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Miserable with Morning Sickness?
Nothing puts a damper on the excitement of finding out you’re pregnant quite like that miserable, queasy feeling that starts to rear its ugly head around your sixth week. Morning sickness is the term for nausea and vomiting that can happen when you’re pregnant. Contrary to its name, expectant mothers will tell you the nausea and vomiting can hit anytime, day or night, and usually feels more like “all day sickness.” In fact, 80 percent of women report their symptoms last all day.
The cause of morning sickness is attributed to the increase in hormones in the mother’s body. HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) is a pregnancy hormone made by cells formed in the placenta. These levels peak at about the same time as morning sickness symptoms. During pregnancy, estrogen and progesterone levels also rise, which relaxes the muscles of the digestive track. Another contribution to the queasiness is the fact that pregnant women experience a sharper sense of smell. Some women experience a metallic taste in their mouth that leads to nausea, and excessive saliva during pregnancy can also be a contributing factor to morning sickness.
According to the American Pregnancy Association, morning sickness affects more than half of pregnant women. It’s often one of the toughest pregnancy symptoms to deal with, but you can find comfort in the thought that many health care providers believe morning sickness is a sign of a healthy pregnancy, because it means the placenta is developing well.
Morning sickness symptoms vary between expectant mothers. Some women experience just a bit of queasiness from certain foods or smells, while others have nausea and vomiting many times a day. For most moms-to-be, symptoms begin to subside between 12 and 16 weeks of pregnancy, but there are some expectant mothers who never find relief and experience it throughout all 40 weeks of their pregnancy. If you’re experiencing weight loss, signs of dehydration, severe vomiting and are unable to keep food and fluids down, contact your doctor. This could be a more severe condition called Hyperemesis gravidarum that affects about three percent of pregnant women.
Are you miserable with morning sickness? Here are a few remedies to try out.
Find Your Triggers
As the days go on, you will find what foods, smells and time of day trigger your sickness the most. For me, the smell of coffee made me nauseous, so I steered clear of Starbucks and did my best to avoid the break room at work. You will also find what foods sit well with you. For me it was grilled cheese, and yes, I had it for breakfast every day!
Eat Often
Do your best to eat small meals often throughout the day instead of three main meals. You don’t want your stomach to get too empty or too full. Keep snacks like a protein bar or a bag of almonds with you at all times. Foods on the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce and toast) are known for helping with upset stomachs. There are also several snacks believed to help with nausea. It’s a good idea to stop eating spicy foods until you are feeling better. Anything with lemon or ginger (think lemon drops, lemonade, ginger ale, ginger tea, ginger snaps) can help. Peppermint tea or sucking on peppermint candy is also helpful for some. Other moms swear by crackers or Popsicles. Eat whatever you can keep down to stay hydrated and nourished.
Morning Routine
The morning tends to be hard for moms to get out of bed and get going. Place some crackers and a soda on your nightstand within arm’s reach before bed. When you wake up, eat some crackers and take a few sips of the soda. Give it a few minutes to settle before getting out of bed.
Prenatals
Sometimes prenatal vitamins can cause nausea. Try taking your vitamins with a small snack before bed. Some moms find relief by using the gummy prenatals.
Preggie Pops
Preggie pops are morning sickness lollipops and lozenges that provide an all-natural way to ease morning sickness. Keep these in your purse to help curb your nausea at any time. You can find these on Amazon.
Sea-bands
You may have used these acupressure wrist bands for car sickness or travel sickness, but many expectant moms find relief from morning sickness with these too. They work by applying pressure to the Nei-Kuan point in the wrist. This natural, drug-free option is worth a try.
B6
The vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) has been shown to reduce morning sickness symptoms in some mothers. B6 helps your body process proteins, which may reduce nausea. Check with your OB-GYN before taking any new supplements.
Stay Hydrated
It’s important to stay hydrated, especially if you’re vomiting often. If you’re having trouble keeping liquids down, try ice chips or freezer pops. Also, drink between meals instead of while eating. Sports drinks like Gatorade can also help you replenish electrolytes.
Rest
Resting is important throughout your entire pregnancy, but especially when you’re experiencing morning sickness. Your body is working in overdrive, so it’s important to give it a break. It won’t always be an option, but if you are having an especially hard morning, take a vacation day and rest your body. Give yourself some grace and return to work when you’re feeling better.
Talk to Your Doctor
If your morning sickness symptoms are keeping you from your normal routine and are absolutely unbearable, talk to your doctor about getting a prescription for a medication that is safe for you and your baby.
