Nausea during pregnancy: causes and treatment

Very few women boast that they did not experience nausea during pregnancy. Indeed, nausea is one of the main and first signs of pregnancy. This unpleasant feeling is experienced by 90% of women in early pregnancy. Nausea is one of the manifestations of toxicosis, which is difficult to cope with. It has long been proven that moderate nausea is a natural process of the body, it does not harm the child and is not a symptom of any pathologies. The whole problem is only that it is quite difficult for a woman to survive long months of nausea. As a rule, toxicosis lasts up to 12-14 weeks of pregnancy, but in some cases it can last all 9 months. This period you just need to survive. In this article, you will learn about the main causes of toxicosis, as well as get acquainted with numerous tips for eliminating feelings of nausea during pregnancy.

Why is sick during pregnancy

Of course, nausea is a normal physiological condition of a pregnant woman. However, why does it arise? Let's try to figure it out.

1. Hormonal changes. Hormonal changes are the main source of nausea during pregnancy. There is an assumption that nausea is associated with the level of hCG. It begins to increase after fertilization and subsides after 12-13 weeks. That is why nausea accompanies a woman in a given period of pregnancy.
2. Placenta. There is another scientific assumption, which suggests that toxicosis develops at the very beginning of pregnancy, before the placenta has time to form. The fact is that the placenta becomes fully viable only after 10-12 weeks, and until that time the fetus remains very vulnerable and unprotected. Nature protects the young mother from possible poisoning, making her feel an aversion to certain foods. Moreover, the body itself suggests which vitamins are not enough for the baby, and what is in excess in the body. This is what determines the changed, and sometimes even perverse, taste of a pregnant woman.
3. Hereditary factor. There is a proven claim that nausea during pregnancy is genetically embedded information. Ask your mom how she suffered a pregnancy - probably you will find a similar development. Moreover, it is proved that in every subsequent pregnancy, nausea in a woman increases.
4. Diseases of the liver and gastrointestinal tract. Diseases of the liver and gastrointestinal tract can also play a decisive role. If a woman has chronic diseases of the liver, stomach, pancreas or cardiovascular system, the likelihood of nausea increases several times.
5. Age. Women after 40 years experience toxicosis much more acutely.
6. Psychosomatic factors. Nausea is often associated with the psychological component. If a woman often cries and gets nervous, nausea intensifies. Indeed, there are many causes for concern - the expectant mother is worried about her relationship with her husband, the question is about finances, housing, older children (if any), a figure, work. A large number of experiences in one way or another affects health.
7. Multiple pregnancy. Another scientifically proven fact - with multiple pregnancy, toxicosis lasts several weeks longer.

These are just some of the factors that can cause nausea during pregnancy. But often nausea can appear even in a young, absolutely healthy and calm woman. What to do in this case? Toxicosis just needs to survive and wait.We have put together the most effective tips for nausea during pregnancy.

Nutrition for toxicosis

Very often, nausea occurs due to unpleasant odors or food, which causes disgust. Here are some nutrition tips and tricks to help reduce your nausea.

1. To avoid overfilling of the stomach, you need to eat little, but often. Do not overeat, the portion should not be larger than the volume of your palm, otherwise the feeling of nausea you can not avoid. However, you need to eat every 2-3 hours so that the baby receives food.
2. Very often, nausea occurs in the morning as soon as you get out of bed. This is due to emptiness in the stomach. After waking up, it’s useful to immediately eat cookies or crackers without getting out of bed. Leave something edible on the bedside table in the evening. And only after getting food into the stomach can you slowly get out of bed.
3. In no case do not eat what causes disgust. Even if cottage cheese is healthy three times, do not eat it if you do not want to.
4. Probably no need to say that food should be only fresh and of high quality. No dubious fast food.
5. Salty foods like crackers, nuts, pickled cucumbers help cope with nausea very well.
6. If you have no desire, do not force yourself to eat hot dishes. During toxicosis, you can eat fruits, yogurts, cookies, nuts. By the way, soups make nausea worse.
7. Peppermint candies and tea with ginger can suppress a feeling of nausea.
8. Cold and hot dishes and drinks increase toxicosis. Food and drink should be warm.
9. For severe bouts of nausea, suck on a slice of lemon.
10. Drink more water - mineral without gas.
11. Seeds help some cope with nausea.

