Nausea Late in Pregnancy
Morning sickness is mainly associated with the early stages of pregnancy and most women only have to suffer it until the third or fourth month. It is possible, however, to also experience nausea late in pregnancy.
Reasons for Nausea Late in Pregnancy
Just as you had morning sickness early on because being pregnant made your hormones frenetic monsters, later on, as your baby grows, your hormones will still fluctuate and you may still feel nauseous as your body adapts to the inevitable changes.
A lot of women can feel nauseous in their third trimester after they have eaten a large meal. By this time your baby is getting bigger and conditions are therefore getting more cramped inside your uterus. Inevitably the baby will start to press onto your stomach, so when you fill it with food, there’s no more space for that extra filling and, of course, you’ll start to feel nauseous. One good remedy for this is to take food in small amounts throughout the day instead of in three larger sized meals. This way, your stomach can digest the small amount of food without making the conditions too cramped and you hopefully won’t feel sick. Any of the accompanying heartburn should be reduced as well. If you still feel ill after eating, some women find that by simply adjusting their position they can sometimes ease their discomfort. This is simply because when you move, so will the baby and, if you’re lucky, he or she (or they, if you’re having twins) won’t press on the stomach quite so hard.
If you do find that you are suddenly feeling sick and vomiting a lot in the later stages of pregnancy, it is always a good idea to get yourself checked out by a professional. They can make sure that everything is O.K. and that you’re not suffering from a virus or illness. This can become serious if you find that you can’t keep any food down and, consequently, neither you nor your baby will be able to get enough nutrients to stay healthy.
There is a condition which is quite serious that some women contract in the later stages of pregnancy called hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) which basically means excessive vomiting of pregnant women. It is very rare but it inhibits the necessary intake of nutrients and water which is absolutely vital for good health. Vomiting is so excessive that some women can lose 5% of their pre-pregnancy weight; they have difficulty with everyday activities and become hypersensitive to any kind of movement. The more seriously affected can even hallucinate. There is evidence to suggest that such trauma for the baby could result in serious conditions later on in life such as diabetes or heart disease. That is why professional treatment is needed immediately. This is not written lightly in an attempt at some sensational gimmick and it is not meant to worry you – but it is something you should be aware of so if you think you have it, you can get the help you need before you or the baby are hurt. The good news is that HG is very rare and in the hands of a medical professional, it can be treated with no serious side effects.