TRUE/FALSE QUIZ
- Morning sickness occurs only in the morning.
- You should eat several small meals per day instead of three large meals to help curb nausea.
- All women experience morning sickness.
- Women who experience horrible morning sickness are having a girl.
Answers:
- FALSE – Morning sickness can occur anytime.
- TRUE – Several small meals per day will keep your from having an empty stomach or getting too full.
- FALSE – More than 50 percent of women experience morning sickness—so almost half don’t!
- FALSE – There is no data to prove this. Some women have girls and never experience morning sickness.
Regan Lyons is a freelance writer who lives in St. Joseph, MO, with her husband and two daughters, Atley, 7, and Ensley, 1.
As always, please consult your health care provider with any questions or concerns.
Q&A on Newborn Care
Becoming a new parent and bringing your little bundle home for the first time is exciting. However, no matter how much you prepared for this special homecoming, the days ahead are sure to give you many surprises. You may find some of your questions embarrassing to ask the pediatrician, but don’t worry. When it comes to your new baby, no question is silly. In fact, below are some questions many new parents have asked, along with some helpful answers from doctors and nurses. Maybe you’ll find the answer to one of your own questions.
Question: If I hold my baby too much, am I spoiling her?
Answer: Babies are cuddly and cute for a reason. They’re meant to be held! It’s completely okay to hold your baby during the day, whether in your arms or attached to you in a baby carrier. Nighttime, however, should be time for your baby to wind down on his own without being held and rocked to sleep. Babies who are held or rocked to sleep have a hard time drifting off on their own, and they’re unable to soothe themselves back to sleep when they wake in the night. Instead, try putting your little one in her crib drowsy, but awake, and on her back. This allows her to learn how to fall asleep on her own.
Question: Do I have to breastfeed for one year?
Answer: Breastfeeding has a myriad of benefits, and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends nursing for 12 months, and exclusively for the first six. However, if a mom is no longer enjoying it, she should stop breastfeeding.
Question: How many bowel movements should my newborn have in 24 hours?
Answer: Newborns who are breastfed will generally have three or more bowel movements per 24 hours by day three or four (normal stool for breastfed babies is extremely loose). Infants who are formula fed will generally have one bowel movement per 24 hours (normal formula-fed stool tends to be pasty). However, some infants can have up to 20 per day and still be completely normal.
Question: How many layers should I dress my baby in when we go outside?
Answer: Always dress your baby in one more layer than you have on. If you’re wearing a shirt and a coat, your baby needs those plus a blanket. If it’s windy or chilly outside, put a hat on your baby as well.
Question: How often should I bathe my newborn?
Answer: Your baby should have three baths a week or fewer. More than that will dry out his skin. Be sure to wait until his umbilical cord has fallen off before bathing him.
Question: What if there is oozing or blood after the cord has fallen off?
Answer: A bit of yellowish white gunk at the site of the cord that dries over a few days is normal, as long as the skin around the base of the cord remains normal color. (If it becomes increasingly red, call your pediatrician immediately.) You do not need to use alcohol. Also, a few drops of blood on the diaper as the cord is falling off is normal. If it bleeds a lot (which is rare), apply pressure to stop the bleeding and call your pediatrician right away.
As a new parent, you will have a lot of questions pop up during the first year. Don’t be afraid to ask your baby’s pediatrician or nurse. They’ve heard it all, so there’s no reason to fear that your question is odd. In the meantime, be sure to always put Baby to sleep on her back, keep up with doctor appointments and immunizations, breastfeed if you can, and keep her sleeping space clear of pillows, crib bumpers and toys.
Gina Klein is a mom and author who resides in Kansas City with her husband, two daughters and many wonderful pets.
As always, please consult your health care provider with any questions or concerns.
Going the Distance: Why reaching full term matters
At 37 weeks pregnant, you’re on the home stretch and eagerly awaiting the arrival of your baby. Your doctor warned you that these last few weeks of pregnancy would be the toughest. And she was right. You can’t sleep. You can’t get comfortable, and every five minutes you have to go to the bathroom. What’s wrong with just having your baby now?
Gather your patience. Most doctors discourage elective inductions or cesareans before 39 weeks, which is considered full-term, unless waiting poses a health risk to a mom or baby.
If everything is normal, “safety for baby comes first, and so 39 to 41 weeks is ideal as far as the growth of baby,” says Rabiya Suleman, OB/GYN, Overland Park Regional Medical Center. “Before that, we can’t guarantee that your baby isn’t going to have a NICU stay.”
