Pregnant and Vomiting
Being pregnant is one of the most amazing experiences that any woman can have. Unfortunately there are some side effects that often accompany pregnancy including vomiting and nausea. This condition, often referred to as morning sickness, is actually very common with an estimated 70-85% of all pregnant women likely to suffer some type of nausea during their pregnancy. Knowing this fact won’t make it any easier to suffer through, but hopefully it will put into perspective that vomiting while pregnant is not unusual and shouldn’t be a threat to your or your baby.
The condition known as morning sickness is actually defined by the medical community as “nausea and vomiting of pregnancy” (or abbreviated to NVP). Although the condition is more often felt in the mornings, it is actually something that could take hold at any time of the day or night. Being pregnant and vomiting is obviously not a pleasant experience. The problem can get particularly distressing if it happens regularly or lasts for a significant period of time. As the nausea can start around week 6 of your pregnancy, you may still be keeping it a secret from friends or work colleagues so this adds another type of stress.
The symptoms of morning sickness will normally last until about week 12 or so which takes you up to the end of your first trimester. Some women will continue to suffer nausea for another one or two months and a small percentage will even have it right through until they give birth. Not everyone suffers in the same way or has the same severity of symptoms. You might have the occasional queasy feeling or you could have regular vomiting that totally restricts your lifestyle.
There is no definitive cause although there have been numerous theories and studies done over the years. Despite there being no concrete or single cause, the studies all tend to indicate that morning sickness does not pose any threat to your long term health or to the health of your developing child. In fact, studies have indicated that women who suffered NPV will have babies of average or above average weight at birth.
So the bottom line is that for most women pregnant vomiting is not something to be too worried about. This doesn’t mean that you should just ignore it or put up with it indefinitely. There are various treatments, including some simple home remedies, that you can use to remove symptoms of NPV.
You should also make sure to consult a medical professional if you are worried or unsure about your condition. This is especially important if the morning sickness continues later into pregnancy as both you and the baby might start to miss vital nutrients that come from food and liquid intake. Your doctor will probably want to rule out other possible problems, like a virus or unrelated illness, that could be causing your nausea. They will also want to rule out a serious but relatively uncommon condition known as hyperemesis gravidarum which basically refers to excessive vomiting of pregnant women. Sufferers with this problem have severe vomiting and have lost more than 5% of their pre-pregnancy weight. There can be serious issues associated with this condition but keep in mind that this will only affect a very small percentage of pregnant women.
If you are pregnant and vomiting, or suffering any type of morning sickness, then this will clearly be unpleasant and distressing at the time. Just always try to keep in mind that your health should eventually improve and allow you to experience the real joys of pregnancy.
Pregnant Nausea Defined
The term ‘pregnant nausea’ is more often referred to as morning sickness or pregnancy nausea. It will affect most pregnant women with studies indicating up to 85% will experience it at some time during their pregnancy. So if you happen to be experiencing this horrible side effect of pregnancy, then remember that you are certainly not alone.
Approximately half of all pregnant women will feel nauseous and have bouts of vomiting towards the end of their first trimester. There are even some women, estimated at around 20%, that do not feel queasy at all throughout total 9 months of pregnancy. These women are normally those expecting their first child.
For the majority of women who do have to suffer from pregnant nausea, they should expect to begin feeling the nausea and sickness anytime from the second month. It will normally last until about the fourth or fifth month. While this is obviously a very common condition, this knowledge does not make it any easier to accept when it occurs. Nausea and vomiting can be extremely draining especially as you will probably be more tired than usual. It is worthwhile trying to discuss your situation with someone. This might be a close friend, a relative, or a medical professional – just find someone that are comfortable with or that might have experience with this condition. Always keep in mind advice from medical practitioners who report that there are actually far fewer miscarriages amongst women that experience morning sickness compared to those that don’t.
The impact of pregnant nausea will vary for each individual. Every woman will have a different reaction or severity of experiences. The levels of sickness can vary significantly for each individual. While one person might feel unsettled or a little queasy in the stomach, the next person could be vomiting consistently for extended periods of time. It is really pretty random and is virtually impossible to predict.
