Natural Remedies for the First Trimester

While the first trimester of pregnancy can be smooth and sweet for some, mine was plagued with a level of nausea reminiscent of my college days. Except the nights of hardcore dancing, drinking, and ramen noodles were replaced with much less enticing things, like the site of certain foods on social media, or exposing my now superhuman sense of smell to the aromas of NYC in the height of summer. I had it all: 24/7 nausea, constipation, bleeding gums, restless sleep, fatigue, and a horrendously sour aftertaste that refused to go away.

As a health-obsessed nutritionist, I couldn’t bare the thought of suffering through it another day, let alone another 8 months. So I took matter into my own hands and dipped deep into the well of my profession to find all-natural remedies that would alleviate nausea and other icky side effects of pregnancy.

Here is how you can cope with some of pregnancy’s most unpleasant symptoms, au naturel:

1. Eating small, clean meals throughout the day will keep you nourished and quell nausea.
2. Sipping on ginger tea can calm an upset stomach, relieve motion sickness and help digest heavy foods. Bonus: it also soothes your soul!
3. Magnesium is a vital mineral for pregnancy. Get it in dark leafy greens, seaweed, or supplements like Natural Calm—a fizzy, flavorful powder you mix with water — to stay hydrated and to prevent nausea.
4. Replace carbs with protein-rich foods to give your body the nutrients it needs, like vitamins A, B, D, K and E. A salad with pre-cooked or cold rotisserie chicken, turkey, or wild salmon makes for a refreshing, nutrient-rich meal.
5. Have your last meal at least 3 hours before bed to avoid late-night heartburn.
6. Superfood smoothies were always a safe bet. Cold and refreshing, these sweet sips are full of fiber, fruits and veggies that are energizing and nutritious — perfect to stay well fed and hydrated throughout the day.
7. Young Living peppermint & lavender homemade body scrub creates a refreshing and relaxing spa experience—shed dead skin, massage away achy muscles, and breathe in beneficial, oil-infused mist—without leaving home! Here’s the recipe I went by:
   1. 1 cup coconut sugar
   2. 1⁄2 cup coconut oil
   3. 20 drops lavender essential oil (calming, great for skin)
   4. 20 drops peppermint essential oil (combats nausea, energizing)
   5. Mix contents in a glass mason jar and start scrubbing!
8. Apple cider vinegar has been used to relieve heartburn for centuries. It can be a tough taste to swallow, but it works!
   1. Mix 1 tablespoon of Bragg’s ACV with 1 cup of water and drink before bed.

I hope these health-driven tips help you as much as I did me. Share your progress in the comments below to let us know how they help you manage your symptoms or to share any other natural tricks you may have.