Nausea during pregnancy explained through yogic and ayurvedic perspective - Understanding & Overcoming Morning Sickness Naturally
Pregnancy is a sacred journey of transformation, but for many women, the first trimester brings morning sickness, nausea, and digestive discomfort. If you're struggling with queasiness and food aversions, Ayurveda and yoga offer powerful natural solutions to balance your body and mind.
In this guide, we’ll explore:
✅ Why pregnancy nausea happens (from an Ayurvedic & yogic lens)
✅ Which doshas & vayus are involved in morning sickness
✅ Ayurvedic remedies to ease nausea naturally
✅ Yoga & pranayama practices to feel better instantly
Let’s dive in!
Why Does Pregnancy Nausea Happen? (Ayurvedic Perspective)
According to Ayurveda, pregnancy nausea is caused by imbalances in Udana Vayu (upward-moving energy), Vata dosha, and Pitta dosha.
1. Udana Vayu Imbalance (Upward Flow of Energy)
Udana Vayu governs the upward movement of energy in the body, affecting speech, digestion, and emotions. During pregnancy:
✅ Hormonal shifts disrupt Udana’s natural flow
✅ Energy rises instead of grounding downward
✅ Leads to nausea, vomiting, and emotional ups & downs
2. Vata Dosha Aggravation (Digestive Irregularity)
Pregnancy is a Kapha-dominant phase, but Vata (air element) often gets imbalanced, leading to:
❌ Weak digestion (low Agni, or digestive fire)
❌ Bloating & gas, making nausea worse
❌ Emotional sensitivity & overstimulation
3. Pitta Dosha & Liver Overload (Excess Heat)
Pitta dosha (fire element) governs digestion and metabolism. Pregnancy increases Pitta in the stomach & liver, leading to:
🔥 Overproduction of stomach acids → nausea
🔥 Liver working harder to process hormones
🔥 Aversion to strong smells & spicy foods
Understanding these Ayurvedic causes can help us choose the right remedies to balance Udana Vayu, Vata, and Pitta, bringing relief from nausea naturally.
Ayurvedic Remedies to Reduce Pregnancy Nausea
🌿 1. Nourish Apana Vayu (Grounding Energy Downward)
Since Udana Vayu pushes energy upward, we need to support Apana Vayu (the downward-moving energy).
✅ Eat grounding, warm foods → Khichdi, cooked veggies, ghee
✅ Sip on ginger or fennel tea → Soothes digestion
✅ Avoid raw, cold, or dry foods → Aggravates Vata
🍋 2. Cool Pitta Dosha to Reduce Nausea
Too much heat in the stomach can trigger nausea. Try:
✅ Coconut water → Hydrates & cools Pitta
✅ Fennel, mint, or coriander water → Calms digestion
✅ Avoid spicy, fried, & acidic foods
🧘♀️ 3. Gentle Yoga to Relieve Nausea
Certain yoga postures can calm the nervous system & ease queasiness.
✅ Child’s Pose (Balasana) – Grounds Udana Vayu
✅ Supta Baddha Konasana (Reclined Butterfly Pose) – Opens digestion
✅ Side-lying Savasana with Deep Breathing – Relaxes the body
🌬️ 4. Breathwork (Pranayama) for Instant Relief
Breathing exercises regulate Udana Vayu & reduce nausea naturally.
✅ Nadi Shodhana (Alternate Nostril Breathing) – Balances energy
✅ Sheetali (Cooling Breath) – Reduces heat in the stomach
✅ Bhramari (Humming Bee Breath) – Calms the mind
Emotional Well-Being & Nausea: The Mind-Body Connection
Pregnancy is not just physical—it’s deeply emotional & energetic. Many women experience suppressed emotions, fears, or past traumas surfacing during this time.
🔸 Journaling
Writing down emotions can help process subconscious fears. A simple prompt:
“What is my body trying to tell me right now?”
🔸 Prenatal Meditation
A guided meditation focusing on grounding, safety, and surrender can help stabilize emotions and reduce nausea. (Check out my prenatal meditations for support!)
🔸 Self-Massage (Abhyanga)
A daily warm sesame oil massage (especially on the feet and lower abdomen) can soothe Vata imbalances, calm the nervous system, and relieve nausea.
How Prenatal Yoga Can Help You Feel Better
Regular prenatal yoga is a gentle, powerful way to:
✅ Balance your body’s energy flow (Vata, Pitta, Kapha)
✅ Support digestion & ease nausea naturally
✅ Reduce stress & emotional overwhelm
✅ Strengthen your body for a smooth pregnancy & delivery
If you're struggling with pregnancy nausea and want personalised guidance, I invite you to join my prenatal yoga sessions.
🌿 Book a Prenatal Yoga Class Today! 🌿
💛 Schedule a Session to feel more energized, calm, and connected to your baby.
✨ Let’s make your pregnancy journey more joyful and balanced. You deserve it! ✨
