Nausea during pregnancy

Nausea during pregnancy is usually one of the most commonly experienced symptoms by women. Up to 70% of pregnant women experience nausea at some point during early pregnancy. It is known that this is not only one of the first signs of pregnancy, but also a common symptom during the first trimester, and sometimes longer.

While nausea is certainly an unpleasant feeling, the good news is that it is not harmful to you or your baby and is often seen as a sign of a healthy pregnancy. Nausea is a key part of a common problem called morning sickness.

Causes of nausea during pregnancy

The cause of nausea during pregnancy is not fully understood. However, it appears to be related to the production of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Commonly known as the pregnancy hormone, it is a hormone that the body begins to produce when a fertilized egg attaches itself to the lining of the uterus. Again, it's not clear how this contributes to nausea, but since they both peak around the same time, it's suggested there's a clear link between the two.

There are other theories about the causes of nausea during pregnancy. Some other contributing factors may be:

Estrogen is another hormone that rises in early pregnancy and can contribute to nausea.
A sensitive stomach can get worse when trying to adjust to changes during pregnancy.
It is believed that stress or fatigue causes a physical reaction in the body, resulting in nausea and vomiting.

When to expect nausea during pregnancy

Nausea usually starts within four to eight weeks of pregnancy and should go away between 13 and 14 weeks. However, it can start earlier and last longer. Also, not all women will experience nausea during the first trimester. It may only last a few weeks, or it may come and go within the first few months.

Many refer to nausea during pregnancy as morning sickness, leading women to believe that nausea will only occur in the morning. In fact, studies show that "morning sickness" is more likely to occur during the day than in the early morning.

Treatment of nausea during pregnancy

Treatment and prevention of nausea during pregnancy is daily self-care and home remedies. The following suggestions are good to try as soon as you find out you're pregnant, or if you're already pregnant and just looking for relief.

Check out the steps below and check out our guide to dealing with morning sickness.

To prevent and treat nausea during pregnancy, try:

Home or natural remedies
Avoid foods and smells that cause nausea.
Keep soda crackers near your bed and eat a few before you get up. Give some time for digestion and get up slowly as soon as you are ready.
Eat more frequent small meals throughout the day instead of three large meals.
Drink less water/fluids with meals and drink them between meals instead.
Eat drier, simpler foods like white rice, dry toast, or baked potatoes instead of fatty, fatty foods.
Sucks lollipops.
Keep rooms well ventilated or keep a fan nearby to help you breathe easier. If none of these solutions are possible, take the time to get outside for some fresh air.
Enough time to rest; Listen to your body when you feel tired and try to lie down.
Smell ginger or lemons, or drink ginger ale or lemonade, which can relieve nausea.
Talk to your doctor about the prenatal vitamins you are taking; excess iron can cause nausea, and changing vitamins may help.
Ask your doctor about taking vitamin B-6 supplements, which have been shown to reduce nausea and vomiting.

Prescription cure for nausea

Many women find that natural or home remedies do not work for them. Some relief may be felt, but it may not be as strong as we would like. The good news is that you can talk to your doctor about getting a prescription specifically for nausea.

Concerns about nausea during pregnancy

If you suffer from severe nausea and vomiting and the above treatments don't help, see your doctor for other suggestions. While nausea during pregnancy can be normal, it can also indicate a problem that needs to be addressed.

The following are examples of potential conditions associated with severe nausea:

Hyperemesis gravidarum, a disease in which you lose essential nutrients needed during pregnancy.

A molar pregnancy that occurs when an abnormal growth of tissue develops in the uterus.