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Questions and Answer

Q. Hello. My fiancé is 3 months pregnant, and very nauseous (sp?) every day, particularly in the evening, so sick that she cant get out of bed. Plus she has stomach aches. She wants to know if she could use a hot water bottle, to hold next to her tummy, for possible comfort. She doesn't want to take medication, but is trying to find other ways to relieve this nauseousness. Any tips you can give on that would be appreciated! Specifically, please address the hot water bottle question. We dont think a heating pad would be safe because of the electric field surrounding it.

By the way, she is rather large, if that makes any difference. This will be her second child, she is 25 years old.

Thanks!
Mark

A. Mark,

First let me congratulate you and your wife on your upcoming baby! Nausea is so common during the first trimester, if that is any comfort at all. Ginger tea might help with that, or 'sea bands' on the wrists. Eating small frequent meals is usually the best remedy, making sure to eat something upon arising, even if its just a cracker or a grape.

There is no problem with using a hot water bottle. It might even feel good on her back as well as on her stomach. Just be careful not to burn the skin. Another wonderful way to provide heat is with a rice sock. Simply fill a large sock with uncooked brown rice and then knot it at the top. You can put it in the microwave for three minutes and then voila! A hot, flexible, soft, soothing heat pack. Add lavender buds to make it smell nice and then re-sue it over and over again.

Childbirth Education

How do you become an educator?

Ilana Stein has been working professionally with pregnant women since 1983 as a childbirth educator, labor assistant and breastfeeding consultant. She was originally certified by the American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth (The Bradley Method), The Association of Labor Assistants and Childbirth Educators (ALACE), and Doulas of North America (DONA). She teachs the ALACE Labor Assistant training workshop nationwide. She has spoken at conferences and at the New York University Graduate Program in Midwifery about labor support. She is a Positive Pregnancy and Parenting Fitness (PPPF) instructor and La Leche League Leader. She is also a certified personal trainer and fitness instructor at the local YMCA. She volunteers as the coordinator of the annual New York Area YM-YWCA Women’s Wellness Weekend.