Natural Remedies for the Most Common Pregnancy Symptoms

Pregnancy symptoms such as nausea, headache, hemorrhoid, constipation, and heartburn are common - and can put you at a disadvantage in your ability to have a baby. Fortunately, there are safe and environmentally friendly solutions that can help. Try a few; you might find another one that works for you.

Morning sickness

About three in four pregnancies experience nausea and vomiting during pregnancy (a.k.a., morning sickness), so if you suffer from it, you are not alone. The good news is that, for the majority of women, symptoms tend to be more severe at the beginning of the second trimester. In the meantime, a few natural remedies have been shown to help - try a few until you find what works for you:

• Eat wisely.

 When to eat and when to eat. So in addition to avoiding large meals and snacks, opt for junk food, which is easy to digest; pair of protein- and nutrient-rich options (such as a glass of warm milk, a stick of cheese, or a cup of yogurt) with carbohydrates (like crackers or beans). Also try to avoid spicy, high-fat or salty foods.

• Drink up.

 Keep hydrated by drinking between meals rather than while eating to help prevent your stomach from becoming too full.

• Suck sour candy or peppermint

can help reduce the symptoms of nausea.

• Stir in ginger.

  Ginger contains anti-inflammatory substances that can help eliminate stomach acids. The American College of Obstetrician and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that groomed moms try out ginger ale made with real ginger, ginger tea made with fresh ginger cheese, ginger coconuts and ginger sweets for relief. You can also add fresh ginger to your diet, soups and salad dressings; eat light ginger; or cool the ginger's fresh shock into the hot water of the gut remedy.

• Consider vitamin B6.

 It's already in your pregnancy vitamin (an additional reason to produce it), but ask your doctor about taking an extra supplement or switching to prenatal for one in high doses, because B6 has also been shown to reduce prenatal nausea (usually a combination) with antihistamine doxylamine).

• Try Sea-Bands or Psi wristbands.

 Some mothers swear by those; they are available at many drugstores and work on acupressure points to reduce nausea.

• See a prenatal acupuncturist.

 Acupuncture has been shown to lift your mood, cut your head and back pain, and give you energy. Just make sure you see a doctor who is trained to treat expectant women because certain pressure points (especially on the feet) can cause cervical discomfort and even work.

• Give aromatherapy.

The taste is influenced by the aroma, so you may find that a safe pregnancy scent such as mint, lemon, and ginger - which has been shown to reduce symptoms during eating - may also work when ingested.

• Clear your mind.

 Reduce thinking about doing relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or parenting yoga.

If none of these remedies work, do not hesitate to speak to your doctor - there are safe medications that they can recommend to help ease your symptoms. In extreme cases, he or she may admit to the hospital that he or she is treated for intravenous wounds.