Another issue to consider is the use of the term ‘morning’ sickness as this is basically a misnomer. The problem is not confided to mornings only and is actually defined in medical terms as ‘nausea and vomiting of pregnancy’. So some women will experience it at any time of the day which can be fairly distressing.
There is no clear answer as to why pregnant nausea occurs although numerous theories and explanations exist. They generally focus on the fluctuating hormones that naturally occur in the body as it copes with the major physical changes to it. One of these hormones is progesterone which is abundant soon after conception. This acts to relax muscles in the uterus which then prevents potential for early labor. However, it is suspected that it could also be responsible for relaxing stomach muscles too which leads to the queasiness.
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) is another hormone that could be responsible for pregnant nausea. Although it is not proven, it has been noted that hCG levels rise and fall in line with feelings of sickness.
There is another explanation that is based on sudden sensitivity to smells. Sometimes it will take just a sniff of an irritating smell to make you gag or want to vomit. If this situation happens to you, just avoid any possible locations that these smells might come from.
Although there are various possible explanations and treatments for pregnant nausea, remember that you will eventually get over it. Keep a positive attitude and look forward to the exciting time ahead.
Pregnancy Nausea – When To Expect It
There is no hard and fast rule when pregnancy nausea, more commonly known as morning sickness, will strike. Some women can go their whole term without feeling the slightest flicker of queasiness while others will be plagued with rushing to the bathroom throughout their whole pregnancy.
Everybody’s pregnancy is individual and therefore different. You may want to hurl at the thought of curry while your pregnant friend may cheerfully sit down to a vindaloo without any repercussions. Even so, there are some generalizations that can be made and will give some idea of when to expect pregnancy nausea.
When To Expect It
It is possible to feel nauseous in the first month of your pregnancy but it is more common to be morning sick around the sixth week. This is when your hormone levels are in a state of fluctuation and your body is trying to adjust to the physical changes. It is an important stage for your baby as major organs are being formed so avoiding things like alcohol, drugs and treatments such as perms or manicures – basically anything that involves the use of chemicals – is a good idea.
It is thought that sickness may be started by the increased production of progesterone which relaxes the uterus in preparation for the baby and prevents the onset of early labour. It may also relax the muscles around the stomach and so bring on nausea.
As the baby grows week by week so will the sickness continue until it reaches a peak around the twelfth to fourteenth week. Around now the nausea will start to recede although for an unlucky few, it will continue and for some will carry on even up to the birth. After the first trimester (after week 12) your hormones will start to settle in and the uterus will shift upwards to accommodate your rapidly growing baby. This means both your bladder and stomach get some respite until the baby fills all the next available space.
From the name morning sickness, you may expect to experience it only during the morning hours and, it is true that many do wake up feeling sick and nauseous. This is thought to be due to the fact that you stomach is empty and needs filling up again. Incidentally, it may be a good idea to put a few dry crackers or biscuits by your bed at night so if you wake up feeling ill in the morning, you can nibble on these and put something in your stomach to settle it. Anyway, to get back to the point in hand, morning sickness is a complete misnomer – it does not only happen in the mornings. It can strike at any point during the day and may be due to fluctuating hormones or tiredness but external factors can trigger it off as well such as a spicy meal or a pungent smell.
This is in no way a definite timetable as every pregnancy is different to the next but it will serve as a guideline on when pregnancy nausea can start to kick in.
Pregnancy Morning Sickness
There is no easy way to say this but pregnancy morning sickness really does seem to be inevitable for the vast majority of pregnant women. Of course you could be one of those lucky few who don’t experience nausea at all, and in that case you’ll just sail through your pregnancy without the slightest hint of sickness or nausea. However, if you’re like the rest of us, the thought that pregnancy morning sickness is inevitable might just be a little daunting. This is not the time to despair though – there are ways in which you can greatly reduce those wretched feelings. In fact some programs even claim to have a 95% success rate at eliminating the condition altogether.
Ways To Soothe Pregnancy Morning Sickness
Most women experience sickness from week 6 to around week 12 when their hormones are raging out of control. Their bodies are trying to cope with these fluctuations and also the physical changes as the baby grows bigger. It is an emotionally exhausting stage and to throw nausea into the blend as well may seem just a bit too much for some.
