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!
Interesting post, but this has not been my experience. I was doing all of the above with the exception of bone broth and I was taking about 1/2 tsp of FCLO/BO daily. And my morning sickness has been worse than with the other two kiddos (a boy and a girl). I had been off sugar for over a year when I got pregnant. Bad morning (and afternoon and evening) sickness and crazy carb cravings and protein aversions. I haven’t been able to consistently keep up with the FCLO/BO since about 6 weeks.
I do hope this works for some though.
Another great post, very informative.
I just found out I’m pregnant with my second child, and I’m excited to try some of these tips this go-round. One question, were you also taking prenatal vitamins with this regimen? I am taking daily prenatal vitamins and am curious if taking fermented cod liver oil additionally would result in vitamin A toxicity. Thanks for all the tips–my magnesium flakes are coming in the mail tomorrow!!
Okay, so I just saw you responded to someone else’s post about this…doh! Still curious about the prenatal vitamins…
I don’t personally take a prenatal unless I have a need to, as they contain synthetic forms of Vitamin A. I eat a super nutrient dense diet and take the FCLO and magnesium instead.
Do you drink raw milk? Or any dairy while pregnant? We drink raw, but as I am newly pregnant my husband is paranoid about the warning label. Any ideas to ease his concern? I KNOW it is better than the hormone filled store bought but I can’t seem to ease his concern. Advice?
Just have lots of probiotics on hand. There has never been a case of anyone actually getting sick from properly cared for raw milk, but if you should happen to, just take mega doses of probiotics and you should be fine.
This is ill-informed. The most advanced, thorough, well-cared for raw dairy that I know of in Pennsylvania was the source of a major campylobacter outbreak – and that can be fatal. It wasn’t due to negligence, but equipment fails sometimes without a good owner knowing about it, and it ended in illness for many of their clients, which they acknowledged had come from their milk.
Can you give a more detailed account of your daily food intake – like a sample day of food?
It varies a lot, but usually something like this:
Breakfast: 3-4 eggs with vegetables, meat, etc scrambled in grassfed butter or made into an omelet (take FCLO, magnesium, etc). Also a cup of hot tea with coconut oil and butter blended in Lunch: Bowl of homemade soup, salad with protein and homemade dressing, sometimes a piece of fruit or an apple baked in coconut oil. Dinner: Varies a lot but either soups/stews, stir frys, or meat and vegetables. Dessert is a few spoonfulls of coconut butter or fruit with organic cream. I also eat whenever I am hungry while I’m pregnant, so I eat high protein/fat snacks and veggies throughout the day if I get hungry.
I have been taking Omega 3 supplements and I would love to try the Code liver Oil as you suggest in many of your post. (I am basically following everything you post) However, is it really safe while pregnancy? This is what made me a bit worried…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cod_liver_oil
“Pregnant women may want to consider consulting a doctor when taking cod liver oil because of the high amount of natural forms of vitamin A such as retinol. High doses of synthetic vitamin A (retinoids) have been shown to cause birth defects.[16]”
I don’t worry about this at all with the fermented ones. The Vitamin D balances out the Vitamin A, and all of the studies done on Vitamin A in pregnancy use isolated versions and usually synthetic ones. Natural Vitamin A when taken from a food source (which FCLO is) has never been shown to cause birth defects…
It’s synthetic A you should worry about while pregnant, according to my OB.
So you believe in that company again?
I am confused, how about rancidity and trans fat levels……
I’m right there with you! I’m 6 weeks into my 4th pregnancy, and this is my first truly healthy one. I got a little better with each one before, but was eating the conventionally minded healthy ways — lots and lots of whole grains, packaged health foods, canned foods. Now for 3 years I’ve eaten the Nourishing Traditions way, and several months ago started rubbing magnesium on my skin daily to help my dry skin, tiredness and sleep. I had no idea it would cure my morning sickness now, but it sure did the trick!!! The CLO and raw milk and bone broths are certainly helping, too. I love this!
The thing that makes me cringe is how my previous dr. and midwives all said that diet makes no difference beforehand or in the 1st trimester, and the baby isn’t affected if all I eat is saltines and plain pasta for 3 months. I now have a baby that is getting nourished from the start! And they always said there was nothing much to do for any pregnancy complaints, I just had to suffer it. I love being armed with cures that make life easier!
Love it! And I agree.. it is sad that women aren’t told the connection between diet and their health (and baby’s health).
Sorry – paleo lifestyle, to go widespread will require a reduction in population… sorry – 5 kids?
Raymoure – I think we’re supposed to be commenting on how diet affects
morning sickness – not on how many children a mom should give birth to.
It’s none of anyone’s business how many children a couple decides to
have. The entire world population could fit into the state of Texas with 200 sq. ft. per person. And there is plenty of food on the planet to feed everyone if we live smart and responsibly.
Love your comment! (Amy)
I’m sorry that my choice to have children somehow offends you, especially since I don’t even know you, but this post was just meant to share something I found helpful in hope that it would help other moms (whether they were having their first child or their 15th). I’ve never said it was my mission to take the Paleo lifestyle worldwide, even though I think it is sustainable without a population reduction, but rather to help those who are already seeking this lifestyle.
Although the original comment is off-topic, I feel obliged to point out that there is compelling evidence, recognized by scholars at major universities, that we are actually headed for a ‘demographic winter’ – not overpopulation. See the following documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZeyYIsGdAA
I can’t wait to try this!!!!
How much FCLO do you take everyday?
Two teaspoons
Would you mind telling me which version/flavor you take of Cod Liver Oil? I’m curious which is the least bad. lol.