Morning Sickness Relief: Gentle Options That Work

What Is Morning Sickness (And Why "Morning" Is a Misnomer)

Morning sickness — nausea and vomiting during pregnancy — affects up to 80% of pregnant women, typically peaking between weeks 6 and 12. Despite the name, it can strike at any time of day. For most women it resolves by the second trimester, but for some it persists much longer.

The cause isn't fully understood, but rising hCG and estrogen levels are the primary suspects. The good news: there are gentle, well-studied options that can meaningfully reduce symptoms without medication.

Natural Remedies That Help

1. Ginger — the most studied option Ginger is the most clinically researched natural remedy for pregnancy nausea. Multiple randomized controlled trials have found it significantly reduces nausea and vomiting in the first trimester, with a safety profile considered acceptable during pregnancy. It works by calming the GI tract and modulating nausea signals — without sedation or systemic drug effects.

2. Peppermint Peppermint is particularly useful for nausea that comes with a strong gag reflex or sensitivity to smells (a common pregnancy symptom). The aroma alone has been shown to reduce nausea intensity in clinical settings. Peppermint lozenges can also help with the excess saliva some women experience in early pregnancy.

3. Small, frequent meals An empty stomach dramatically worsens morning sickness. Eating small amounts every 1-2 hours — especially bland, easily digestible foods — keeps blood sugar stable and reduces nausea triggers.

4. Cold foods and drinks Hot foods have stronger aromas, which can trigger nausea during pregnancy. Cold or room-temperature options are often better tolerated.

5. Acupressure (P6 point) Pressing the P6 wrist point has shown benefit in several studies for pregnancy nausea. These are a drug-free option for continuous relief.

6. Vitamin B6 B6 (pyridoxine) is one of the few supplements with clinical evidence for morning sickness and is often recommended by OBs as a first-line option. It's frequently combined with doxylamine in prescription formulations. Be sure to consult with your health care provider though, as there are medical reports of nerve damage from too much Vitamin B6 that results from taking large amounts on a regular basis.

A Note on Safety

Always check with your OB or midwife before starting any supplement during pregnancy — including ginger. Most practitioners consider moderate ginger consumption safe in the first trimester, but individual circumstances vary.

How Tummydrops Can Help

Tummydrops are made with certified organic ginger and real peppermint — no artificial ingredients, no fillers. The slow-dissolve lozenge format is ideal for morning sickness because:

• They're easy to keep on your nightstand and take before getting out of bed (a classic morning sickness tip)
• They don't require water or food to take
• The mild flavors are gentle enough for a sensitive first-trimester stomach
• Certified USDA Organic and made with Infant-Safe Brown Rice Syrup that is processed to remove heavy metals common in many foods.

Recommended starting points:

• Organic Ginger Strawberry Tummydrops, 33 ct — mild ginger, approachable flavor
• Organic Ginger Sweet Pear Tummydrops, 18 ct — light and gentle
• Natural Peppermint Tummydrops, 33 ct — for smell-triggered nausea
• Italian Ginger & Peppermint Pack — covers both bases

Browse the full Ginger collection or Mild Flavors collection.

Tips for Best Results

• Keep a lozenge on your nightstand — take one before you even sit up in the morning.
• Carry them everywhere — morning sickness doesn't follow a schedule.
• Start with milder ginger flavors if your stomach is very sensitive — Strawberry and Sweet Pear are the gentlest entry points.
• Combine strategies — ginger lozenges + small snacks + B6 is a common and effective combination.

The Bottom Line

Morning sickness is one of the most common and least comfortable parts of early pregnancy. Ginger and peppermint are two of the safest, most evidence-backed natural options available — and in lozenge form, they're as convenient as they are effective. Keep them close.