This is when it’s a good idea to take some steps to make morning sickness a little bit more manageable. Here’s a few ideas you can try:
We all know it’s important to keep healthy when pregnant by getting enough nutrients and drinking enough water. However, try not to overload the stomach with three large meals a day as this could trigger off nausea – instead, have a little bit and often. Try to take in smaller amounts of food throughout the day and always have a drink of water to hand.
Hot, spicy foods are notoriously hard to digest so always opt for the more plain type of food and give your stomach a break. Mind you, everybody is different and it could be that spicy food just happens to be one of your cravings, in that case, just go with what your body wants – it will tell you soon enough if it has had enough.
If you find yourself getting up with sickness every morning, put some dry crackers or biscuits by the bed the night before so you can nibble on these before you move, then try and rest for a bit longer. You’ll be surprised at the effect they can have to settle your stomach.
Other food stuffs with a good track record are ginger and peppermint (although, of course, it all depends on the individual). It’s a good idea to have some ginger or peppermint biscuits to hand while you’re at work or are out and about. If you feel the onset of nausea, you can nibble on these and hopefully waylay the sickness.
If your morning sickness is very severe then it’s worth going to see your doctor who can check you out to make sure everything is fine. Many women want to avoid medication at this time preferring not to use drugs for the sake of the baby. In this case, there are a few natural methods that have quite a good reputation. These include options such as wrist acupressure which have been known to reduce pregnancy morning sickness.
Morning Sickness Relief
If you are suffering from pregnancy nausea then you’ll definitely want to try anything which will give you relief from your morning sickness. Sadly, there is no definite cure-for-all which will eliminate those nauseous feelings for good. For some, this is a good thing as it makes them feel like their baby is growing at the right pace and is thriving. After all, most medical professionals say there is less likelihood of a miscarriage if the mother feels morning sickness. Nevertheless nausea is something everybody would like to avoid so here are a few ideas which may give you some morning sickness relief.
Some Ideas for Morning Sickness Relief
Spicy foods such as curry and chilli can often produce heartburn and nausea as they are much harder to digest than plain types of food; therefore, it may be beneficial to avoid these dishes for a while as your body adjusts to the changes brought on by impending motherhood. Sometimes, even the smell of pungent foods can start you running for the bathroom so pre-empt this by banning all such odorous foods from the house just for the weeks when you are feeling sick. Don’t be worried about upsetting those around you – they’ll understand and will probably bend over backwards to accommodate your every need.
Of course, there will be times when you’re out such as on a bus or merely walking down the street when you won’t be able to avoid certain smells. A bit of forward thinking will do you no end of good though - just pop a few drops of lemon essential oil on a handkerchief and keep it in your bag, then when faced with seemingly inescapable smells, just breathe through your handkerchief and you’ll avoid them.
Ginger is famous for relieving symptoms of nausea and sickness so, along with that handkerchief, drop a few ginger biscuits into your bag and nibble on them to reduce the onset of nausea.
Although you don’t want to overload your stomach with three heavy meals a day, and thereby induce a bout of sickness, it is most important to eat properly – both for you and the baby. Lots of little meals throughout the day will do you the world of good as it will give you the needed nutrients yet still be small enough for the stomach to cope with. It is equally important to stay hydrated and that means sipping water at every given opportunity. Try and keep a bottle of water with you so it is readily available. Having said that though, avoid drinking while you eat because it could actually bring on queasiness.
Always get enough sleep. This is a major part of morning sickness, the more tired you are, the more sick you’ll feel. So try to get a good night’s sleep and, if possible, take little naps throughout the day. Do not do this immediately after a meal, as you want your stomach to digest the meal properly.
These are only a few ideas to help you get some sort of morning sickness relief but remember that everybody is different so all these methods won’t work for everyone. Experiment a bit and you’ll soon find out what works for you.
Ginger for Pregnancy Sickness
Many women get told to use ginger during pregnancy to help alleviate nausea associated with morning sickness. This article will help to explain why.
