Pregnancy Nausea

Posted on Jul 13, 2011 | Articles Category | | Print This Article

Pregnancy nausea usually happens in up to 80% of newly pregnant women. Most women would be happy if the pregnancy nausea only occured in the morning, but many pregnant women experience pregnancy nausea all through the day. Most women start experiencing morning sickness between 4 and 6 weeks. The nausea usually ends around the 14th to the 16th week of pregnancy when the hCG levels start decreasing. While it would be wonderful to say that all women will be done in that time frame, some women will have to endure pregnancy nausea all through out their pregnancy.

What Causes Pregnancy Nausea?

There is no definitive answer as to what causes pregnancy nausea, but the theories seem to indicate that it is a combination of rapid hormonal changes occuring in a pregnant woman’s body.

The very quick rise in hCG (the pregnancy hormone) and estrogen play a part in the appearance of pregnancy nausea. As the hormones start decreasing in your system, around the 14th week, the pregnancy nausea also starts to decrease.

What Can I Do To Relieve My Pregnancy Nausea?

Unfortunately, there is no one tried and true method that will relieve everyone’s case of morning sickness. The only way to find what works for you is by trial and error. Below you will find ideas which you can try:

Vitamin B6 – 50 mg. daily. Vitamin B6 has been shown to help with pregnancy induced nausea. There are also products available now which contain therapeutic doses of Vitamin B6. One is B-Natal TheraPops are cherry flavored lollipops which have been shown to reduce pregnancy morning sickness. Another Vitamin B-6 enriched product is called Morning Sickness Magic. Morning Sickness Magic is a herbal remedy containing Ginger, Vitamin B-6, Red Raspberry Leaf and Folic Acid.

• Ginger in capsules form 250 mg. three times daily can be beneficial. Ginger has long been associated with alleviating nausea. You can also get the benefit of using ginger by chewing on crystallized ginger or sucking on ginger hard candies.
• Avoid warm places as heat can increase the nausea feelings.
• Take naps during the day (but not right after eating). Tiredness plays a big part in morning sickness.
• Get enough sleep at night.
• Get out of bed slowly in the morning.
• Try eating plain crackers or dry cereal before you get out of bed in the morning.
• Open windows or turn on exhaust fans when cooking and after meals.
• Cooking in the microwave usually produces less odors.
• Silly as it sounds, carry a handkerchief with a few drops of a non nausea causing essential oil (lemon for example) in it and breath through it if you can’t get away from the smell that is bothering you.
• Avoid greasy or spicy foods as they often cause nausea or heartburn.
• Eat what you want when you want it. Your cravings will not lead you the wrong way.
• Have frequent protein snacks. (Low fat meats and seafood, nuts, eggs and beans are high protein.)
• Eat smaller meals every two hours or so.
• Eating something salty before a meal can help you “make it through” a meal.
• Do not drink fluids with your meals.
• Non caffeinated teas like peppermint and ginger can help came nausea.
• Drink small amounts of fluids regularly though out the day to avoid dehydration.
• Do not skip meals if you can help it.
• Avoid spicy and fried food – both eating and smelling it can increase your nausea.
• Cold food may have less nausea inducing smells associated with them.

Doctor Prescribed Medications for Severe Pregnancy Nausea

If the pregnancy nausea you are experiencing is severe enough, your doctor may prescribe medication that will offer you morning sickness relief. If you have morning sickness where you are unable to keep food or water down for any length of time, PLEASE talk to your doctor to see what can be done. Extensive weight loss / dehydration can be harmful to both mom and baby. Your doctor will be able to evaluate your situation and health profile and decide which medication will be most helpful in giving you morning sickness relief. The medications prescribed are administered in three different ways depending on the severity of the morning sickness and the medication: orally, intravenously, and in suppository format.

For an extensive listing of the medications which can be prescribed for severe morning sickness relief, please visit Hyperemesis.org.