Pregnancy nausea:
It is considered one of the first signs and symptoms of pregnancy, and it usually begins in the morning and ends when the pregnant woman becomes active throughout the day. It stops after the 14th week of pregnancy, and it is possible that nausea continues in some women throughout the months of pregnancy.
Cause and factors that increase nausea occurrence:
It is believed that hormonal changes in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy are most likely one of the causes of morning nausea, but some factors may increase the possibility of morning nausea or severe vomiting, such as:
- Pregnancy with twins or more.
- Severe nausea and vomiting in a previous pregnancy.
- A history of motion sickness (e.g., car sickness) or migraines.
- Feeling nauseous when taking contraceptives that contain estrogen
- This pregnancy is the first pregnancy.
- Obesity (body mass index of 30 or more)
- Stress.
Ways to relieve nausea:
Nausea in the morning:
- Waking up a short time earlier.
- It is better to keep some biscuits next to the bed; Take it as soon as you wake up and then get out of bed slowly.
Nausea during the day:
- Eat 5 to 6 separate small meals; To avoid satiety and excessive hunger, by avoiding drinking liquids while eating meals, but liquids can be drunk half an hour before or half an hour after eating meals.
- Not sleeping immediately after eating; Because it increases the feeling of nausea.
- Avoid foods or smells that trigger nausea.
- Avoid being in warm places, which may lead to increased nausea.
- Get plenty of rest, as exhaustion and fatigue increase nausea.
Nausea in the evening:
- Avoid spicy foods at dinner.
- Prepare foods that do not have a strong smell. A pregnant woman may have to avoid cooking during the first months if this increases nausea.
- Go to bed early, because the pregnant woman needs rest to get energy for the next day.
- When getting up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom, try eating biscuits.
Nutritional suggestions:
- Cold foods (e.g.: sandwiches, uncooked vegetables and salad).
- Foods rich in vitamin B6 (e.g.: bananas, avocados, spinach, etc.).
- Vegetables and fruits of all kinds.
- Chicken soup and baked potato.
Suggestions for snacks to reduce nausea:
- Lemon (eat it or smell it).
- Ginger (ginger tea or ginger jam).
- Crackers and dry salted baked foods.
- Cooked sweet potatoes.
- Breakfast cereals dry or with milk.
- Roasted pistachios or hazelnuts.
Excessive vomiting:
It is a name that describes severe vomiting of a pregnant woman, which causes a loss of 5% of her weight before pregnancy, as well as a loss of body fluids, as well as exposing her to dehydration. When excessive vomiting occurs, treatment must be received in hospital to stop vomiting and restore body fluids.
When to see a doctor:
- If normal attempts fail to reduce nausea, which affects life of the pregnant woman.
- If urine is very dark in color or you haven't urinated in more than 8 hours
- If you are unable to keep down food or liquids for 24 hours
- Feeling very weak, dizzy or faint when standing up.
- Abdominal pain.
- Temperature rise.
- Bloody vomiting.
- Weight loss.