What helps feeling sick during pregnancy

What helps feeling sick during pregnancy
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Most women will not experience excessive vomiting, but many will have some discomfort due to nausea.

Here are some tips for minimizing the unpleasant symptoms of nausea during pregnancy.

1) Get plenty of rest

It is important to get a good night´s sleep. Napping during the day may help too, but not straight after a meal, as this can increase nausea.

For those who work night shifts, it may help to wear a sleep mask or use blackout curtains to block out as much light as possible.

As time goes on and the body changes shape, a maternity body pillow may help your back and abdomen.

Go to bed early and wake up early, so you can take time to get out of bed.

Do not use sleeping pills unless a doctor prescribes them.

2) Eat with care

Fatty and spicy foods and caffeine increase the chance of triggering the release of stomach acid, especially as the pregnancy progresses and the fetus pushes against the digestive tract. Bland foods may be less aggravating.

Small portion sizes can help reduce the chance of vomiting but keep something in the stomach. Having an empty stomach can worsen the feelings of nausea. The stomach produces acids, but they have nothing to work on, except for the stomach lining. This adds to the feelings of nausea.

Having some salty crackers or a protein snack before getting out of bed in the morning may help.

At breakfast, cold apple sauce, pears, bananas or any citrus fruit will help you feel satisfied early. The fruit’s potassium may help prevent morning sickness.

Carbohydrates can help. Baked potatoes, rice, and dry toast are often suitable options.

At night, eating a high-protein snack before going to bed will help regulate your blood-glucose levels during the night.

Eat food cold to reduce the smells experienced when eating.

3) Keep physically and mentally active

Being physically active has been found to improve symptoms in women who experience nausea during pregnancy.

Keeping busy can help take your mind off the feelings of nausea. Reading a book, doing puzzles, watching television, playing cards, or going for short walks around the block will help to keep you preoccupied.

4) Ensure good fluid intake

It is important to stay hydrated for good health, especially during pregnancy.

It may be hard to consume eight glasses of water a day while experiencing nausea, but dehydration can aggravate feelings of nausea.

Adding apple cider vinegar and honey to water may make it more palatable.

Sucking ice cubes made from water or fruit juice is also an effective method.

5) Ginger and peppermint teas

Ginger has long been used to aid digestion and reduce abdominal discomfort. Studies show that it may also help relieve the symptoms of nausea.

Other options are to sip cold ginger ale or to add a slice of raw ginger to water or tea.

Snacks such as gingerbread, or ginger cookies may also help.

Peppermint tea may also help settle the stomach.

6) Wear loose and comfortable clothing

Restrictive or tight clothing may worsen the symptoms of nausea. Women who experience nausea during pregnancy have fewer symptoms of nausea when they wear loose-fitting clothes.

7) Vitamins and supplements

Supplements should only be used under a doctor’s supervision. If you are taking vitamins, it may be best to take them before bed and with a snack.

Vitamin B6 may help reduce nausea.

Iron supplements that are prescribed during pregnancy can sometimes lead to nausea. A doctor may recommend a slower-release form or a lower dosage. Take iron supplements with orange juice or another drink with Vitamin C to increase absorption.

8) Avoid computer monitor flicker

A computer monitor flickers rapidly and almost unnoticeably. This may contribute to morning sickness.

If it is not possible to avoid using a computer monitor, it may help to adjust the screen by making the fonts bold and larger and changing the background to a soft tan or pink color. This will help reduce eye strain.

9) Avoid triggers

Morning sickness is linked to an increased sensitivity to smell.

Some strong smells can worsen the symptoms, but scents such as lemon extract and rosemary may help.

An individual will learn to recognize which triggers bring on an episode of nausea, and they can avoid these as far as possible.

10) Help for acid reflux

Sometimes, the nausea and vomiting may be due to acid reflux.

A doctor may be able to recommend antacid medication to take before going to bed to reduce stomach acid levels, and the subsequent morning vomiting.

Always check with a doctor before taking any medication during pregnancy.

Alternative therapies such as acupressure may help. Applying pressure on specific points on the body may help control symptoms. It may involve wearing a motion-sickness band on the forearm.

The feelings of nausea do not happen only in the morning. Most women find they ease as the day goes on, but, for some women, they may continue all day.

Nausea during pregnancy is normally associated with an increase in estrogen levels, low blood sugar counts, and a greater susceptibility to some smells.

The exact reason is unknown, but factors may include:

  • a rise in hormones, especially estrogen, progesterone, human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG), and cholecystokinin, leading to changes in digestive activity
  • a fall in blood sugar, resulting from the placenta’s need for energy

Another theory on what contributes to nausea in early pregnancy is related to the sense of smell. A woman’s sense of smell is more sensitive in pregnancy, and this could increase the feelings of nausea.

It is most likely to occur during the first 3 months of pregnancy, and it often subsides once into the second trimester.

Research has suggested that nausea and vomiting during pregnancy are a good sign, and they are associated with a lower risk of pregnancy loss.

Excessive vomiting during pregnancy is known as hyperemesis gravidarum. It can lead to dehydration, malnutrition, and weight loss.

It affects around 1 in every 300 women during pregnancy, usually only during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy.

A woman should see a doctor if:

  • she loses more than 2 pounds in weight
  • she vomits blood, which may be red or black
  • she vomits more than four times in one day
  • she is unable to keep fluids down for more than one day

The doctor may recommend dietary changes, plenty of rest and the use of antacids. In severe cases, the patient may need to receive fluids and nutrition intravenously.

