This pregnancy (my fifth) has been my absolute easiest by far! My pregnancies had been getting easier as I’ve learned more about health and real food, but this one held a surprising difference! So much so, in fact, that I was really glad to hear a heart beat to make sure I was indeed pregnant.
To help understand what a change this had been for me, I should explain: I never had morning sickness to the level that several of my friends have had. I never came close to being hospitalized, though I didn’t usually eat much the first few months.
With my first especially, the smell of food would sometimes leave me running for the nearest bathroom or bushes. The worst part, for me, was the fatigue. Especially after the first one, I didn’t have time to be tired, but the first few months, I’d play with my kids or read to them while laying on their bedroom floor, and I’d fall asleep any chance I got.
This time, I was a little more tired but didn’t notice it at all if I got to bed by 10 p.m. There were mornings that I didn’t feel like eating right away, but I wasn’t repulsed by food. One time, I chugged a huge glass of water and took Fermented Cod Liver Oil on an empty stomach and had a little nausea for about 10 minutes, but that was pretty much the extent of it. (For the record I don’t recommend that…)
What Changed?
How to Avoid Pregnancy Induced Morning Sickness
Being the health nut that I am, I have food and supplement journals from at least parts of all of my pregnancies. I’d also been working on improving certain nutrient levels over the last year, so I knew what things I had specifically been focusing on that could have made a difference.
The things that had changed since my last pregnancy with respect to diet/supplements:
- Started actually remembering to take fermented cod liver oil daily
- Daily magnesium intake as I worked to intensively boost magnesium levels (this post explains what I used)
- Added daily bone broth while son is on GAPS program
- Upped protein intake BEFORE I got pregnant this time (not intentionally, but we bought part of a cow and my daily protein intake increased)
- Was eating very little/no processed foods, sugars, etc (didn’t change, but notable)
Looking back, I’d rank the factors that changed in this order of importance:
- Using Magnesium Oil on my skin!
- Taking 1-2 teaspoons per day of Fermented Cod Liver Oil
- Drinking Bone broth daily
- Eating protein/avoiding processed foods
Why Magnesium?
I started researching to see if there was any actual evidence backing my theory that magnesium made the difference. I found some articles by naturally minded doctors and midwives that seemed to support the idea (or at least promote it as not harmful) and this post from Mommypotamus that talked about her experience with Magnesium. (I always love finding other actual pregnant women who had the same experience!)
I’ve also been randomly asking pregnant friends about their intake of magnesium containing foods and there does seem to be a correlation. (Asking friends how much seaweed and unrefined sea salt they consume daily is totally normal, right?) In fact, one person I know was doing the same protocol I was and had virtually no morning sickness either!
What Kind of Magnesium?
Here is what I did (from a previous post):
The best way to supplement with magnesium, in my opinion, is by using it on the skin. This is not only the safest way, since the body will only use what is needed, but the most effective.
Unlike internal doses of magnesium, topical magnesium does not have to pass through the digestive system and kidneys and can more quickly enter the blood and tissues of the body.
I have experimented with a variety of magnesium supplements over the years and now stick exclusively to topical magnesium spray because I found it to be the most effective (and cost effective!).
In fact, I was suffering from low Vitamin D for years despite spending regular time in the sun and taking supplemental D3 at the suggestion of my doctor. Magnesium is needed for proper Vitamin D absorption and it wasn’t until I increased my use of magnesium on my skin that my Vitamin D levels finally went up. (This is the one I used)
If you’d like to learn more about the importance of magnesium and its various actions in the body, I’d suggest the book The Magnesium Miracle by Carolyn Dean.
Since digestion changes during pregnancy, it can be difficult to absorb magnesium correctly, especially once you are pregnant. I found the magnesium oil seemed to be the easiest for me to absorb, and even before pregnancy, I noticed the biggest difference in my regularity (ahem) from the skin oil.
Magnesium is also an important mineral during pregnancy, so even if you are already pregnant, it would be worth a try to lessen morning sickness.
Why Fermented Cod Liver Oil?
Fermented Cod Liver Oil is a great source of Vitamins D & A and Omega-3s. Vitamin D is essential for proper absorption and use of magnesium in the body, so this likely also helped the magnesium be more effective. Many women find they do better from consuming enough healthy fats and proteins in early pregnancy (magnesium aside) and Fermented Cod Liver Oil is a great source of healthy fats.
The Weston A. Price Foundation recommends Fermented Cod Liver Oil as a superfood during pregnancy for proper development of baby’s brain, bone structure, and more. At the least, I think the Fermented Cod Liver Oil was good for the baby, but I suspect that it also contributed to my lack of morning sickness.
Protein + Fats
I think the other factor that made a difference was that in very early pregnancy (before I found out and before morning sickness would have hit anyway) I was already eating a lot of healthy fats and proteins daily. My intake was already up and supportive of the pregnancy and healthy blood sugar levels before they started becoming a problem. My daily protein intake these days typically includes:
- 3-4 eggs
- Some form of healthy meat at every meal
- 2 cups (average) of homemade bone broth daily
- 2-4 Tablespoons of Coconut Oil
- 2+ tablespoons grass fed butter
- Coconut based snacks like coconut cream
- Various other forms of protein and fat like tallow used in cooking, bison for snack, etc.
I also try to consume 3-4 cups+ of vegetables each day, usually in soups or with meats. I’ve found that I usually prefer cooked vegetables in early pregnancy anyway so steamed veggies with butter are on the daily menu.
Not only do I feel better this time, but I’m confident that I’m giving my baby a good start too. (I’m also taking probiotics and optimizing gut bacteria to give baby the best start after birth, but more info in another post on that soon…)
This is certainly my own experience, and nothing scientific, but the difference has been dramatic for me, and I’d love to hear if any of you have experience with this as well or if it works for you in the future!