The risks. Babies born before 39 weeks are at higher risk of suffering from breathing problems and other health issues.
“For baby, one of the last organs to fully develop is the lungs,” says Raschelle Schowengerdt, OB/GYN, Meritas Health Obstetrics & Gynecology, North Kansas City. “Every week the baby is born early significantly increases the chance of respiratory distress after birth.”
And that means an increased likelihood that your infant will need supplemental oxygen or respiratory support in your hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). In addition to breathing issues, babies born prematurely may have more trouble eating and are at greater risk of developing jaundice.
Necessary medical evaluation and treatment also can mean time apart from your newborn. “This disrupts bonding—a very crucial time in the cycle of the mom-baby dyad, and may be a source of anxiety and depression for them both at the time of separation and possibly later down the road,” says certified nurse midwife Eva Miller, APRN, clinical director, New Birth Company, Overland Park. Furthermore, Miller says this separation can negatively impact breastfeeding success.
Benefits of waiting. Going into labor naturally without medical intervention increases the chances that your labor will go quickly.
“With an induction of labor, oftentimes multiple medications are needed to coax your body into labor. The process can last several days,” Dr. Schowengerdt says. “An elective induction of labor increases the risk of needing a cesarean by 50 percent.”
What about scheduled c-sections? Or what if you choose VBAC? “Repeat c-sections we deliver at 39 weeks,” Dr. Suleman says. For women who choose vaginal birth after a previous cesarean (VBAC), she advises waiting for natural labor to occur to increase the chances of success.
Medical interventions that can prevent preterm birth. According to the March of Dimes, preterm birth can cause lifelong disabilities for a baby, and often death. Women who are low in progesterone, which is a hormone that helps maintain pregnancy, are at higher risk for problems with conception, miscarriage and preterm labor. Let your doctor know at your first prenatal visit whether you’ve experienced preterm birth in the past. If so, your physician may recommend a weekly injection of 17-hydroxyprogesterone between 16 and 36 weeks.
“It has been shown to decrease the chance of recurrent preterm birth by approximately 50 percent,” Dr. Schowengerdt says.
What you can do. Healthy habits and a healthy lifestyle before and during pregnancy can also help prevent preterm birth.
At your first prenatal visit with your health care provider, share your pregnancy history and discuss any drugs, vitamins or herbal supplements that you take, your emotional and physical health and your lifestyle habits.
As soon as possible—at least three months prior to conception if you can—begin taking prenatal vitamins (available over the counter) that contain at least 400 mcg folic acid, which can help prevent brain and spinal cord birth defects.
Maintain a healthy weight through a nutrient-rich diet and moderate exercise. Most pregnant women only need to add about 300 more calories to their daily diet. Exercises like walking, swimming or prenatal yoga can help you stay fit and strong and help you manage low back, hip and pelvic pain.
Don’t forget to see your dentist. “Studies have found that women with infected gums/teeth are at higher risk for preterm labor,” Miller says.
Avoid high risk sexual behavior or switching partners during pregnancy. “A sexually transmitted infection can cause the water around the baby to break early causing preterm labor,” Miller says.
As always, notify your health care provider if you have any concerns during your pregnancy. “Something as simple as a UTI (urinary tract infection) can cause an expectant mother to go into labor,” Miller says. Symptoms of a UTI include painful urination, frequent urination, feeling of inability to empty the bladder, burning, and irritation that may or may not be accompanied by a fever.
Above all, remember that you’ll reach the finish line soon enough. In the meantime, make every week count toward giving your baby the healthiest start possible to the marathon of life.
Common reasons for early induction.
Your doctor may recommend an induction before 39 weeks if you or your baby faces health risks. Common reasons for early delivery include:
- You’re expecting twins/multiples.
- You’ve been diagnosed with hypertension or pre-eclampsia.
- You’re experiencing complications with diabetes.
- You have a vertical incision on the uterus or you’ve had a previous surgery on your uterus, which makes a vaginal delivery dangerous.
Source: Dr. Rabiya Suleman, OB/GYN, Overland Park Regional Medical Center
Freelance journalist Christa Melnyk Hines resides in Olathe with her family, which includes her husband, two active boys and a menagerie of pets.
As always, please consult your health care provider with any questions or concerns.