Pregnancy should be one of the most wonderful times in your life. You’re radiant, glowing, and extremely excited by the thought of a new life growing inside you. Everything is good – that is until one day, you wake up feeling nauseous and queasy. Suddenly the world doesn’t have that rosy glow any more. Morning sickness is one of the most common and unwelcome side effects of pregnancy, but what can you do to combat it? Obviously, you don’t want to take endless loads of medication, you’ve got to think about the baby. No, the best option must be to investigate natural means. So what could be more natural than a bit of ginger?
The Medicinal Properties of Ginger
For centuries, ginger (Zingiber officinale) has been known to possess great healing properties. It is famous for enhancing health and feelings of well-being and as such has been prized by Indian, Arabian and Asian traditions for hundreds of years. It is considered to have “hot” or “warming” attributes and in the Asian medicine tradition is known to alleviate nausea, queasiness and a general upset stomach. It is also believed to help the heart, menstrual problems and sore throats.
Modern medicine is starting to recognize these healing properties and studies have shown that ginger can be most beneficial in helping reduce pregnancy sickness. Many trials questioning the palliative nature of ginger have all concluded that well over half of pregnant women who tried ginger felt better once they started using it.
Using Ginger To Relieve Morning Sickness
Nowadays, ginger comes in many forms, from capsules and tablets to powders and tinctures (an alcohol-based derivative of a plant e.g. ginger) and then there is always the biscuits, cakes and candy that have ginger in them.
Many women find that they feel queasy as soon as they wake up in the mornings. You can try to reduce this nausea by putting a few ginger biscuits on the bedside table each night so next morning they’re already there if you need to nibble on one.
During the day when you’re at work or traveling somewhere, you can easily start to feel the pangs of pregnancy sickness and ginger can help here as well. Pop a few ginger lollipops or candies (which are available in health stores or on the web) into your bag and you’ll find the reduction in sickness heaven sent.
It can also be found as a herbal tea so at the end of a hectic day, you should put your feet up with a cup of ginger tea (preferably made by someone else…) and just relax.
Ginger really is a natural wonder and is known to help over 50% of women suffering from pregnancy nausea but as a note of caution, although small amounts of fresh ginger is safe to use, remember, the powdered extract is somewhat stronger and should not be used so freely . This brings to mind an old adage my mother always used to tell me, “Moderation in everything” and, as usual, it looks as though she was right.
Pregnancy Vomiting and Nausea
Morning sickness seems to be inevitable. In fact, up to 85% of women suffer from pregnancy vomiting and nausea at some stage during their nine months. It usually starts in the second month and can last anywhere from the fourth to fifth month. O.K., we’ve all probably heard of those lucky few who don’t feel sick at all but for those of us mere mortals who know just what it feels like to experience this pregnancy vomiting nausea then here are a few tips on what to do.
How to Cope with Pregnancy Vomiting and Nausea
- When thinking about your diet both, food and drinks, always remember to stay hydrated. Everybody always talks of drinking around eight glasses of water a day even when you’re not pregnant. This is even more important when you’re expecting – try takes sips of water throughout the day as opposed to large drinks in one go and don’t drink fluids just before, during or after a meal.
- Food-wise – anything goes! This is not the time to watch what you eat (within reason anyway). If you get a craving for something then go for it. Salty foods such as pretzels or chips can relieve nausea and queasiness as well as earthy (brown rice, peanut butter) and bland (mashed potatoes, broth) foods. Ginger is famous for soothing upset stomachs so this is good in any form – candies, powdered, herbal tea or ginger ale – even the smell can reduce nausea.
- If you are being sick on a regular basis, it is very important to keep a check on your hydration levels as you will be losing a lot of fluid each time the nausea comes on. This is not something to get worried about so long as you can keep some food and water down when you are not feeling sick but if you find that nothing is staying down then it is best to seek medical advice and help.
- Another way which can help your morning sickness is to get plenty of rest. That means a good night’s sleep and lots of little naps when the fancy takes you (call it one of the perks of pregnancy!). It’s a proven fact that women need more sleep in the first three months of pregnancy and nausea seems to get worse when you become tired.
- Keep in airy places full of fresh air as hot, stuffy rooms can affect nausea – the kitchen can be quite a foreboding place when you are feeling sick as it can be both hot and full of pungent smells so either veto people from cooking odorous foods or veto yourself from the kitchen and get others to wait on you!
