CBD for Mornings sickness,… Morning sickness is one of the most dreaded side effects of pregnancy for many women. For some women morning sickness has unpredictable timing, for others, it is a constant symptom leading many women to seek quick relief. The safety of other mothers and the well-being of the unborn child is the first and foremost concern when looking for options to relieve morning sickness symptoms.
Is CBD a safe option for easing morning sickness and what are the risks associated with using it while pregnant? Find out more in this article.
What is morning sickness?
According to research, between 75 and 80 percent of pregnant women experience morning sickness at some point in time during their pregnancy.
Many studies and research lead medical professionals to believe that morning sickness is the body’s response to an excess amount of the hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin or better known as hCG.
The placenta is formed during the first trimester. During its formation, it produces hCG to help maintain a healthy pregnancy. However, the production of hCG stimulates the ovaries to secrete estrogen. This boost of estrogen production can create feelings of nausea and even cause vomiting.
Morning sickness usually starts around the 6th week of pregnancy. For most women, morning sickness usually ends around the 12th to 15th week of pregnancy. However, for some women morning sickness can last the entirety of their pregnancy.
Morning sickness symptoms
For most women feelings of morning sickness can be described as nausea which may also include other physical symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting.
Every woman can experience morning sickness with different symptoms and different levels of those symptoms. Some women may develop triggers that can induce morning sickness symptoms. Some of the most common triggers include:
- Smells
- Tastes
- Textures
- Spicy or seasoned foods
- Variations in hot and cold
- Physical fatigue
- Emotional stress
Even sounds can trigger morning sickness symptoms. All triggers can be different, unusual, and unique to each woman. Many of these triggers are impossible to avoid in everyday life.
Traditional Morning Sickness Remedies
Unluckily there are no definite remedies for curing morning sickness. Every woman’s body is different, every morning sickness case is different. This is due to different hormone levels, symptoms, and triggers for a pregnant woman. However, there are a variety of lifestyle changes pregnant women can use to dispel certain symptoms.
Learning and avoiding certain scents, textures, and sounds can quickly help pinpoint some triggers that cause morning sickness. Avoiding these triggers can be a huge step in the right direction to eliminate or curb morning sickness symptoms.
Eating high-fat foods and late-night meals
Eating foods that are high in carbohydrates and low in fat can aid in relieving morning sickness symptoms. Higher fat foods can cause heartburn or indigestion. Eating late in the evening can also cause heartburn when you go to bed. So avoid eating high-fat foods and late-night meals to lessen the digestion symptoms of morning sickness.
Get enough rest!
Being pregnant can take its toll on sleeping patterns. Ensuring you get enough rest aids in your energy and stamina throughout the day. Drops in energy can trigger symptoms of morning sickness such as nausea, lightheadedness, headache, and fatigue. So be sure to get a good night’s rest. Use meditation or other relaxation techniques to put your mind at ease before your slumber.
Hydration
Hydration is key during pregnancy to help alleviate morning sickness symptoms. Because some women endure vomiting as a symptom of morning sickness, staying hydrated for mom and baby is especially concerning. Dehydration symptoms include fatigue, headache, queasiness, and vomiting.
The best way to stay hydrated is to drink water or a form of electrolytes throughout the day, not just before or after the morning sickness occurs. Sometimes taking small sips of your preferred drink throughout the day can be very beneficial to staying hydrated.
Anti-nausea medications
Sometimes it is necessary for your doctor to prescribe either over-the-counter or prescription medications. These will not harm the unborn child and can make your bout with morning sickness much easier. Especially in cases where hydration and nutrition are needed immediately.
Ginger
Herbal ginger supplements can help to alleviate morning sickness symptoms for some moms to be. Most research suggests that it can be used safely during pregnancy. Other forms of ginger, such as ginger ale, candied ginger, or gingerbread can also help to soothe symptoms of morning sickness, particularly nausea and vomiting.
Peppermint
Sucking on a peppermint candy or having a small cup of peppermint tea can also be a huge aid in relieving nausea related to morning sickness. Peppermint is one of the most common uses herbs in relieving pregnancy-related symptoms. Research has shown it does not harm the mother or unborn child.
Can CBD oil be beneficial to relieve morning sickness?
There is quite a long list of symptoms that go along with morning sickness. It is very common for pregnant women to be prescribed medications to helo combat this ailment. However, prescription medication can come with its own unwanted list of side effects. Such as drowsiness, anxious thoughts, and causing constipation.
