Pregnant? Upset Stomach?

An upset stomach is believed to be one of the first signs of pregnancy. The exact cause behind this side effect of pregnancy is not known; however, many researchers believe pregnant women experience an upset stomach because of the sudden hormonal changes. Another reason attributed to this is the acid levels in the stomach increase as digestion slows down during pregnancy.

Nausea (a side effect of pregnancy) is also believed to trigger of an upset stomach as well. Constipation is yet another side effect women experience. With that said, I personally did not enjoy these side effects when pregnant with my son, for which I am grateful. But I did receive quite a few recommendations and tips about how to offset these side effects that I think might be helpful for those who are pregnant, may become pregnant or know someone who is.

So, if you are in a similar situation, and actually even if you aren’t pregnant or if you are of the male persuasion where getting pregnant is not in the cards for you, you may still find the following tips and suggestions helpful.

• Avoid foods with a pungent smell and high concentration of unsaturated fats. Being pregnant enhances your senses, and these odors can trigger nausea.
• If you are suffering from constipation, increase your fluid intake and eat lots of fibrous foods like apples, green leafy vegetables, etc. An example might be if you are drinking five glasses of non-caffeinated, no-sugar fluids, then increase your fluid intake to seven or eight glasses a day.
• Drinking a cup of ginger tea can help you find relief as well. You can either use raw ginger steeped in hot water or purchase natural, organic ginger teas.
• Chewing roasted garlic cloves is considered an effective natural remedy for relieving heartburn and general indigestion.
• Chewing a teaspoon of fenugreek seeds is believed to soothe the stomach, as they help in reducing acid formation.
• Adding a few drops of lavender oil to your bath water can help cure an upset stomach as well. Aroma therapists believe the scent of lavender can soothe the stomach and relax the body. If you are thinking of using peppermint oil when pregnant, you would be best advised to research the side effects it may have on pregnancies and unborn children prior to use. Make sure you consult the use of any oils with a certified aromatherapist before using.
• Some women also find acupressure beneficial for curing their indigestion.
• Avoid eating fried and spicy foods.
• As much as the sight of food turns you off, don’t stop eating. An empty stomach will only make your condition worse. Instead, have small nutritious meals several times a day.

These tips and tricks can hopefully make your pregnancy relatively comfortable and somewhat pain-free. And if you are not pregnant and find yourself having an upset stomach, you might do well to remember a few of these. I personally always keep ginger and/or licorice teas in my cupboard as well as try to keep my water intake to a minimum of seven or eight glasses each day. If you have any tips you would like to share, we’d love to have you leave them in the comments below.

Until next time, embrace your inner wisdom.

Namaste,
Karen