[KristaleeJane]

Hello
Just wondering if I can get some input on what people have been using for acne while pregnant, I am only 7 weeks, and I am starting to break out all along my hairline, and my chest. i have always struggled with my skin, finally had it under control but not now since being pregnant. I am not sure whats safe to use now that I am preggers. I use Tea Tree and Neostrata currently.
Also I am having the all day sickness, from the moment I wake up to the minute I go to bed, I am not gaining any weight, losing actually. I don't want to take medication but I am starting to get really depressed because I am so sick.
Any natural recommendations that anyone has found results with? I sure would love to be able to chow down on some high starchy foods right now, that's all I am craving. This sucks!!
I know the end result is worth it but I hope it only lasts for the first trimester.....
Open to any advise
Thanks
Krista

[lizard00]

I just had my second 4 weeks ago. My doctor put me on BenzaClin for my face. It's a prescription, but I've struggled with my skin pretty much since I was 9... and it is the ONLY thing that's ever worked. And it was safe to use during pregnancy.

As for the feeling sick, I'm afraid I probably can't offer much help there. I ate apples w/ peanut butter for breakfast, after I'd been up for an hour or so. Everyone says to eat a cracker or something before you get out of bed, but I couldn't stand crackers for most of my pregnancy, AND if I ate anything that soon after waking I would feel sick for hours. You have to find what works for you, no two pregnancies are the same.

[tarnalberry]

from about week 4 to week 8, I was pretty much constantly nauseated. not "oh god, I'm going to throw up right now", but "ugh, I don't want to move, the idea of food is revolting". losing weight in your first trimester, while not advisable, is NOT a crisis. it's fairly common, specifically due to the food thing.

unfortunately, loading up on carbs isn't going to help - your body needs a lot of protein and iron as it starts building up your blood volume to be 150% of what you started with by month 5 (if I recall correctly), not to mention what the fetus needs. it sucks, but find a way to get protein - about 90g a day since you're pregnant, or as much as you can if it's less than that - in each and every meal. I still find (at 9.5weeks) that meat is not particularly appetizing, and preparing it is worse. I don't *want* to eat it, but I know I have to. so I add hemp seeds (protein source) to my cereal, make smoothies with plenty of protein powder (rice or hemp), cook chicken and rice so I can "hide" the chicken in the rice, or add frozen shrimp to soup I'm heating up just to get protein in it.

what's helped the most over the past two weeks to diminish the horrid sense of feeling sick all day long is to eat OFTEN. (literally, if it's been two hours, I go find *something* balanced to eat. it leads to strange snacks, but it's better than feeling crappy.) and to make sure to drink plenty of water - at least a small part of my nausea comes from being (very mildly) dehydrated.

you may also find that taking extra B-6, and magnesium, can help. but really, find a way to eat something (nuts are good!) every two or three hours, and drink more often than that. yes, you're making yourself eat. yes, it's annoying. yes, it's sometimes a little *urp* inducing. but it is more likely to help than anything else.

[elle's mom]

Hi Krista, I am sorry to hear what you are going through as I have experienced it four times, the same every time. I used to think "maybe this time will be different", but it never was. Anyway, a few posters have already mentioned both of my "remedies", although, I hate to say it but time was the only cure for me, mine went away gradually between 14-18 weeks (it sounds like forever to wait I know! SORRY). The B6 did help some, stay on top of it though or you will think it's not working. Also, the eating OFTEN; every couple hours too seemed to make it a little better too. I actually felt that I was in enough misery to ASK for medication and my doctor would not give it to me as I was keeping myself hydrated well despite vomitting several times per day. He has a very "natural" approach, which looking back on I appreciate, but at the time I could've strangled him. I would recommend just trying to sleep a lot too since you don't have other kids to take care of yet. I also used the BenzaClin which worked well even after the pregnancies were over. The end result IS a blessing though so hang in there!