Tips to ease pregnancy nausea
Nausea is a symptom of pregnancy that is common and annoying, the severity of nausea varies from one woman to another, some might have it mild, while others can have a severe case that requires them to go to the hospital. More on nausea and how to overcome it in pregnancy in this article.
Karine Chahda
When does nausea start?
Nausea, which is better known as morning sickness, is a feeling of queasiness, often followed by vomiting, that women experience at the beginning of their pregnancy. It usually starts around the sixth week of pregnancy and lasts until the twelfth week or the end of the first trimester. It usually happens due to the changes in hormones, and the elevation of Estrogen and Beta-hCG. The severity of this nausea varies from one woman to another, and for the same woman, it might be different from one pregnancy to another and from one trimester to another as well.
When does morning sickness subside?
It usually subsides by the end of the first trimester, but it might last longer due to physical reasons that can be diagnosed and treated by a specialist. Sometimes pregnant women suffer from nausea and vomiting during the final trimester, because of the pressure the growing uterus poses on their digestive system, which causes vomiting as well.
Tips to ease nausea during pregnancy
- Prenatal vitamins
Prenatal vitamins especially vitamin B6 helps in easing nausea during pregnancy for many women.
- Mint leaves
Mint leaves when consumed as warm or cold herbal tea or infused in water can make nausea subside a great deal.
- Ginger
Ginger helps in improve digestive health, and it helps in easing nausea, and it can be consumed as a tea, water infusion, or hard candy.
- Chamomile
Chamomile tea also helps in subsiding pregnancy nausea.
- Ice cream
Having fruit-flavored ice cream can also help you overcome nausea during pregnancy.
- Crackers or toast
Before coming out of bed, when the stomach acidity is at its highest, have a cracker or toasted bread. They absorb the acidity and help with nausea.
- Modifying the diet
Instead of having three major meals, try having several smaller meals that are rich in protein, and low in fat and spices. This has shown great results in improving sickness.
Hyperemesis gravidarum
This is the name called for severe cases of nausea and vomiting that women experience during pregnancy, this condition causes dehydration and extreme fatigue. Women who suffer from this condition need to seek medical help. They are usually treated with medication, and doses of vitamin B6.
Some women do yoga, or acupuncture to overcome this annoying pregnancy symptom. These methods proved effective especially when the reason behind the nausea is emotional and psychological. Some women suffer from severe anxiety during pregnancy, due to fear of losing the pregnancy especially if they had previous miscarriages. Or due to Tokophobia, or not accepting the pregnancy if it was unplanned.
Red flags!
If nausea and vomiting happen at the end of the second trimester or later, and were accompanied by headache, upper abdominal pain, and swelling of the face or extremities, urgent medical help is required, as these might be signs of preeclampsia.
