Nausea and vomiting are very common events that accompany a woman when she is in an interesting position. Most often, they arise precisely at an early stage of pregnancy, although there are exceptions when these processes continue to torment pregnant women throughout the entire period of gestation. As a rule, on the issue of vomiting during pregnancy, you should not worry especially, since the nauseous state goes away on its own. But there are situations when the process gets out of control: then you need to sound the alarm and seek medical help.
Why do nausea and vomiting occur during pregnancy?
The reason for such unpleasant sensations as vomiting and nausea is the fact that the female body is trying to adapt to its new state. The fact is that the moment of formation of a full-fledged placenta of the fetus occurs only in the ninth week, and ends at about the sixteenth. Before its occurrence, all the decay products that were formed as a result of the child’s life enter the mother’s bloodstream, poison it and cause constant bouts of vomiting and nausea.
In addition, during pregnancy, a rather abrupt change in the hormonal background of a woman occurs, the feelings of which are very aggravated at this moment. Therefore, absolutely any smell can cause a nauseous condition or an attack of vomiting.
When these unpleasant attacks begin
Vomiting during pregnancy is a common and normal occurrence. Attacks of nausea usually occur in the morning. Less often in the afternoon or evening. In women, vomiting begins during pregnancy for a period of 5-6 weeks and usually lasts for the next 8-10 weeks.
What can a woman's body react to in such an unpleasant way? It can be the smell of food or something else (for example, soap or perfume), overwork, psycho-emotional overstrain or excitement. Nausea and vomiting, which are usually accompanied by loss of appetite and excessive salivation, are called toxicosis.
On a note! Statistics say that if a mother suffered from toxicosis during pregnancy, then, most likely, her daughter “as a present” will get exactly the same problem in the future: you cannot argue with a genetic predisposition.
Toxicosis
Toxicosis during pregnancy (vomiting is its vivid confirmation) is divided into:
- Easy. In this type of toxicosis, vomiting attacks can be repeated during the day about 4-5 times. Most often this happens either immediately after a meal or in the morning. If these emetic attacks are not accompanied by loss of appetite and working capacity, dizziness, weight loss and general weakness, then medical professionals consider them to be completely safe for the health of the baby and his mother. Such phenomena that pass by themselves at the beginning of the 11-15th week can be corrected simply by nutrition, and no treatment is required.
- Average. With this type of toxicosis, the number of seizures is already increasing up to 10 times a day. Attacks, accompanied by a slight weight loss (while the general condition of the woman is satisfactory), are repeated constantly throughout the day. It is possible to counteract moderate toxicosis with herbal preparations (for example, using an extract of artichoke or chamomile); adjustment of nutrition; in some cases, by intravenous injection of glucose or by taking antiemetic drugs (only as directed by a doctor).
- Heavy. In this type of toxicosis, vomiting attacks are repeated more than 10 times a day. In this case, there is a significant deterioration in the general condition of the pregnant woman (she is losing weight rapidly, kidneys are deteriorating, certain changes are taking in urine and blood tests, signs of dehydration appear), which constantly vomits (not only during the day, but also at night). It’s definitely impossible to do without the intervention of doctors: the expectant mother should be under their close supervision in a hospital setting.
Toxicosis during the first trimester of pregnancy
Vomiting during pregnancy in the early stages (especially in the morning) can be accompanied by other factors indicating the presence of early toxicosis, which is observed in the first three months of pregnancy:
- Tachycardia, that is, a violation of the heart rhythm.
- General weakness.
- An increase, sometimes significant, in body temperature.
- Rapid weight loss (about 4-5 kg in 7-8 days).
- The appearance of a depressive state, turning into complete apathy.
- Lowering blood pressure.
- Dehydration.
On a note! Vomiting during pregnancy is not a mandatory “measure”. It may not be. In this case, it remains only to envy the pregnant women and wish them all the best. Well what can I say: some are lucky. So, those who believe that vomiting is a sign of pregnancy without fail are mistaken. It's not like that at all.
It turns out that some women “adequately experience” hormonal changes (that is, the active production of progesterone by the ovaries) in their body. In others, this hormone relaxes the walls of the uterus and, as a result, causes a nauseous state and bouts of vomiting.
Attention! If, in combination with vomiting during pregnancy in the early stages, diarrhea is also observed, then it is quite possible that these are signs of either toxic infection or food poisoning. Both that and another promises nothing good. Call an ambulance right away.
Vomiting during pregnancy with bile
Sometimes in the early stages, vomiting with bile can be observed (most often in the morning, when there is no food in the stomach). The presence of such attacks signals the development of inflammation of the gallbladder (cholecystitis); disease of the liver, duodenum; as well as inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis).
Important! At the first attacks of this kind, you must urgently consult a doctor.
Toxicosis in the late term of bearing a baby
As a rule, during the second trimester, attacks of vomiting and a state of nausea gradually decrease to zero. But immediately before childbirth, these unpleasant phenomena can again remind of themselves. What is the reason for such inconstancy? It is quite simple and banal - this is overeating. Yes, yes, that’s it. The fact is that at these stages of pregnancy the woman’s uterus is already of decent size and presses not only on the stomach, but also on other internal organs. Therefore, if the stomach is full, and pressure is exerted on it, naturally, this leads to vomiting and a state of nausea. Most often, such situations do not require any treatment.
