Pregnancy nausea including vomiting is quite common with as many as half the population of pregnant women experiencing it. The extent and severity of this nausea however varies for different women. While the exact reasons for vomiting and nausea in pregnant women cannot be pinpointed, it is widely believed by experts that the physical changes in the woman’s body and hormonal changes cause this nausea.
The experience of nausea is often accompanied by vomiting and it starts around the 6th week in the pregnancy period. Pregnancy nausea is also commonly known as morning sickness although it can happen at any point of time during the day. For almost 80% women this experience of morning sickness stops in the 12th week of the pregnancy period. Other women may continue to experience queasiness in intervals throughout the pregnancy period. Pregnancy nausea and the associated discomfort and vomiting may cause interference in the daily activities of many women and some have to change their schedules to handle the condition better.
It is important to understand that nausea is very much a part of pregnancy and is not harmful either to the mother or to her baby. In some cases the feelings of nausea are so overwhelming that the mother may miss her meals and the baby may thereby lose out on the essential nutrients. In that case it is always advisable to seek professional help. The condition of excessive vomiting during the pregnancy period is called hyperemesis gravidarum and such excessive vomiting can result in dehydration.
It is possible to control the problem of nausea and any associated vomiting with a few simple tips. It is advisable for the pregnant woman to get up slowly from the bed. Many women tend to eat crackers in the morning before getting up as this can help reduce nausea. Eating small meals at frequent intervals ensures that the stomach is not completely empty and this can help reduce pregnancy nausea.
Meals rich in proteins and complex carbohydrates maintain the blood sugar levels and provide energy. Skipping meals should be strictly avoided. It is important that extremely spicy food or fried food is also avoided. Cooking food can be problematic for many pregnant women because of the smell so it is advisable to open the windows and the stove fan should also be turned on.
Some women also get relief from problems of upset stomach by sniffing ginger or lemons. Some food items such as chips, cake, juice, pickles, apple slices and crackers can help relieve the problem of pregnancy nausea. Women tend to feel quite tired during pregnancy and therefore it is advisable that plenty of rest is taken.
Getting fresh air from time to time can reduce feelings of nausea. Some women tend to experience nausea while taking their daily dose of prenatal vitamins. Switching brands or changing prescriptions after consultation with the doctor can help in resolving this problem. Sometimes changing the time of taking the medicines can also help in reducing the problem of nausea. Some food items tend to trigger pregnancy nausea and so these should be identified and avoided.
Acupressure has been known to alleviate problems of nausea particularly in women experiencing extreme nausea. For this purpose acupressure wrist bands can also be used. However before using acupressure it is advisable to consult your doctor. There are many herbal remedies for nausea available in the market that claim to resolve problems of pregnancy nausea and also vomiting but it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional before any herbal remedies are taken.
It is advisable to seek immediate professional help if symptoms of dehydration such as dark colored urine or frequent urination are seen. Likewise repeated vomiting, observation of blood in vomit, extreme pain in pelvic region should also be immediately brought to the attention of the medical professional. Some medicines are available that use doxylamine and vitamin B6 so as to reduce problems of vomiting. Even though these medicines are safe they should be taken only after consultation with a healthcare professional.