What do you think? Does it sound crazy? Would you try it? Have you tried it? Weigh in below!
Congrats! I don’t remember you mentioning you were pregnant but I suspected it. 🙂
I don’t know. I was paleo (plenty of protein) for over a year and was also taking magnesium, FCLO, drank bone broth, and avoiding sugar for that time before my current pregnancy even began. I was still so sick my first trimester and would’ve had to take medication if I hadn’t discovered how effective acupuncture is at relieving nausea/vomiting during pregnancy. I’m now at 19 weeks and able to eat like this again. Based on my experience, I tend think it’s all about hormones!
Yeh I agree, my 1st pregnancy terrible morning sickness but my 4th pregnancy barely noticeable now I’ve had a 10 year gap and I’m pregnant again and so sick I had to go to hospital for a drip and ondansetron- I love natural options so much more but nothing was working.
where do you find grass fed butter?
thank you, always love your posts!
From a local farmer here when I can, but I stock up on Kolona through a local co-op or get Kerrygold from our grocery store when the cows aren’t producing during the winter here.
I had a similar experience. My first daughter I was so morning sick that I had to have medication which I really My did not want (I even had to do it via a suppository b/c I couldn’t swallow it!). My second was better but still had to have the medication (this time orally). By my third I was able to skip the meds but was still pretty sick. My fourth (just 2 months old) was my easiest by far! We had started Gaps right before I got pregnant and I think it mad a huge difference! She was also my heaviest baby and is now my easiest (least fussy) so far. I think the broth, fclo, no sugar, nothing artificial, etc. really helps! I just was introduced to the magnesium so that didn’t play a factor but I hope it will for the fifth!
On a side note, I think that part of why we needed Gaps in the first place had to do with the morning sickness. I was so sick with my first that all I could get down was fruit for over two months. I did some protein IVs but it was not ideal nutrition. She eventually had severe tooth decay and we went on Weston Price’s diet and eventually Gaps to heal her up. She had a tooth abcess the week before we started Gaps and has not had anything since! Praise God for the wonderful food He gave us!
Oh, and I also read about morning sickness and bile and how beans and lentils can help it. I totally think that helped too!
I wanna know more about that! I heard about beans and lentils being good via an online naturopath but she wanted to get paid a fortune to cough up the info which seemed suss to me. Anyone who has had hyperemesis would want to get the info out if something would help! 😀
This is what I’ve found on the subject of eating beans/legumes to avoid morning sickness, just today actually.
I have been so ill (unable to keep even broth down) and had to have some medication to avoid the hospital. All of a sudden I had an intense craving for beans! I thought I might as well try, whats the worst that could happen, more vomiting? Almost instantly I felt better! This site I found explained what was going on and “how to” fix it!
Thank you so much for the info! I’m currently 4 weeks pregnant with my 5th baby. I’m determined to stay out of the hospital this time. The timing of this was perfect!
i haven’t added the additional supplements but have noticed a dramatic difference this pregnancy (11th pregnancy). i’ve attributed it to my clean eating. my weight was higher going into pregnancy but my overall health and well being was at an all time high.
i thank you for all your sharing. this site has played a very important role in my journey to restore my health.
I’m currently having terrible morning sickness and can’t wait to try some of these tips! I wish I had the money to do a total overhaul right now.
I’m absolutely curious to see what others have to say. Additionally, what’s the connection between Vitamin D and magnesium? I craved sour cream, cheese, milk, etc like none other while pregnant. Turns out I was low on both magnesium and calcium. I was extremely fatigued as well, and want to change that next time around. I think I’m going to look into your magnesium spray! Thanks!
Magnesium is needed to convert vitamin D from its storage form into its usable, active, form. So if you’re taking lots of vitamin D your magnesium stores can deplete if you’re not taking magnesium.
Man, I wish I knew all this eleven months ago. I lost upwards of fifteen pounds in my first trimester because of my nausea. I was already pretty skinny before I got pregnant. Bookmarking in case we want another.
Congratulations….I have two children. One boy. One Girl. Boy was first before I was a health nut. So I was eating a mainstream, crappy diet. I didn’t have morning sickness at all and felt great! I was 29.
My second, girl, was after I started eating really good with lots of green smoothies. Lots of morning sickness, felt so crappy. I exhausted my sick bank at work DURING the pregnancy!!! So I’ve always thought Boys = feeling great. Girls = morning sickness. But that’s just me! 🙂
Can’t wait to follow your journey and anything you share!
Same thing as me! I switched to Paleo 6 months ago and recently found out I was pregnant. The nausea and fatigue have been so bad! I’m thinking this must be a girl. I’ve been doing everything listed and still feel bad.
I am in my first trimester and was doing really well, suffering from minor stomach issues up until two weeks ago when the nausea hit me suddenly, like a train. I’m already very sensitive to nausea and motion sickness, so I was barely able to function when it hit me.
I just started a new job and had increased stress and anxiety about vomiting at work in front of strangers (who don’t know I’m pregnant). I have been following your blog for some time now but had dismissed the posts about magnesium; WHY I dismissed them, I cannot explain. Willing to try anything, I went to my local co-op and found magnesium oil and skeptically followed the directions the first night after my shower.
My relief from nausea went away the next morning and hasn’t returned since I’ve been using it regularly.
I am BEYOND thankful for discovering this suggestion and cannot thank you enough for sharing. I am eating better, sleeping better, and have no nausea or vomiting. I’m feeling a renewed hope that I can survive this after all! Thank you!
Should you find yourself in a situation where your magnesium oil is not present and available to you – consider putting the Nevasic app on your phone. All you need to have to make that work is your headphones – keep those with you and you have the benefit from Nevasic at hand. I know it works for travel sickness too.