Do you suffer from hyperemesis, vomiting, or nausea?
We have compiled a list of tips for you who – unfortunately like many others – suffer from vomiting and nausea related to your pregnancy.
Although many fortunately escape it, many women are unfortunately affected by both severe nausea and vomiting, while others pregnant only suffer from nausea when they haven't eaten for a while.
The first weeks of pregnancy will, for 75-80% of all women, be marked by varying degrees of nausea – but vomiting in the 1st trimester only affects about 50% of these women with nausea, and nausea and vomiting only continue for 1 in 10 into the 2nd trimester.
Vomiting that is so severe that it affects the body's salt and fluid balance – also called hyperemesis – unfortunately only affects just under 1% of pregnant women. If you suspect that you might be one of them, you should contact your doctor.
Although the cause of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy is not clear, it may possibly be due to:
- The hormone hCG increases during pregnancy
- The pregnant woman experiences dehydration
- The hormone estrogen increases during pregnancy
Read on and get good advice to reduce vomiting and feelings of nausea.
Eat frequently and get plenty of carbohydrates
For many pregnant women, it only takes a little quick carbohydrates in the form of a banana or crackers before they can leave the bed in the morning without nausea. Throughout the day, many also find it practical to pull out a cracker or some almonds from their bag to quickly and effectively combat nausea.
Both your digestive system and your blood sugar will also thank you if you stick to small meals at short intervals. For many pregnant women, this helps to prevent excessive hunger, and the stable blood sugar level has a soothing effect on potential nausea – so whatever your body can best tolerate, frequent cold or hot meals, is definitely worth a try.
Remember to get plenty of fluids
A frequent intake of fluids throughout the day can work wonders against a common pregnancy problem like constipation – and particularly sparkling water should be considered, as carbonation generally has a suppressive effect on nausea. You should especially keep an eye on getting plenty of fluids throughout the day if you are vomiting a lot – but be careful not to gulp it all down at once. If the stomach suddenly fills with too much fluid, it can make nausea worse.
Limit irritating smells
Good ventilation in the home is a really good idea if you, like many other pregnant women plagued by nausea, experience an unusual sensitivity to smells. Talk to your close ones about limiting the use of strongly scented items around you. Get your partner to help you keep the refrigerator odor-free, possibly by removing odor sources with a used coffee filter inside.
Make sure to get some rest
If you are suffering from severe nausea and vomiting, it is especially important that you get the opportunity to rest. Does it seem impossible because you have older children, for example? Then make sure to team up with family and friends so you can get a little peace in your body – many of them are usually more than willing to help.
Try acupuncture
It may seem daunting the first time, but acupuncture has been shown to help many pregnant women. And despite its roots in Chinese medicine, it is not just old superstition: the positive effects of acupuncture are also supported by modern studies and research. Throughout your body, you have so-called meridians, which acupuncture stimulates by inserting tiny needles into the skin along these pathways. This can alleviate many problems, both for pregnant women and others – and if acupuncture is not possible, many of these benefits can also be achieved through acupressure. Here, you stimulate the meridian points in the body by pressing on them.
Sea-band: Acupressure in a bracelet
Now that we are on the topic of acupressure, sea bands can also be a good solution for nausea. Although they are best known as a remedy for motion sickness, these small bracelets are essentially just acupressure and can help alleviate a host of ailments. They apply pressure to a meridian point in the wrist, are completely free of side effects, and can be used around the clock. If sea bands work for you, this fantastic little invention is definitely worth the approximately 120 DKK they cost at Matas, health stores, and many pharmacies.
Ginger: The multitasker of natural medicine
If you are interested in natural medicine and old home remedies, ginger can also be exciting to try. There is no scientific proof that ginger can alleviate nausea or other ailments. However, historically, many have used ginger to heal and prevent a wide range of common health problems.
Gingerol is an active substance found in ginger and is the reason why many believe that ginger has medicinal properties. This active substance is said to stimulate both bile and stomach acid production as well as saliva production, thus calming the gastrointestinal system.
However, it is important to be aware that the Health Authority advises pregnant women against using concentrated amounts of ginger and natural medicine. Therefore, you should stick to using ginger in your tea or cooking if you want to test its effect on pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting.
Peppermint: Another natural hero
Another interesting ingredient from the world of natural medicine is peppermint. This is also said to reduce nausea and can be used in many ways. For example, try peppermint chewing gum or toothpaste that tastes of it – or drop a little peppermint oil on your hand and lick the back of your hand. However, as with ginger, excessive use of peppermint is also discouraged.
Pyridoxine – also known as B6 vitamin
If you have nausea but are not vomiting, B6 vitamin – or Pyridoxine, as it is also called – can work wonders for you. According to studies, 20mg of the vitamin taken three times a day can help against nausea. Talk to your doctor if you are considering taking B6 vitamin.
If supplements are not your thing, B6 vitamin can also be found in foods such as vegetables, milk, lean meat, and whole grain products – but boiling, light, and frying unfortunately break down most of the vitamin.