Babyproofing 101
So, your baby is moving and shaking now! Babies in motion can be hard to handle. I know, you carried them for 9 months, feed them, clothe them, watch them poop on everything and this is the thanks they give you! I know the feeling all too well. Believe it or not, this is only the being of an amazing process. Before you know it, your little one will be off to prom and then to college, and then you’ll be asking yourself where the time went. For the moment, though, let’s focus on the present—crawling comes before getting a driver’s license. And now that your baby is ready to roam and explore on her hands and knees, the time has come to babyproof the house. So, let’s get into it!
We all believe our home is the safest on the planet until something happens. So how can we prevent accidents from happening to our little ones—especially the dangers we don’t see?
First things first:
Get on Baby’s level.
You’d be surprised what you can see when you experience a little tummy time. The first time I got the floor with my little one, I immediately saw all the sharp edges and the shiny things I keep on my entertainment center. From that perspective, it started to make sense why the baby always crawled over to it and used the openings to pull himself up so he could reach those appealing objects to pull down. To lower my blood pressure, I removed all the shiny glass and pointy objects from the entertainment center, made sure the furniture piece was anchored and gave my valuables a new place to live. Seeing the world on all fours can help you understand your child’s perspective and also give you peace of mind.
Start in areas where your kid spends the most time.
It’s easy to go out and buy bulletproof glass, shields and fireproof blankets to build an impregnable fortress with, but does that guarantee your baby’s safety? Maybe not so much. Instead, think about where your child spends the most time. Going all out on the most expensive trinkets isn’t necessary, but you can eliminate lurking dangers in a focused area. Living rooms take precedence in most households. Make sure your child can’t pull down things that could pin him underneath. Make sure heavy glass, small items and things with sharp edges are far out of his reach, too.
Proof as the child grows.
You’ll be amazed at how quickly your child grows. You’ll be even more shocked at how quickly she learns how to open gates, pull things down from tall places and climb out of enclosures. My kid likes to climb out of the crib and touch electric sockets. I’m not quite sure whether that’s a mark of genius or a cause for concern, but I’ve taken precautions. I’ve found it helpful to cushion the outer perimeter of the crib and bought plastic covers that are hard for children to remove from sockets. It cost me a few pillows from my bed and, I believe, around 10 bucks for the plastic covers. Buy what you need, improvise creatively and remember before you spend hundreds of dollars on babyproofing gadgets that tots will outsmart them and outgrow them. Curious little ones learn daily, which means you’ll have to work to stay a step ahead of them.
Always ask for help!
Assistance is key! What most first-time parents make the mistake of doing is thinking they can do it all. That’s just not true. Although some are really good at balancing a baby with the regular stuff of life, everyone does not have that gift—and even the very best can learn a thing or two. We all need a little help, and you’d be surprised at how many friends, family and colleagues are willing to jump at the opportunity when a little cutie pie is involved. It takes a village to raise a child, and you’ll need a village and your family plus two more. Make use of that network when the network is together because babies require a constant watchful eye. Family barbecues, for instance, are a great example of when you may be able to call for some safety supervision backup. If you’re hosting or even just participating, you can easily find someone to step in and watch your little explorer until you are back in the room. My favorite excuse is the bathroom. It’s an easy out for a quick break, and someone is always willing to watch the baby for the few minutes of solitude you need. My only cautions is to assign someone specific and trustworthy before you walk away.
Be smart when it comes to hot and clean.
I don’t know about the children in your life, but the ones in mine are obsessed with things that plug into the wall. And with colorful cleaners—particularly in the kitchen and the bathroom. To children, chemicals scream, “Juice!” The colorful packaging is dangerously appealing. My advice to you: Lock it up. I like to keep my cleaners in a bin that snaps shut because the lids are a bit harder for kids to open, and I lock up the bins somewhere safe, usually in the bathroom under the sink. When I use my curlers or anything hot, I try to stay in one place and I make sure the children can’t reach. One trick that I use when cooling my curlers down or even using them when kids are close in range is setting the hot coil inside the bowl of the sink and the cord on the counter. The house doesn’t burn down, and no one gets hurt.
If all else fails, create a checklist. You know what works best for your kids and for your home. Grow with the proofing and with your child.
Jessica Samuel lives in Kansas City and is a freelance writer and photographer.
As always, please consult your health care provider with any questions or concerns.
Adding to the nest
The decision to expand your family is a major one. Huge, actually. It’s a bigger decision than some parents realize. There are so many factors to consider before taking that next step.
First off, kids are expensive—100 percent worth it, but expensive! Can you budget to be able to provide for multiple babies? Are you a stay-at-home or working mom? Will you need to finally pull the trigger on purchasing that minivan you’ve been eyeing?
