Kate Middleton, Amy Schumer, Kim Kardashian, Kelly Clarkson, what do all of these ladies have in common? Besides…
They all suffered from Hyperemesis Gravidarum.
Hyperemesis Gravidarum is morning sickness from the devil – nausea and vomiting so severe it puts the mother at risk of malnutrition. It can last 20 weeks into pregnancy, sometimes longer, a bit more than the standard first trimester. As a chiropractor, patients often think that chiropractic is good for lower back pain, neck pain, headaches, end of list. They don’t realize that the benefits of chiropractic care extend far beyond pain relief. We love to educate our patients about the power of chiropractic to restore balance and optimal function to the body, in addition to relieving and preventing pain.
While having Hyperemesis Gravidarum, which sounds very much like a Harry Potter spell, may make one feel like a celebrity, it comes at a cost. It’s the most common cause of hospitalization in the first half of pregnancy and makes most pregnant women question why they were even born to begin with. The cost:
- Severe nausea and vomiting
- Dehydration
- Electrolyte imbalances
- Nutrient deficiencies
- Decrease in urination
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Extreme fatigue
- Confusion
- Weight loss
- Food aversions and cravings
- Headaches
- Jaundice
- Loss of skin elasticity
- Low blood pressure
- Rapid heart rate
- Difficulty with daily activities
Someone may say, “yeah, but 80% of women experience some form of nausea during pregnancy that usually subsides around week 12, so boo hoo hoo,” to which I would say, “while your knowledge of statistics is quite impressive, women suffering from Hyperemesis Gravidarum experience severe dehydration from all the puking, making it normal for many of them to lose 5% of their body weight. It increases the risk of placental disorders, low birth weight, preterm labor, colic, irritability, and growth restriction in the baby, but also depression, anxiety, and postpartum depression, not to mention muscle weakness, PTSD, and autoimmune disorders for women post-pregnancy.”
Here are 6 natural ways to relieve symptoms of Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) that will make any mom-to-be not regret her choices and feel like the goddess that she is. Why 6? Because 6 is pregnant, just look at it!
1. Dietary Shuffle
Pregnant women need a variety of nutrients for the health and proper development of their baby, but getting adequate nutrition is kinda tough when everything that gets eaten comes back up the same way it went down.
First and foremost, any foods that trigger nausea must be identified and avoided. It’s like a diary, but less about boys and more about hard-boiled eggs, which coincidentally have the same emotional capacity as a man. It may be helpful to employ the grazing method with HG. Eating smaller amounts of food and fluid more often may help relieve symptoms. Also, research suggests that meals higher in protein and carbs and lower in fats and acid will decrease symptoms.
Pregnancy is an incredibly magical time, primarily because eating a loaf of bread in one sitting is encouraged rather than shamed.
2. Too Blessed to Be Stressed
Women who are suffering from HG symptoms should do their best to take their mind off of their condition by reducing stress and getting plenty of rest. That is easier said than done. Exhaustion is common in most pregnancies, but HG can cause prolonged fatigue which may require a woman to need bed rest. Take it!
Stress weakens our immune system and our body’s ability to heal. And not just a little bit, like “omg I’m so stressed I have a cold” like “HOLY HELL MY BODY IS REJECTING THIS PARASITE IN MY WOMB.” Stress turns on our “fight or flight” immune response diverting energy from life-sustaining and healing functions to protect the body from a perceived threat. A woman’s body is already working overtime during pregnancy, it doesn’t need to be slowed down by a compromised immune system.
This is also an emotionally insane time, further complicated by symptoms of HG. Do not be ashamed to get emotional support. Our minds need just as much love as our bodies. Seeking support from a counselor or support forums can be extremely helpful for women dealing with the seemingly endless symptoms of HG.
3. Stay Active
For those women who are bedridden because of the severity of their symptoms, physical therapy can be a great way to stay in shape.
Learning simple exercises that help maintain muscle tone and flexibility may not only lessen the impact of being inactive but also improve postural stability. This is especially important for moms with HG since they have a higher risk of falling than other pregnant women – even if they’re just walking around their own house.
4. Supplement When Needed
Ginger is known to ease nausea and block the type of gastrointestinal responses that plague a woman with HG. In mild to moderate cases, ginger essential oil or ginger tea may be just what’s needed to provide a respite from hugging the toilet.
Vitamin B6, while not as sexy as ginger, has been shown to reduce vomiting and nausea in women with severe HG symptoms – 25-50 milligrams, 3x a day did the trick. Obviously, talk to a healthcare provider before swallowing a whole bottle of the stuff.
Thiamine, or vitamin B1 “the OG B” as no one calls it, can also be helpful in the quest to keep down a meal. B1 plays a vital role in metabolizing food for energy and maintaining proper heart and nerve functions. It allows us to extract energy from food, turning nutrients into usable energy. All good things for pregnant women.
How’d that get in here?
5. Stare Deep Into My Eyes
At an annual school-sponsored event in high school, my friend, along with 20 other classmates, was hypnotized and believed himself to be a chicken for 30 minutes. Don’t underestimate hypnotherapy.
Hypnotherapy can be very therapeutic (it’s in the name!) and help hyper-stressed individuals get into a relaxed state, something we know is essential for proper nerve function throughout the body. A pregnant woman’s mind is a great medical mystery; cracking that impenetrable fortress may take an otherworldly method.
6. Chiropractic Care: The Ultimate Relief
Obviously, this was going to be on the list. Quite frankly, it should be on every list. The fundamental belief with chiropractic care is that the body is capable of finding balance and can heal itself. Chiropractic treatments remove interference that prevents that natural process from occurring.
Pregnancy alters the body’s physical structure in many ways, which can put pressure on the nerve network that handles communication and energy transfers between the brain and the body. Muscle atrophy, musculoskeletal system changes, and immobility can all be helped through the specific and gentle techniques of chiropractic care. It’s not all dramatic bone crushing.
Removing the interference that a changing physical structure can cause, will stimulate the healing process and allow for better communication between the brain and all the body’s systems. Getting the nervous system back to normal will help regulate hormones and restore the body’s empirical ability to manage pregnancy. Chiropractic care is also proven to promote relaxation and return a sense of body ownership to women.
Spending days on end crouched over the toilet is not good for the ol’ back. Chiropractic adjustments can fix these posture problems and muscle imbalances that cause lower back pain. Supplemented with acupuncture and massage, these are powerful tools in restoring balance and sanity.
Pregnancy is one of the most incredible times of a woman’s life, it’s an experience that the majority of human beings will never know. It should be a time for focusing on the relationship between mother and child, not the bottom of a toilet. We’re dedicated to educating our patients about how they can restore balance and energy to their lives through natural means. Call us or schedule a time to talk with one of our incredible doctors. You shouldn’t just survive during your pregnancy, you should thrive!
