Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy

16 Oct

Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy

Some of the most common conditions faced by women during pregnancy. Often referred to as ‘morning sickness, these episodes of nausea and vomiting can occur at any time of the day and, in some cases, may make it difficult for the woman even to perform basic, daily activities. While up to 70-80% of all pregnant women struggle with morning sickness
symptoms, this condition is mainly restricted to the first trimester of pregnancy. It is only in rare cases that the symptoms extend over into the second and third trimesters. The condition does not affect or harm the foetus in any way.

What are the causes?

While nausea and vomiting of pregnancy is extremely common, there is no exact cause to which the condition can be attributed. However, it is generally accepted that the causes of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy is a result of the hormonal changes that occur in the body in the first few months of pregnancy and some cases, excessive mental stress could also lead to the symptoms.

Treatment including dietary changes and avoid triggers

Apart from medication prescribed by a doctor, there are several things that a pregnant woman can do to ease the symptoms of nausea and vomiting. The following are some morning sickness remedies that may help reduce or even prevent the symptoms of nausea and vomiting in pregnant women.

Make dietary changes: Oily, spicy and fatty foods such as fried dishes tend to irritate one’s gastrointestinal system and often cause an urge to vomit accompanied by severe nausea. Avoiding consumption of such foods while at the same time eating small, regular and healthy meals will certainly help tackle morning sickness.
Drink plenty of water: One of the most common mistakes pregnant women make is reducing water intake, which not only leads to dehydration but also worsens the symptoms of morning sickness. Drinking plenty of water will help digest food better and reduce the severity of nausea in pregnant women.
Avoid strong smells: Nausea and vomiting could be triggered by certain strong smells and scents such as cigarette smoke, deodorants, chemicals and so on. Identifying those triggers and consciously avoiding them will help in easing symptoms and helping pregnant people women cope with morning sickness better.

When to visit a doctor

Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy do not require urgent medical attention as long as it is within manageable limits. If you suffer from severe episodes of nausea and vomiting that are debilitating (to make weak)and interfere with your ability to go about simple everyday tasks, a visit to the doctor is recommended. Moreover, it is very important to consult a doctor as soon as possible if there are other symptoms accompanying nausea and vomiting, such as weight loss, abdominal pain, dizziness, blood in vomit or any other symptoms that are causing you discomfort and pain.

References

https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/morning-sickness-nausea-and-vomiting-of-pregnancy

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3676933/

https://www.onemedical.com/blog/get-well/natural-morning-sickness-remedies

https://www.healthline.com/health/morning-sickness#complications

https://www.uptodate.com/contents/nausea-and-vomiting-of-pregnancy-beyond-the-basics