- Now is the time you are probably going to need the support of people around you. You’ll be amazed at how many people actually want to help. Whenever you feel a bit low or tired (be it from actual morning sickness or just from the effort of coping with being pregnant) don’t be afraid to ask. Before you know it there will be a line of people queuing up around the block just to be the first to help out.
Of course, pregnancy vomiting nausea is a downside when facing pregnancy but it is all totally worth it when you actually get to hold your brand new baby nine months down the line.
Pregnancy Sickness Explained
Pregnancy sickness is one of the more unwanted side effects of expecting a baby, but unfortunately it is one of the most common with well over half of all women who are pregnant experiencing it.
Most women have it in the first trimester (the first three months) of pregnancy, starting in about the second month and continuing with it until the fourth or fifth month. A small minority never experience it at all although this usually seems to be first-time mothers and they will probably have it in any subsequent pregnancies. An unlucky few will have it throughout their pregnancy which can be especially draining and exhausting. Some just feel slightly queasy while others will need the bathroom several times a day. There is no hard and fast rule of who will get it and to what intensity. Everybody is different and it seems that no one can put a concrete guarantee on exactly why it happens. There are numerous theories but none have actually been proved.
Pregnancy sickness is more commonly known as morning sickness but this is a misnomer as the nausea can strike you at any time of the day as numerous women will attest. It is true that many will wake up feeling sick and nauseous but it doesn’t stop there. You can be on a bus, or at work, and the feeling can descend on you again. If you’re trying to keep your pregnancy quiet for a few months, more often than not, somebody at work will twig when you head for the bathroom at a double quick pace every ten minutes.
Theories as to why it happens usually centre on hormones. There is no doubt that pregnancy will cause havoc with your hormones and it is thought that this fluctuation could be a major factor in the sickness symptoms. At the beginning of your pregnancy, the production of progesterone is increased in order to relax the muscles of the uterus. This stops early labour and helps increase your immunity level. This, however, may also have an effect on the stomach and induce a feeling of nausea.
If you just step back and look at it objectively, it makes sense that the body will have some sort of reaction to the massive changes it has to go through. You are suddenly having to support an extra life inside you and it is obvious that major adaptations will have to be made. This is no easy task and it is not at all surprising to think the stomach could be upset in all the upheaval.
As your pregnancy progresses, and the baby gets bigger, you may find that you often feel sick after a meal. This is quite normal as space is naturally getting a little cramped. When you fill your stomach, the baby, out of necessity, will push on the newly ingested food and make you feel ill. Sometimes this sickness can be accompanied by a bit of heartburn as well. Don’t worry – move around a bit. Women often find a different position eases the feeling. Also try to eat smaller meals, and more often, so the stomach has more room to digest without the baby pushing on it.
Pregnancy sickness is a major trial in the months leading up to your baby’s arrival but the joy of holding that newborn miracle soon makes any discomfort melt away.
Nausea in Pregnancy
Nausea in pregnancy is one of the last things you want to contend with but, unfortunately, it is one of the most common side effects when you are expecting. Between 50-85% of women suffer from pregnancy nausea, more commonly known as morning sickness. Coming as it does, when you’re already quite emotional and tired, it can seem like an overpowering mountain to overcome.
If you’re one of the lucky few, you might never even experience nausea in pregnancy but for the rest of us who know what it’s like to have to rush to the bathroom at the most impromptu of moments; morning sickness can really bring you down.
The reasons for the nausea all seem to be a bit hazy but overall, it’s pretty safe to say that it happens because of the massive fluctuations of hormones your body has to deal with as a new life grows inside you. It is known that as soon as you get pregnant, there is an increased production of the hormone progesterone which relaxes the uterus and stops early labor – this could also be responsible for making you feel queasy and nauseous if the effects of the hormone extend to the stomach.
Most women experience sickness from around the middle of the second month to around the fourth month. It can go on longer to about the end of the fifth month and, for some, it can even last right through the pregnancy. This is nothing to worry about – just remember to stay hydrated which can be quite difficult if you’re being sick all the time. As well as this it is vital to get enough to eat both for you and your growing baby.
