The Morning Sickness Companion

by Elizabeth Kaledin, Lynn Friedman (Foreword)

It’s frustrating and a nuisance---and it can be a major obstacle to experiencing the joy of pregnancy. But morning sickness doesn’t always strike in the morning, and for many women it doesn’t even strike---it’s an ever-present part of their pregnancy, with symptoms ranging from mild nausea and exhaustion to crippling depression and physical illness.

We all know the standard suggestions---crackers and tea, Jell-O and ginger ale---but when they don’t seem like enough, what can women really do to manage their symptoms and recover the happiness their pregnancy should bring? As debilitating as morning sickness is, we don’t hear much about it. But finally, just when it seems as though there’s nothing out there, women have somewhere to turn.

Elizabeth Kaledin’s The Morning Sickness Companion is a book by and for women suffering morning sickness. Morning sickness is a reality of pregnancy---_ of women are affected---and this book is dedicated to them. It fills a major void in pregnancy literature, providing a brief history of morning sickness, all the latest scientific thinking, research on its emotional toll, and lots of reassuring tips and advice from other women about what they ate, how sick they really were, and how to survive, since the fact is it is nearly inevitable. Engaging, warm, often funny, and always informative, The Morning Sickness Companion offers women who are suffering the wisdom and comfort they really need.

176 pages, Paperback

First published April 11, 2003

Reviews

[mere · Rating 2 out of 5]

General solidarity and surface level information regarding morning sickness, 5 stars. However, noting the severely outdated publication of this book, dropping it to 2 stars.
Motherisk, a strong resource, is under scrutiny and lawsuit, and is no longer active in Canada. Take what you want with a grain of salt- and always call your doctor!

[Taryn Knepp · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was just the comfort I needed as I endured the throes of first trimester sickness. It really was a great “companion,” as the title suggests. The author was the first one I’ve ever read who was completely real about how miserable, isolating, and hopeless pregnancy sickness can feel. I identified with everything she said, and found the pages heart-warming and humorous.

[Chanae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Before anyone asks... no I'm not preganant. I do belive in being prepared though! And since my mom is always warning me that I'll probably be as sick as she was when she was pregnant, I thought this would be an interesting read. And it was. It's a very short book but it has accomplished much for me: 1) I am now more worried and freaked out after reading all the stories of women being sick, 2) last night as I was trying to go to sleep all I could think about was vomit - uggh! 3) I am now trying to formulate an emergency plan in case I ever feel the sudden urge to vomit at work because I have just realized how far the bathroom really is from my computer, and 4) I am thinking I need to have my Dad start bringing home the airplane sickness bags everytime he flies so I can start stock piling up - hiding them in my purse and the car, in my back pocket, in quick & easy to grab locations at work, in books... Oh geez, can you imagine? Hopefully it won't come to all that (especially work - i can see my coworkers freaking out right now. Heck, I'm freaking out thinking about it). So anyways, now that I'm done rambling - it was a good book. Read it and enjoy... especially the "vomit chronicals" chapter.

[Jaimee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wrote this while pregnant:

I am now in my 13th week of morning sickness and I'm finding it difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel. The continuous nausea beats you down until you feel like you're all alone and there is no hope for relief. This book, unlike every other pregnancy book that I've read, really addresses all the issues surrounding the nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. Elizabeth Kaledin is extremely knowledgable and uses humor and empathy to reach out to women going through this difficult time. She offers advice, personal stories, and testamonials from other women throughout the book. She doesn't gloss over of emotional aspects like so many other authors (and doctors). I found it all extremely comforting and it helped me to feel less alone and hopeless. I highly recommend this to all women (and partners) going through "morning" sickness.

[Whitney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was more my speed than the one i read previously (Eating Well When Your Expecting.) Although there is little that can be done for most women suffering from the common side effects of early pregnancy, this book was great to read to help understand everything behind the misery and remind you that you are not alone in your suffering! I would recommend it to any fellow sickly expecting mother!

[Brynna Schiller]

This book has been recommended on the HyperEmesis Gravidarium support forums. I will get to read it someday when the trauma of my very SICK and miserable pregnancy is more tolerable to think about.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gave me perspective during those weeks of living so close to the bathroom.