pregnancy

Nausea in Pregnancy

Nausea reflects, by definition, the compelling need to vomit, ie to expel gastric contents through the mouth; typical is that caused by seasickness or stomach ailments.

Symptoms in Pregnancy

To learn more: Symptoms Iperemesi Gravidica

Nausea and retching are particularly frequent during the first months of pregnancy, especially upon waking up or after morning breakfast.

This annoying sensation affects over 50% of pregnant women, tends to increase at the sight of food and is often accompanied by sialorrhea (abundant salivation).

When to worry?

For this reason, within certain limits, nausea in pregnancy is not considered a pathological but paraphysiological manifestation.

Instead, it can give some problems when it is so intense that it produces an excessive loss of liquids and nutrients with vomiting, up to decrease the mother's weight (which in the first trimester should increase, even if only only one or two kg). In these cases, especially when nausea is accompanied by a sense of general malaise, it is advisable to seek medical attention.

Causes

Nausea in pregnancy is considered an expression of the hormonal storm that "upsets", often in a positive sense, the body of the pregnant woman. In particular, among the hormones typical of this first trimester, there is one, called human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), which is often called into question in the onset of nausea. The levels of this placenta-secreted glycoprotein are generally higher in women who are expecting twins and are therefore more prone to the disorder.

The amount of human chorionic gonadotropin tends to increase very consistently up to the third month of pregnancy, to then decrease and finally stabilize (around the sixteenth week of gestation) until the time of delivery. Consequently, already around the twelfth week, the nausea is muffled until it disappears.

In the first period of pregnancy there is an alteration of the functionality of the entire digestive system. Progesterone, for example, predisposes to gastroesophageal reflux and slows the intestinal peristalsis to the point that the pregnant woman can complain of an annoying constipation.

Nausea and other gastrointestinal alterations can be interpreted as an attempt by the body to defend itself against excessive food intake, which could be a vehicle for infections and intoxications in the most delicate months for fetal development.

Remedies

To learn more: Remedies for Nausea in Pregnancy

Although there is no real solution to make nausea disappear during pregnancy, the adoption of some healthy habits can help reduce the symptoms:

  • do not make sudden movements in the moments following the awakening; stand up gently to avoid sudden pressure drop.
  • Consume a breakfast based on dry foods such as biscuits or wholemeal bread; better not to drink too much on an empty stomach.
  • Eat a snack mid-morning: the stomach must never be completely empty or completely full.
  • Consume a balanced meal, not too consistent; avoid foods that are difficult to digest, such as fries, and binges. This healthy habit protects not only from nausea, but also from stomach acid and other gastrointestinal disorders typical of pregnancy.
  • Protect yourself from penetrating odors, frequently ventilate the environment, avoid long car journeys and relax as much as possible, perhaps with the help of hypnosis (excessive tensions are often the antechamber of the problem).
  • A very recommended remedy for soothing nausea is ginger, to be taken in the form of tea or pills. The same goes for vitamin B6 (both these solutions must be discussed in advance with your doctor).
  • If a sudden attack of nausea occurs, it is always advisable to carry dry food with you, such as a packet of crackers, to be consumed when needed.

See also: Medications to Treat Nausea in Pregnancy ยป