If you find you can’t keep anything down then it is best to consult your doctor just so he can check you over and make sure everything is O.K. In extreme cases, some women have a condition known as hyperemesis gravidarum (which is just a fancy Latin name for extreme morning sickness) if you are experiencing this it is most important to get professional help so they can ensure you and the baby are getting enough fluids and nutrients.
Although you can’t prevent nausea in pregnancy in the first place, there are ways to reduce and sometimes stop completely those feelings which quite honestly just make you feel wretched. Most women prefer to use natural methods as they feel it will be better for themselves and the baby.
Always try to get enough sleep – this is important at any stage of your life but especially so during pregnancy. Without enough sleep, you feel more rundown and more likely to get morning sickness so, if you can, put your feet up and take little catnaps throughout the day: rest and relaxation is the way to go. Dry biscuits and crackers can also help and, of course, ginger which has always been famous for settling upset stomachs. There are now natural products on the market which incorporate these types of food such as lollipops, candies and herbal teas.
Another great natural method is acupressure, which may sound complicated but couldn’t be more simple. Wrist bands with specially positioned buttons put pressure on the inside of your wrist and over half of women who use them report feeling better within five or so minutes.
Not all remedies will work for everyone but, with experimentation, you’ll more than likely find a way that works for you and you’ll manage to get some relief from that inevitable nausea in pregnancy.
Morning Sickness Remedies
When morning sickness strikes, it is honestly the last thing you need – it will usually start around the sixth week of your pregnancy when you’re already quite emotional and tired. More often than not, it’s before you’ve gone public with the happy news. The stress of trying to appear quite normal, while in reality you feel queasy and nauseous, is sometimes just too much. There is medication available but understandably you don’t know the effects that could have on the growing baby inside you. You need to apply some morning sickness remedies, so the obvious solution to try is the natural way.
Some Natural Options
- Acupressure is an old Chinese art. Most people have heard of acupuncture and, in a way, it’s like that – only without the needles! It works on the principle that the stimulation of different pressure points on the body will reduce or relieve varying symptoms you may have. People use it to lose weight, cure a headache, or perhaps even stop diarrhea. It can also be used to alleviate nausea and sickness – most obviously morning sickness. The pressure point related to this is called P6 and is situated on the inside of the wrist. Studies have shown that a continual pressure on this point helps reduce or even completely stop morning sickness in up to 85% of women. Adjustable wristbands with a small button on the inside are now readily available and prove to be a veritable god-send for the majority that try them. If, however, you find yourself in the minority percentile – don’t despair, there are other morning sickness remedies which are just as effective.
- A lot of women find themselves nauseous when they wake up, most probably because the stomach is empty and more likely to be upset. It may be a good idea to take a few dry biscuits or crackers to bed with you so you have them handy to nibble on in the morning before you even get out of bed. If possible, you should nibble on these and then stay in bed for another 20-30 minutes to let them have an effect and also to let your body become ‘fully awake’. When you do get up, do it slowly – any sudden jolting movement can trigger queasiness and nausea. It may sound silly but try it in stages. Sit up, then when you think you feel fine, swing your feet out of bed. Finally, again when you feel like it, slowly stand up.
- Strong odors are often to blame for triggering a bout of sickness. Just one whiff of a pan of frying sausages will find you heading for the bathroom. At home, this is easily remedied by banning the cooking of all pungent smelling foods. Incidentally, pungent food is mostly associated with spicy food which is also known to bring on sickness so a total ban may be the only way to go. This is more difficult to control when you’re out and about. One useful idea is to put a few drops of essential lemon oil on your hanky. When confronted with an unwelcome odor, you can simply breathe through the lemon and escape those queasy feelings.
- Certain foods also have the ability to soothe sickness. Try some ginger perhaps in a biscuit or candy or maybe in a herbal tea, the effect can be nothing short of miraculous. Another proven way which works for some is to increase your levels of vitamin B6. You can now get different flavored lollipops made with B6 which are good to suck on.
These are only a few natural morning sickness remedies and some may not work for you but, if you keep trying, you will eventually hit on one that does. You’ll be able to stop that wretched feeling once and for all.
