Pregnant women have to be especially careful about what they eat and drink. There are so many things to remember regarding what is restricted when pregnant that it can be quite overwhelming.
Ginger is something that comes in many forms and has been long known to help soothe upset stomach and other issues of the gastrointestinal tract. It’s also delicious.
But is it okay to ingest ginger while pregnant?
This article will discuss ginger supplements, ginger root, ginger tea, fresh ginger, and even dried ginger root concerning pregnancy.
We’ll discuss the possible health benefits of ginger, as well as any risks of taking ginger while you’re expecting, as well.
Ginger
Ginger root has been used for medicinal purposes in Asia, where ginger originates, for over 2,500 years.
As time progresses, we discover through better science and research that certain practices from thousands of years ago aren’t great. Ginger root is an exemption.
Ginger is so effective at addressing issues like upset stomach, headaches, cold symptoms, congestion, nausea, and vomiting that it is still being used in many products – ingested as fresh ginger and or included in a supplement or vitamin.
The plant is known as a tuber, meaning it grows below the soil and is harvested or dug up to be consumed.
Ginger while pregnant
When you’re not feeling well or have nausea and vomiting due to the flu, motion sickness, or even a common cold, it’s common practice to drink some ginger ale or ginger tea to help settle your stomach.
Because of this thought process, many pregnant women who deal with morning sickness in the first-trimester wonder if taking ginger can help them.
Ginger for morning sickness
Consuming ginger to combat morning sickness is believed by most experts and doctors to be perfectly safe. Fresh ginger, ginger tea, and other forms beyond supplements are fine as long as they are taken in moderation.
Consuming ginger can help do away with morning sickness in much the same way that drinking ginger tea can help calm your stomach when you’re feeling ill outside of pregnancy.
First trimester only
If you deal with nausea and vomiting in the form of morning sickness in the first trimester, then you can drink ginger tea (either packaged ginger tea or homemade ginger tea) to help you feel better.
Can you have ginger while pregnant in the second and third trimesters?
Ginger during pregnancy is okay to consume, but it’s only recommended for the first trimester.
Your chances of premature labor and birth as you reach each subsequent trimester increase when eating ginger, and it’s a risk that many healthcare providers and doctors don’t suggest taking.
This is a Western medicine idea, and ginger consumption has not been thoroughly tested in clinical studies to support this theory fully.
Traditional Chinese Medicine
The Chinese say it’s okay to eat or consume ginger in any form at any stage of pregnancy. They have been practicing the consumption of ginger plants for thousands of years and trust it completely.
Many pregnant women of Asian descent and culture choose to eat ginger during pregnancy. While there are conflicting thoughts and ideas on drinking ginger tea and eating raw ginger or dried ginger during pregnancy after the first trimester, it’s best to consult your gynecologist or healthcare provider.
Is ginger good for pregnancy?
Suppose you’re still unsure about ginger during pregnancy. In that case, you may want to consider weighing the health benefits of ginger against the risks associated with consuming it for pregnant women.
Remember that no two women are the same; not all doctors agree.
Always have a great line of communication and a trusting relationship with your doctor during your pregnancy. You are always your health advocate, and it’s your responsibility to make the decisions you feel are best for you and your baby.
The health benefits of ginger
We’ve already covered that pregnant women can relieve morning sickness with ginger tea or dried ginger root in the first three months of pregnancy without any adverse effects.
While pregnant women commonly experience morning sickness, ginger tea, and other ginger products can help with more than just nausea and vomiting due to the plant compounds in raw ginger.
1. Less pain during labor
Pregnant women don’t just worry about morning sickness. Most of them are quite aware that at some point, the pregnancy will end, and labor will occur.
If pregnancy-induced nausea and vomiting plague you during the first few months of your pregnancy, ginger tea, grated ginger root, minced ginger, and more can help relieve your digestive system.
However, once you get to the end of your pregnancy and labor starts, ginger tea can be helpful again.
Uterine contractions can be calmed somewhat with ginger tea, ginger powder, ground ginger, and other ginger products.
2. Regulate blood sugar levels
Blood sugar is an issue for many women, especially those with gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes carries with it lots of risks.
High birth weight babies, premature birth, congenital disabilities, and more are all associated with gestational diabetes.
Blood sugar can substantially be lowered when taking high doses of ginger capsules or ginger chews.
Not all doctors agree with this theory, so you must speak to your physician to make sure it’s the right call for you.
3. Increases blood circulation
Blood volume increases a lot when you’re pregnant. This means that pregnant women need good blood circulation so that their unborn babies get all the necessary nutrients.
Due to the plant compounds found in ginger, blood circulation is boosted when you use ginger during early pregnancy.
4. Anti-inflammatory
Swelling is something that many pregnant women deal with. Fortunately, ginger use can help you to get rid of those issues.
Ginger helps with swelling because it’s a natural anti-inflammatory.
Risks of taking ginger
Unfortunately, it’s not all sunshine and rainbow regarding herbal remedies such as ginger. There are a few exceptions to the overall benefits of ginger.
Sure, they help with nausea symptoms, it can relieve pain, and soothe the digestive system, but nothing is perfect.
Before deciding how much ginger you want to include in your pregnancy diet, you need to know the following.
1. Vaginal bleeding
If you have experienced any vaginal bleeding during your pregnancy or are considered a high-risk pregnancy, you should steer clear of ginger tea and its by-products.
Herbal medicines such as ginger can worsen bleeding and have been linked to miscarriage in women who experience bleeding during pregnancy.
Heavy menstrual bleeding can also be made worse using this traditional remedy.
2. Blood clots
If you have clotting disorders, evidence suggests avoiding ginger and sticking with your prenatal vitamin rather than using any dietary or herbal supplements.
Herbal supplement
Your prenatal vitamin acts as a dietary supplement, so some women have pondered whether it’s safe to take dietary supplements or even divided doses of pills containing ginger to reap the benefits of the herb.
Although ginger helps in many forms, many doctors warn patients, especially pregnant ones, against supplementation in pill form.
They say you should avoid ginger pills, not because of any issues with ginger itself. Still, the FDA does not regulate dietary supplements, so dosages are not always accurate. These supplements cannot always be trusted to be safe during pregnancy.
Instead, boiling water and a ginger tea bag is all you need. You make this tea just like any other type of herbal tea, with hot water and the tea bag, and it’s a tasty way to boost your immune system and provide all sorts of other benefits.
Ginger and pregnancy
Suppose you are pregnant and in the first trimester, you may find that your immune system is improved. In that case, you can reduce nausea and vomiting, help with swelling and osteoarthritis pain, and lower blood pressure, all while lowering cholesterol levels and improving blood circulation with ginger.
However, you should avoid ginger if you have clotting disorders, are prone to dizziness, are in the second or third trimesters of pregnancy, or have bleeding issues, as ginger tea and other ginger forms can worsen it.
Be sure to take your prenatal vitamins regularly, and don’t substitute ginger dietary supplements for your prenatal vitamin.