Hydrate and replenish your electrolytes!
Pregnancy is such a happy occasion until you start vomiting. Unfortunately, some women experience a severe form of morning sickness known as hyperemesis gravidarum, which can be serious. Whether you are vomiting now and then or continually vomiting, you need to be aware of fluid intake so that you don't become dehydrated.
Vomiting is a major cause of fluid loss. Dehydration during pregnancy can become dangerous for you and your baby. You may find it hard to consume six to eight glasses of water per day when you are nauseated; however, keep in mind that dehydration can increase nausea. Increased nausea is the second to the last thing you need during pregnancy morning sickness. The last thing you need is dehydration.
Let's take a look at the best way to hydrate during pregnancy, tips to restore electrolytes with food, and some morning sickness remedies that might help.
HOW DO YOU HYDRATE WITH MORNING SICKNESS?
As naturally as possible. Obviously, water is a great way to hydrate. The problem with water alone is that it doesn't replace the electrolytes that you lose when vomiting. Electrolytes are electrically charged compounds that your body requires to perform vital functions like controlling blood volume, blood clotting, and muscle contractions, to name a few.
Health care providers often recommend sports drinks like Gatorade or oral rehydrating solutions such as Pedialyte. At first glance, these seem like good options until you read the labels. They are full of sugar, carbohydrates, and artificial ingredients. You may think when you're pregnant, there is no need to be concerned with your sugar and carbohydrate intake. However, pregnancy-induced diabetes or gestational diabetes is prevalent and can lead to complications with your pregnancy.
More concerning than the sugar content, however, is the artificial ingredients and processed electrolytes. The last thing you want to put in your body and the body of your developing baby are chemicals that could have long-term effects. Fortunately, there is a more natural alternative. It's called HYDRATE.
HYDRATE is an all-natural, organic way to prevent dehydration. and restore electrolytes. It has only six ingredients with 7g of carbohydrates and 1g of sugar from dehydrated lemon juice. HYDRATE is made of organic lemon juice, organic coconut water, organic stevia, Himalayan pink salt, magnesium sea minerals, and ascorbic acid. These are all-natural ingredients that come from the earth and not from a laboratory.
Just fill your water bottle with HYDRATE when you get up in the morning and drink it throughout the day with confidence. The light homemade lemonade taste is clean, crisp, and will provide healthy hydration for you and your baby.
TIPS FOR REPLACING ELECTROLYTES WITH FOOD
Drinking fluids is not the only way to rehydrate and replace electrolytes. You can also get fluids and electrolytes in the foods that you eat. Juicy fruits like watermelon, berries, and citrus might also help curb nausea. Some foods that help restore hydration and electrolytes include:
- Milk
- Kale
- Beans
- Yogurt
- Turkey
- Chicken
- Spinach
- Oranges
- Broccoli
- Bananas
- Almonds
- Potatoes
- Avocados
- Tomatoes
- Buttermilk
- Watermelon
- Strawberries
TIPS FOR MANAGING MORNING SICKNESS
Fortunately for most women, morning sickness only lasts until the second trimester of pregnancy, and then it starts to subside. Only about one in five women find that their morning sickness lasts into the third trimester.
Although you may not feel like eating, you must try to eat regular meals even if they are small. Here are some tips for managing nausea and vomiting during pregnancy:
- Suck on hard candy.
- Avoid spicy and fatty foods.
- Avoid smells that upset your stomach.
- Acupressure wristbands can sometimes ease nausea.
- Don't take your prenatal vitamin on an empty stomach.
- Get outdoors for some fresh air or open a window and let some in.
- Eat bland foods like rice, bananas, chicken broth, gelatin, or ice pops.
- Take in plenty of fluids: water, weak tea, or clear sodas like ginger ale.
- Some women find relief using essential oils in calming scents like lavender or peppermint.
- Eat saltine crackers, dry toast, or dry cereal before you get out of bed to calm your stomach.
- Herbal ginger supplements can relieve nausea but talk to your doctor before taking any supplements.
WRAPPING UP
If you feel like your vomiting is excessive, you cannot keep even water down, or you are losing weight due to morning sickness, make sure that you contact your doctor. Otherwise, morning sickness is a relatively common occurrence during pregnancy, and it will pass.
In the meantime, try the tips provided here to control nausea and vomiting, stay hydrated by drinking HYDRATE and eating hydrating foods that replace electrolytes. When you are nauseated, it may take some work to keep up with your fluid intake. Just make sure to stay mindful of it throughout the day, especially if you cannot eat a whole lot.
Better days are coming, and before you know it, you'll be bringing your new baby home.