Morning Sickness Remedies You Might Not Know About

Lately I’ve had quite a few chats with mums who battled through horrible morning sickness, just gritting their teeth and thinking there wasn’t much they could do about it. Honestly, my heart goes out to you if that's been your experience — because the truth is, there are some things you can try that might make a real difference.
And no, it’s not just nibbling dry crackers and hoping for the best!

If you’re growing a little human and feeling absolutely wretched, here are some remedies — some well-known, some more under-the-radar — that many New Zealand mums swear by.

1. Ginger Everything

This old classic really does have some backing behind it. Ginger can help settle your stomach — but it’s not just about ginger tea (though that’s lovely too).
You could try:

• Crystallised ginger pieces to nibble on

• Ginger ale (the good stuff, like Bundaberg — just watch for added sugars)

• Ginger lozenges
  A few mums I spoke to even kept ginger capsules on hand when they were on the go.

2. Vitamin B6

This one surprised me the first time I heard about it — but many midwives and GPs recommend a B6 supplement to help ease nausea.
You can pick it up over the counter at most pharmacies in NZ, but always double-check with your midwife or doctor first about the right dose for you.

3. Acupressure Bands

You might have seen these “sea sickness bands” around — they look a bit like sweatbands with a button that presses into your wrist. Turns out they can also help with morning sickness!
You can usually find them at chemists like Life Pharmacy, or even online from Kiwi stores.

4. Eating Before You Even Get Up

Sounds ridiculous by I swear by this trick, its worked in all three of my pregnancies! A bit of a mission, but worth a try. Keep a snack, it was ginger nuts for me but it could be like dry crackers, nuts, or a banana right beside your bed. Having a little nibble before you even sit up can sometimes help curb the worst of that early morning nausea.

5. Stay Hydrated (But Sip, Don’t Guzzle)

When you’re feeling green, gulping down big glasses of water can actually make it worse. Try small sips throughout the day instead.
Some mums swear by ice chips, homemade electrolyte drinks, or even sucking on ice blocks (Go the Fruju!).

6. Small, Frequent Meals

It sounds backwards when you’re nauseous, but an empty stomach often makes the sickness worse. Try eating a little something every couple of hours, even if it’s just a piece of toast or a handful of almonds.
High-protein snacks seem to help a lot of people too — things like hard-boiled eggs, yoghurt, or cheese and crackers.

7. Lemon Everything

The smell of fresh lemon (or even sucking on a lemon slice) can be magic for some women.
You could keep a little bottle of lemon essential oil in your bag, or make yourself homemade lemon and honey tea — a real Kiwi classic.

A Final Word

Morning sickness is brutal enough without feeling like you have to just put up with it. If your nausea is really severe — if you can't keep anything down, or you're losing weight — please, don’t hesitate to reach out to your midwife or GP. There’s help available, even prescription options if you need them.

You deserve to feel as well as you possibly can while you're doing the hard work of growing a tiny human.
If you’ve got any tried-and-true remedies you loved, feel free to drop them in the comments — I’d love to hear!

Hang in there, mama. You’re doing an incredible job. 💛

I know that right now, it’s hard to imagine the finish line — but when that moment comes, when you finally hold your baby for the first time, it will be one of the most powerful, life-changing moments of your life.

Birth photography is about honouring that moment. Quietly, respectfully, capturing the raw beauty, the strength, the tears, the love — so you can remember not just how it looked, but how it felt.
If you’d like to see what that can look like, you’re warmly invited to take a peek [here].