The nausea set in around month two and didn’t leave until the placenta was delivered. They say that in the second trimester everything settles down. Unfortunately for me, I was one of the lucky ones. That being said… they also say that it’s rare to have nausea during the whole pregnancy but in the last year of chatting with pregnant women and new moms I would say at least 50% of them were nauseous during their whole pregnancy. Of course, the only common thread between all of our stories is that brown food was the best.
Challenging my Relationship with Food
What I eat my baby eats. That rhetoric is repeated constantly in books, on social media, and in the doctor’s office. My only question to those people is: Do french fries count?
Goodbye, Vegan
My husband and I went vegan during the summer of 2021. I also had a goal of eating whole vegan foods before getting pregnant, so it aligned perfectly. Our journey as vegans in a meat-loving province is a story for another post, so I’ll skip ahead to the moment it ended.
Double-baked chicken Alfredo lasagna.
That was the most delicious thing I had ever tasted. I was struggling with terrible morning sickness, but giving in to my craving was exactly what I needed. We said goodbye to all things vegan—vegetables, tofu, and anything plant-based that made me physically ill—and embraced the world of meat and dairy. This shift alleviated my sickness and marked the beginning of my acceptance that this baby would change my life forever.
Lactose Intolerance, Who Dis?
I have been lactose intolerant since high school—well, probably even before that, but we only figured it out during high school. I tried taking lactase pills for a while, but they didn’t provide a long-term solution. I had resigned myself to a life without dairy treats.
Then pregnancy came along, and overnight, I found I could handle dairy. Not just tolerate it, but I could eat a whole double-baked chicken Alfredo lasagna on my own and be completely fine! I guess what I’m trying to say is: you win some, you lose some. Pregnancy brings unexpected gifts, and even though you may feel like a garbage can that can only tolerate brown food, it’s important to embrace this phase. It doesn’t last forever.
Turning Down Food
How do you tell your husband, who spent all evening preparing a delicious meal, that you can’t even step into the house, let alone eat it? He would cook amazing dishes, but the moment I caught a whiff, my stomach would turn. Sometimes I could manage to eat half, but other times, even the leftovers made me sick.
The kitchen renovation turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Since we couldn’t eat at home, we ended up dining out a lot, which helped satisfy my cravings without forcing my husband to eat the brown food I craved. It was bad for our budget, but that’s a topic for another post.
After the renovation, we returned to cooking, but it was still hard for me to eat anything Nathan made. He’s a great cook, but I just couldn’t handle it. At least I could prepare my own fruit, saving money on overpriced pre-cut watermelon!
Meal prepping was tough because we could never plan more than two days ahead. My food aversions got so bad that I couldn’t even go into a grocery store.
How did we manage? Through constant communication. Nathan understood what I was going through, and we talked about every aversion and craving, celebrating whenever we found something semi-healthy that I could eat.
Brown Food? The shame!
By the end of my first trimester, I was no longer vegan, I was eating a ton of dairy, and all I wanted to eat was brown food.
Where were my balanced macros? Gone.
Rainbow eating? Gone.
Supporting local farmers? McDonald’s and Tim Hortons are local, right?
All I could think was, “How can I grow a healthy baby when all I’m eating is junior chicken burgers, potato wedges, and Honey Nut Cheerios?” However, honoring my body’s cravings eased my nausea and made me feel better. I recently had a bowl of Cheerios as a midnight breastfeeding snack, but they instantly gave me heartburn and I couldn’t sleep for the rest of the night.
Pregnancy is a wild ride, and it doesn’t last forever. Honor your body and listen to your cravings. Who cares if you gain weight? I gained over 66 lbs during my pregnancy! You are beautiful and strong, and your baby is telling you what they need. Listen, and start your relationship with trust and love.
My Recommendations
Get a Reliefband ASAP
Even before I was pregnant, I had terrible motion sickness. I couldn’t look at my phone or even the map in the car without feeling sick. During pregnancy, even road signs made me feel nauseous. I tried everything from Gravol to patches and pressure point bracelets, but nothing worked.
Then I saw the Reliefband in an Instagram ad. I bought it, tried it, and it changed my life.
This little bracelet sends small electric pulses through your wrist and helped me regain my freedom. I could check my phone, read a map, choose a song, and even look behind me at the people in the backseat! I felt unleashed!
Wearing it during my pregnancy eased my constant nausea. I wore it all day and only took it off at night—though I did wear it to sleep a couple of times for some rest.
If you’re looking for relief, this is the product to get. I have the official Reliefband, but my coworker let me borrow hers, and I actually prefer it. The charger isn’t great on my Reliefband, and hers is much cheaper.
Embrace Morning Carbs
Before getting pregnant, I had been following a fasting routine, so adapting to this change was really challenging for me. The last thing I wanted to do was eat in the morning, but if I had to, I would opt for fruit. However, that just made everything worse! The two foods I ended up eating on rotation were:
- Honey Nut Cheerios with milk
- Hot oatmeal with raisins, nuts, and milk
Is It Your Prenatal?
I went through four different brands of prenatal vitamins before my OB/GYN prescribed Pregvit. I’m not saying that Pregvit fixed all my issues, but it was definitely better than the other brands I had tried. I wish I could have gone for a food-based prenatal, but that just wasn’t an option for me. If you’re feeling nauseous, consider changing your prenatal.
Elevate During Sleep
Several years ago, when we were buying a new bed, we chose one with an adjustable frame because I knew I wanted to have babies. I’m so grateful we did! I would start my night sitting up in bed, and as the night went on, I would gradually flatten the bed. This is just another example of my husband’s endless patience. In hindsight, we probably should have gotten a frame with dual-sided adjustments.
Communicate with Your Support People
Nausea is tough on you, and it’s also challenging for those who are trying their best to support you. It’s important to communicate with them. Share how you’re feeling, even if you feel embarrassed or worry about hurting their feelings! Allow them to see your vulnerabilities, and clearly express what you need. No one can read minds, and having that expectation will only harm you and make you feel worse!
Thoughts I Practiced
- I am beautiful.
- I am nourishing my body.
- I am listening to what my body and baby need.
- I am calm.
- This is temporary.
- I trust that my body knows what it’s doing.
- I am loved.
Conclusion
When I let go of my “healthy eating” mindset, things became easier. Ultimately, it’s important to listen to your cravings, honor your body, and maintain open communication with your support system during this wonderful journey. I hope you find something helpful here!
Until next time,
– CL