It’s important to be realistic about adding to the family, in addition to dreaming big. Having a family of seven kids might sound magical and fulfilling until you’re spreading yourself too thin and not meeting everyone’s emotional needs. On the other hand, you might be just the kind of parents to love and lead a big brood.
Before my second baby arrived, I was worried about my firstborn. Would he feel left out? Would the transition be tough on him? How could I even love another human as much as my firstborn?
Well, a mom can and she does—it’s amazing! You’ve just got to be intentional. Adding another bundle of joy to the mix, admittedly hard, is just the best. Prepare yourself, and you can do it, even on the tough days.
Exhaustion is an undeniable reality. Some days you’ll just want to send your older kid to Grandma and Grandpa’s house so you can snuggle with your baby or close your eyes for a moment when he does. Some days you should do that. Other days, put together a puzzle with your toddler while your baby stretches in the Pack ’n Play.
Magical days happen, too. Those are the days when you’re snuggling your newborn on the couch while your older kiddo plays directly across from you, occasionally running up to you to kiss his baby sister on the head and pet your hair. Maybe you’ll sit with your firstborn and play with Play-Doh while your baby naps right next to you.
Remember those sweet moments when you’re in the thick of parenting more than one child. Because you will have days they both poop at the same time and need some major cleanup. Or you might be starving, but your toddler is having a meltdown because he wants to play outside, but it’s raining, and your newborn needs to nurse again. You’ll long for a peaceful moment to breathe, but your baby is cranky from teething and your son is cranky from boredom.
Every mom has advice and stories from the trenches, each uniquely her own, familiar and relatable. There is no all-encompassing perfect advice, only a survival guide of general principles. Glean from others but know you’ll find your groove. I will offer one piece of important advice: Soak up all the moments you can with your first baby before your new one arrives. Just enjoy that one-on-one time. And when your second arrives, include your other kiddos as much as possible.
Once you’re a family of four—or more—there is no going back, and your time will be significantly divided among a number of small children who need you nearly every waking moment. Remember that when you begin to stress about not accomplishing tasks you think you should be able to finish. Do what you can and be at peace about it. You really don’t have the uninterrupted time you used to have before you became the mother of more than one.
Help your firstborn through this challenging season, too. Tell him you love him until it becomes excessive. Even if he gets tired of it. Hug her out of the blue. Get a box of fun toys out of the closet. Remind her that her feelings are valid—it’s okay to want Mom’s attention even when you’re changing the umpteenth diaper of the day.
Even when you’re drained, remember that your beautiful choice to bring another kiddo into the world in turn rocks your firstborn’s world. It’s your obligation to validate big brother or big sister’s emotional needs. You won’t be a perfect mom, but you’ll be one who tries. You’ll inevitably be running on empty some days. Ask your partner or family members for help so you can reset.
Mom pro tips:
- Snag moments to yourself. Wake up 15 minutes before everyone else to listen to music or meditate and stretch while drinking your coffee.
- They won’t nap at the same time. Just accept that and move on. And laugh about it.
- You may have to help your 5-year-old get his head un-stuck while you’re breastfeeding your newborn.
- Sometimes they both cry at the same time. Or get sick at the same time.
- You might feel like you’re running around in circles accomplishing nothing some days, yet you’re totally exhausted. I think that’s normal.
- It’s hard at first, but you’ll get used to being there for two tiny humans at once.
- You’ll wish you could clone yourself.
- You might finally give in and let your older kiddo eat ice cream for breakfast.
- You may start a load of laundry and forget to switch it over to the dryer for two days.
- There will never be enough coffee. Ever.
- Let Grandma, Grandpa or Aunt Susan babysit for you.
- Include your firstborn in anything and everything you do with the new baby. Let the older sibling be part of it all.
- Get a special present or “goodie basket” for your other kid(s) before the baby is born. I went to Dollar Tree and collected a few of my son’s favorites before his sister was born. I wanted him to feel special, too.
- Meditate. A lot. Try to find your calm before adding to the household. It will benefit both you and your kids.
- Sign up for a meal delivery subscription or just meal plan. Prepare frozen casseroles, stock up on snacks and caffeine. Did I already mention coffee?
- You’ll probably ignore a lot of phone calls for a while, and that’s okay. Text messaging works, too.
Emily Morrison is a freelance writer, former copy editor, full-time mommy and Disney fanatic who lives in Independence with her husband, son, daughter and dog.