If you work or regularly leave the house, you should have mint sweets, lemon, ginger, seeds in your purse - this will help you cope with a sudden attack of nausea.

How to get rid of nausea during pregnancy

Even if you follow all the rules of a healthy diet, nausea can still accompany you throughout the day. Here are some lifestyle tips to help you get rid of toxicosis or reduce its effects.

1. Most often, nausea is triggered by odors - harsh and unpleasant. Try to protect yourself from them as much as possible. Ask your household not to use perfume or do it outside the home. At first, a pregnant woman may feel sick even from the smell of raw meat, so it’s better to refuse cooking too.
2. Ventilate the room more often, especially before bedtime. Keep track of the air temperature in the room - it should not exceed 24 degrees. When the weather is warm, leave the window open - in cool air and with a lot of oxygen, it breathes much better.
3. Stop smoking, if you haven’t done it yet, don’t be in the smoking rooms.
4. If nausea occurs, you need to close your nose and breathe through your mouth - so you will protect yourself from an unpleasant odor for a while.
5. You can get rid of a sudden attack of nausea with mint chewing gum.
6. Avoid stress and nervous stress, relax more. If you work in a sitting position, at lunchtime, try to walk at least 200 meters. If possible, pregnant women should sleep more than usual - 8-10 hours a day. With severe toxicosis, it is imperative to take breaks for daytime sleep.
7. In the evenings and on weekends, walk around ponds in forest-park areas. A sufficient amount of oxygen will reduce the feeling of nausea.
8. Some women escape from nausea during pregnancy with toothpaste. Try brushing your teeth - in some cases it helps. Instead of toothpaste, you can use mint liquids to rinse your mouth.
9. Sometimes nausea does not occur in the morning, but in the evening.This may indicate the individual characteristics of the woman or that she is simply tired or nervous. This is especially true for working pregnant. In this case, you need to drink 7-8 drops of tincture of motherwort or valerian - this will calm down and get rid of nausea.
10. Avoid triggering factors. Wear comfortable clothing that makes you comfortable - both mentally and physically. Discard the heels. Avoid public transport - there you will find not only unpleasant odors, but also numerous viruses that you now do not need.
11. If you drop something, you don’t need to bend down, it’s better to sit down. This will prevent nausea and dizziness.
12. Before going to bed, you need to eat something so as not to fall asleep on an empty stomach. It is better to sleep on the right side and use two pillows so that the head is raised up.
13. Sometimes a psychological shake helps get rid of nausea - a trip on vacation, attending various events, meeting nice people. Any good emotions will help you forget about nausea.
14. Be sure to take multivitamins, because often toxicosis can be a sign of a lack of important trace elements.
15. On the wrist, about three centimeters from the palm, there is an active point, which is located in the recess between the tendons. She is responsible for feeling nauseous. If you press on it for several minutes, the nausea will pass. You can also use special bracelets that are worn on trips - they act directly on this point.

Each woman finds her own individual way to cope with toxicosis and suppress nausea. Try all the methods - one after another, and one of them will be effective just for you.

Nausea - the norm or pathology

As noted, a slight nausea is normal, which happens in almost all women. But what if you feel very sick? Should I see a doctor? Of course, you need to talk about your feelings with an observing gynecologist. If no more than 10 episodes of nausea occur in a day, and they are not accompanied by vomiting, this is usually not a cause for concern. In what cases should I immediately seek help?

1. If a pregnant woman loses weight.
2. If nausea is accompanied by vomiting, more than three times a day.
3. If a woman can not fully eat.
4. If nausea is accompanied by fever, heart palpitations.

In this case, toxicosis can be dangerous - a woman's body experiences dehydration, the baby does not receive the necessary nutrition. In some cases, this condition is fraught with death of the fetus. Therefore, with severe attacks of vomiting and nausea, a woman must be placed for inpatient treatment.

Pregnancy is the happiness that many women look forward to. However, this is not always a cute tummy, indulging whims and the choice of beautiful children's clothing. Pregnancy is really a serious test for a woman. The first thing a woman faces in the early stages is nausea, persistent, annoying. You can cope with an unpleasant sensation, our tips will help you with this. Follow the rules of a healthy diet, relax and walk more, monitor the quality of your life, do not be nervous. And then the nausea will gradually recede, and pregnancy will bring only joyful moments.

Video: what to do with nausea in early pregnancy