're feeling! i hope this makes u feel better! all the best to u!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.C.

answers from New York on

Now is the time to create a support network. You know how you would help someone if they asked? Everyone else is the same as you - wanting to help, wishing someone would ask. That is what community is about. So, are the 2 other children in daycare, school, any groups where you know other moms? Call them, tell them your situation, and ask if the two other kids might be able to come over to their house for 2 hours. You'll pay it back in helping those moms once you feel better - and they will let you because they helped you.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions