Managing Morning Sickness with Homeopathy

Simply put, morning sickness is when a pregnant woman has nausea and/or vomiting during pregnancy. This can also be accompanied by great fatigue and a sensitivity to tastes and smells.

Despite it's name, morning sickness doesn't have to occur in the morning. It can actually be present any time of the day and sometimes all throughout the day.

For the most part, scientists don't know exactly what causes some women to experience morning sickness. Though these researchers seems to think they've found the answer. I'm not sure I agree.

One thing that IS known is that when a woman gets pregnant, there's an increase in the hormone hCG. Scientists have always assumed hormones could play a role in morning sickness. And this thought is one that I tend to wholeheartedly agree with.

An increase in hCG is a good thing. It's what leads to a viable pregnancy. But with an increase in hCG comes an increase in other hormones such as estrogen and progesterone as well as increased bile production. And this is what causes nausea.

You may have heard it said that when a newly pregnant woman has morning sickness, she's less likely to miscarry. And it completely makes sense because that means there's a significant increase hormone levels.

Another reason a woman may have morning sickness is due to prenatal vitamins. Taking prenatal vitamins on an empty stomach or during the daytime can actually increase nausea.

If you previously read my article What are Cell Salts, you know that supplement versions of vitamins and minerals can actually be toxic to us over a period of time. Perhaps morning sickness is a way our body tells us that we don't need that prenatal vitamin.

Other reasons pregnant women may have morning sickness are dehydration, blood sugar issues, or even lack of exercise. And the types of foods in a pregnant woman's diet (such as carbs, greasy, and fried foods) can also make her more likely to have morning sickness.

Here's yet another area where homeopathy can shine. Because homeopathic medicines are so highly dilute, don't have side effects, and don't have any taste or smell, they are a perfect way to help a pregnant woman suffering from morning sickness.

Here are a few homeopathic medicines I like to use with clients that may help or even eliminate morning sickness for good:

As I stated above, there are many reasons why a pregnant woman may suffer with morning sickness. So there are also many ways to help a woman find relief.

If dehydration is the culprit, be sure to increase your water intake. Smaller sips throughout the day may do better than drinking big gulps of water at any given time.

Check your diet. Eliminate or minimize sugar, carbs, and greasy/fatty foods and focus on more protein, fruits/veggies, and HEALTHY fats.

Get adequate exercise. Exercise can improve blood flow, prevent constipation, and provide you with fresh air (if you exercise outside). All of these things can in return reduce nausea.

And one of my personal favorites: EAT BEANS!!!

This recommendation comes from what I previously said about hCG and other hormones and how they play into increasing bile production. Bile flow is how our bodies move toxins through the body. The soluble fiber content of beans is what binds to this excess bile and it's toxins to move it right on out of the body...and in return, decrease morning sickness.

The "bean protocol" comes from nutritionist Karen Hurd. She says:

"The answer is to eat legumes. Now you must know to what extent you must eat legumes. If you are feeling nauseous, you must immediately consume your beans. You will need to eat at least 1/4 cup of cooked legumes. If you can eat more, it is even better. You will see relief in under 20 minutes. The nausea will go away. However, the nausea will be back in a period of time. That period of time is dependent upon the liver’s stimulation to produce more bile. If the hCG hormone is at high levels, it won’t be long (1-4 hours) before you are feeling that queasy feeling again. Then what? You eat your beans again. And so you go. You eat beans every time you have that nauseous feeling. If that means you are spending the majority of your time at the table with a bowl of beans in front of you, so be it! It will only be for a short period of time. As the bile is carried out of your body, the successive releases of bile become less potent with debris. After the consumption of legumes, each release of bile is less nauseating. Eventually (within a few days) you will not have to hang your head over a pile of beans all day. In fact, you will be able to consume beans just once or twice in the day to prevent the morning sickness from reoccurring."

I have personally told my chiropractic patients as well as my homeopathic clients to prepare a small bowl of beans and eat a few spoonfuls every 30ish minutes. Usually by or before the third time, the nausea has completely resolved. Rarely have I had women need to continue eating beans for more than a day.

Now you might be asking "what type of beans should be used?" Not green beans! But others like pinto beans, black beans, kidney beans, great northern beans, etc. would be the beans of choice to help with morning sickness.

I was told about this "bean protocol" by a midwife just a short time after I had my son. Boy do I wish I had known about this method while I was pregnant with him. I had horrible morning sickness for the majority of my pregnancy.

If you know a woman who is pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant, please pass this article along to her. I'm sure she would be greatful for all the information she can get in the event that she is one of the 70% of women who suffer with morning sickness.