The American Pregnancy Association (APA) suggest eating:

  • Cold foods
  • Plain fruits and vegetables
  • Bland foods, such as chicken soup

As snacks, the APA recommend:

  • pretzels
  • Jell-O
  • flavoured popsicles
  • Preggie Pops, a kind of candy in different flavors such as mint, lemon, and ginger, designed to reduce the sensation of nausea

Medications are not recommended as they may have unexpected adverse effects during pregnancy. Speak to a doctor about non-medicinal remedies for morning sickness.

Nausea and vomiting can be common during pregnancy. Most people call it 'morning sickness'. 

But feeling sick or vomiting can happen at any time of the day or night. Some women find it lasts all day.

Nausea and vomiting happens because of hormonal changes in your body. It can be particularly common during the first 3 months.

It can be unpleasant and exhausting. But it doesn't mean that there is anything wrong with your pregnancy. It usually clears up by 16 to 20 weeks.

There is no cure for morning sickness. But there are things you can do to help with the symptoms.

If your morning sickness causes you problems, talk to your GP, midwife or obstetrician. They might recommend some safe medications that may ease symptoms. You may have to go to hospital if your sickness is severe.

Severe morning sickness (hyperemesis gravidarum)

Hyperemesis gravidarum is a more severe form of morning sickness.

About 2 out of every 100 women will get severe morning sickness. 98 out of 100 women will not.

You're more likely to have severe morning sickness if you:

  • have a family history of bad morning sickness
  • had severe morning sickness during a previous pregnancy
  • are expecting twins, triplets or more
  • suffer from migraines
  • get bad motion sickness
  • used to get sick if you took contraception containing oestrogen
  • are having a molar pregnancy - this is when some of the cells that form the placenta or afterbirth grow abnormally (this is rare)

There are support groups for women who have severe morning sickness. You can find a support group near you on the Hyperemesis Ireland website.

Hyperemesis gravidarum

Symptoms of morning sickness

Symptoms of morning sickness include:

  • nausea - the feeling that you need to be sick
  • being sick (vomiting)
  • losing weight
  • dehydration - if your sickness is severe

Dehydration

If you are losing fluids through vomiting you may become dehydrated. This can happen with morning sickness and severe morning sickness.

Signs of dehydration include:

  • having dark pee or peeing less often than normal
  • dryness in your mouth and lips
  • feeling faint, dizzy or unwell
  • your heart beating faster than usual

Staying hydrated

It's important to stay hydrated when you are feeling unwell.

Aim to drink 200ml of fluid  every hour for 10 hours. 200ml is about one glass.

Take small sips continuously rather than drinking it all at once. Drinking large amounts in one go can make you feel sick.

Your taste may change when you are pregnant. Try drinks you may not normally have.

If you are finding it hard to drink liquids try:

  • drinking through a straw
  • adding ice cubes to drinks
  • sucking ice cubes or ice lollies
  • flavoured drinks like watered-down fruit juice, fizzy drinks (or flat fizzy drinks), milk, flavoured milk, sports drinks or fruit cordials
  • eat foods with a high water content such as fruit, yogurt, jelly, soup, custard, ice-lollies

Talk to your GP, obstetrician or midwife immediately if you have lost weight or have any symptoms of dehydration. If you can't hold down fluids at any stage, go to the emergency department (ED) in your maternity hospital.

Get plenty of rest - being tired can make you feel worse.

If you have children at home, try to go to bed when they do.

Give yourself time to get out of bed if you feel sick in the mornings. Sit up slowly and wait a few minutes before standing. Moving very quickly can make you feel sick or dizzy.

Loud noises and bright lights can trigger sickness in some women. 

Eat small amounts often

It can be hard to eat a healthy diet when you are not feeling well. Don't worry if your diet isn’t the healthiest when you are sick.

Aim to eat little and often throughout the day. Eat enough to keep your energy levels up and prevent weight loss.

Things you can do

  • Nibble your favourite foods every 2 hours - long gaps without food will make nausea worse.
  • Dry and plain foods are easiest to tolerate, such as dry toast, biscuits, crackers, pasta, rice, dry cereal and cereal bars.
  • Bring some dry crackers to bed with you to eat when you wake. Wait about 15-20 minutes before slowly getting up after eating the crackers.
  • Keep your meals simple.
  • Have easy-to-prepare foods in the house, such as beans or ready made meals.
  • Eat foods that have lots of energy in a small amount, such as nuts, cheese, hummus, full-fat yogurt, avocado.
  • Eat more when you are hungry – do not wait for mealtimes.

Avoid food smells

Some cooking smells may make you feel sick. Having easily- prepared or ready-to eat foods in the house is useful so that you can avoid cooking.

When food is being cooked you could go out for a short walk, or sit in a different room with a window open.

To block out smells, try putting a scented handkerchief to your nose. Use a scent that you find soothing, like essential oil or fresh cut lemons.

Try ginger

Eating foods or drinks that contain ginger may help to reduce mild nausea and vomiting. Check with your pharmacist before taking a ginger supplement to make sure it's safe for your pregnancy. 

Take folic acid

Take folic acid at the time of the day you are feeling best.

Some women choose to take a multivitamin throughout their pregnancy. This can be difficult to take for some women while they are not feeling well.

Some brands have a liquid form of antenatal multivitamins. Sometimes this can be easier to take.

Folic acid when planning a pregnancy

Rinse your teeth after being sick

If you vomit, rinse your mouth out with water. Your teeth will be softened by your stomach acid, so do not brush straight away. Wait about an hour to brush your teeth.

Oral hygiene can be difficult when you have severe morning sickness. But it's important to look after your teeth and gums.

What helps feeling sick during pregnancy
This project has received funding from the Government of Ireland’s Sláintecare Integration Fund 2019 under Grant Agreement Number 8.