Can CBD be an alternative to aid in relieving morning sickness? Cannabidiol has been considered an antiemetic. Several studies have found that nausea and vomiting can be eliminated through the manipulation of the body endocannabinoid system.
The body endocannabinoid system or ECS is made up of receptors that play a role in regulating a wide range of functions, such as sleep, appetite, memory, mood, and reproduction. The human body hosts 2 main endocannabinoid receptors. CB1 and CB2 receptors.
- CB1 receptors are mainly found in the body’s central nervous system. The central nervous system consists of two parts, the brain, and the spinal cord. These control the body and mind functions.
- CB2 receptors are found mainly in your peripheral nervous system. Its three main functions are to carry motor commands to voluntary muscles, carry information about the external world to the brain, and regulate functions such as blood pressure and sweating.
Research has linked the endocannabinoid system to appetite, digestion, metabolism, inflammation, mood, sleep, stress, reproductive system function, and many other things. Experts believe that the endocannabinoid system helps maintain the body’s homeostasis.
CBD interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system to prevent endocannabinoids from being broken down. This can help relieve or stop feelings of nausea heartburn, vomiting, and other morning sickness symptoms.
Experiencing extreme morning sickness can be stressful for an expecting mother. CBD can aid in relieving morning sickness, but also has the potential to lower anxious feelings and stress levels. This is possibly due to the cannabidiol or CBD blocking or preventing the overstimulation of certain nerves or receptors throughout the body’s endocannabinoid system.
CBD and stress
CBD oil is a great natural way to reduce stress levels during pregnancy. A research stud in 2014 found that CBD oil dosed appropriately had an anti-depressant-like effect. Aiding in relieving anxious thoughts can also aid in relieving nausea during morning sickness.
CBD for sleep
CBD can also aid in getting a restful night’s sleep. Pregnancy can lead to sleepless nights and not being able to get comfortable while laying down. CBD can help alleviate those discomforts, help you fall asleep faster, and get a more sound, restful sleep.
Safety for CBD use during pregnancy
While CBD is considered a safe and effective remedy for many ailments, it remains a personal choice for those who are pregnant. Many physicians and gynecologists will advise against the use of CBD during pregnancy. This is due to there not being enough information from studies and research that can acknowledge any dangers. It is always best to discuss adding CBD to your daily regimen with your doctor.
Can doctors prescribe CBD?
Doctors can not legally prescribe CBD. They can only recommend it. This is due to CBD not being an FDA-approved product or medication. With other medications, there are findings and proof through studies and research that show their effectiveness, side effects, and long-term usage effects, however, concerning CBD there is not enough research for a doctor to prescribe CBD. Physicians should always be open to discussing the use of CBD oil benefits and risks with the patient to help them make an informed decision. This goes for normal patients and pregnant women.
New moms experience with CBD during pregnancy
Many women have reported using CBD oil helped them relieve a wide range of symptoms including morning sickness, food aversions, stress, anxious thoughts and feelings, sleeplessness, and other aches and discomforts that accompany women during pregnancy. Many pregnant women and new moms are quick to recommend CBD, but again always discuss the use of CBD with your physician.
Always buy CBD from a reputable company
Currently, the FDA does not regulate CBD products, so it is up to the buyer to do research and choose a premium quality product. To ensure the product is of high quality, check to see if it has a certificate of analysis or COA. The COA will give you the exact information as to what ingredients are in the CBD and how much of each ingredient is in the product.
CBD companies and stores that offer third-party testing results, offer unbiased and neutral information about each of their products. Third-party testing facilities analyze the CBD product using high-tech equipment such as liquid chromatography to see exactly what is in the product. Third-party test results also report the presence of different cannabinoids, terpenes, and also each one’s potency level.
This information can help the consumer decide which product is right for them and offers peace of mind that the product is reputable and of high quality.
Final thoughts on CBD and Morning sickness
While most often pregnancy is a happy process, pregnancy can also create a lot of physical and emotional stress for an expecting mother. Unfortunately, morning sickness is just one example of this, plus all of the other symptoms that go along with it.
In theory, CBD could be used as an antiemetic to prevent or subdue morning sickness symptoms, specifically nausea. However, there are simply not enough long-term research data found to determine accurate benefits and risks. Understandably medical professionals are taking a strict stance on CBD, especially with an unborn life involved. There is no research to show how CBD could or would affect the physical wellness of an unborn child. With this standing, the wellness of the unborn child should come first.
If you remain curious about using CBD while pregnant, it’s essential to consult with your physician or doctor first. Their professional opinion on CBD during pregnancy is an important standpoint on the subject.
“These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.”