Advice! Follow the diet and the regime of food intake - and everything will be in order. By the way, do not show physical activity immediately after eating.
If the woman does not overeat, and late toxicosis is evident - this may signal the presence of gestosis, preeclampsia or acetone in the body.
Important! It is absolutely not worthwhile to conceal such problems from your doctor, as it can lead to serious complications and problems.
What is preeclampsia and preeclampsia?
Gestosis (or late toxicosis) is a rather serious complication characteristic of the third trimester of pregnancy. The disease significantly affects the work of the brain, kidneys and blood vessels of the future mother. Its main signs are the presence of protein in the analysis of urine (which is accompanied by severe edema) and an increase in blood pressure (which manifests itself in the form of impaired vision, vomiting during pregnancy, and headache). Very often preeclampsia begins at week 35 (mainly in women bearing their first-born) and less often at week 21. In case of late toxicosis (i.e., seizures, oxygen deficiency or coma), urgent hospitalization is required.
On a note! The closer to the expected date of birth gestosis began, the better the prognosis for cure. Often, doctors resort to cesarean section or stimulation of preterm delivery.
What is the danger of this disease for the baby? It inevitably leads to a delay in the development of the fetus, and is also the cause of intrauterine hypoxia (i.e., lack of oxygen). Consequences - the lag of the child not only in mental, but also in physical development.
Preeclampsia is characterized by the same phenomena as gestosis, only on an enlarged scale. So far, experts cannot say with absolute accuracy what is causing this disease. One thing is certain that women who have a weakened immune system and high blood pressure are exposed to it.
Vomiting blood
Vomiting during pregnancy with blood is an extremely dangerous condition that requires immediate hospitalization and surgical care. The presence of blood in the vomit may indicate a stomach ulcer or duodenal ulcer, as well as bleeding in the mouth or esophagus.
Fighting Attacks
If vomiting occurs during pregnancy, what should you do? Perhaps the following recommendations will help improve the situation, or at least alleviate your condition:
- You need to eat often (every 2-3 hours), but in small quantities (a guideline for you - the portion should fit in the palm of your hand).
- Food should be warm, not hot.
- In the morning, you should eat only those foods that do not provoke bouts of vomiting and nausea. Someone, pursuing these goals, eats fresh fruits; others are sticky cereal; and the third is sweet tea with brown bread. Everything is very individual. Therefore, there can be no single recommendations.
- Do not skip breakfast (it is better right in bed), as it most often "stirs up" on an empty stomach.
- After eating, lie down a bit.
- Be sure to replenish the water balance in the body, that is, to compensate for all lost fluid, as well as potassium. Therefore, you need to drink plenty of water (in small portions) and include in the diet products that include potassium (for example, dried apricots, figs, bananas, potatoes, raisins or persimmons). The best option may be dried fruit compote.
- It is recommended in the morning to include in the diet foods rich in protein (for example, eggs, cheese or "sour milk") and carbohydrates (for example, fruits).
- Absolutely definitely need to abandon fatty, spicy, sweet, fried and canned foods.
- Ventilate your home more often.
- Spend more time outdoors.
- Try to ignore possible stressful situations, as only positive emotions will help.
- Always have with you something that can help you cope with a sharp attack of vomiting (for example, apples, water with lemon, dried fruits, a decoction of chamomile, nuts or mint sweets).
- Periodically throughout the day you need to drink a few sips of tea with lemon, mint or lemon balm.
- You can take antiemetic medications (for example, "Cerucal" or "Metoclopramide"), but this should be done only in exceptional cases and strictly as directed by the doctor.
All this can be done if bouts of vomiting are not signs of a dangerous pathology: therefore, your doctor should be aware of all your problems.
Important! Should I induce vomiting artificially, wanting to alleviate my condition? Keep in mind that such actions can lead to a significant increase in blood pressure, bleeding in the esophagus or stomach.
Tea with mint or lemon balm
Tea with mint or lemon balm is an excellent folk remedy for the treatment of debilitating early toxicosis and flatulence. You can use it only after consulting with your doctor. The composition of herbs includes a large number of vitamins, they also have anti-allergenic, antibacterial and antiviral properties, which are also very important. It is recommended to drink a cup of healing tea with mint or lemon balm half an hour before bedtime.
Important! Pregnant women who have certain kidney problems (for example, urolithiasis) should not drink tea with mint or lemon balm.
Tea with lemon
A lemon slice in the morning can save you from bouts of vomiting and a nauseous state all day. Tea with this citrus is also a good prevention of unpleasant phenomena. Moreover, drinking this drink is not forbidden at all during the period of carrying the baby, since the lemon contains a huge amount of ascorbic acid. It is vitamin C that helps to increase immunity, thereby increasing the mother's resistance to various infectious diseases.
First emergency ambulance
Before the ambulance arrives, in order to somehow alleviate the condition of a pregnant woman, you can do the following:
- Lay the future mom (or seat him) so that in case of loss of consciousness she does not fall and does not hurt herself.
- Give her a drink of ordinary clean (filtered) water or sweet weak tea.
- With increased pressure, give medications that normalize it.
Finally
Despite everything that happens during pregnancy (vomiting in the morning and, possibly, in the evening, nervous changes, weakness, and much more), this is the most wonderful period in the life of any woman. A lot can be overcome in anticipation of the birth of a new person.