Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy
More than half of all pregnant women suffer from nausea and vomiting during their pregnancy. Since each woman is different and each pregnancy is different, the severity of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP) will vary from woman to woman.
What causes NVP?
No one knows exactly what causes the nausea of pregnancy. Most researchers believe it’s a combination of the many physical changes taking place in your body such as the higher levels of hormones during early pregnancy.
How long will morning sickness last?
Nausea and vomiting usually begin around the 6th week of pregnancy. Although common in the morning, “morning sickness” can actually happen at any time of the day.
For 80% of sufferers, this condition stops around the 12th week of pregnancy although queasiness can come and go throughout pregnancy. The other 20% will suffer from nausea and vomiting for a longer period of time. Some women may even have the condition until the end of their pregnancy.
Most women who suffer from NVP will see their condition interfere with usual daily activities. Many will have to change their schedule in some way in order to cope with their condition.
The health effects of Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy
Most cases of nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy aren’t harmful to the mother and her unborn child. While short-term dietary deficiencies do not appear to have any harmful effects on pregnancy outcome, severe and persistent NVP symptoms can affect your health.
For most women, the feelings of nausea and the episodes of vomiting decrease at some point during the day so that they feel hungry again and can keep food down. However, if you are so sick that you are missing meals day after day; your baby may not be getting all the daily nutrients to grew as healthy as he or she can.
What if I just can’t keep anything down?
About 1% of pregnant women in Canada (some 4.000 women per year) will suffer from excessive vomiting in pregnancy called “hyperemesis gravidarum”. In such cases, the lack of food, fluids and nutrients may be harmful to their health and well-being of their baby. If left untreated, severe cases of NVP can lead to dehydration.
Dehydration happens when the body does not have as many fluids as it should. This may be caused by losing too many fluids or not drinking enough. Severe cases of dehydration may require intravenous fluids and vitamin supplementation from the hospital. Seek medical attention if you suffer from signs of dehydration such as infrequent urination or dark yellow urine. NVP can be difficult to control; the sooner you are diagnosed and begin treatment, the more likely you will be able to avoid severe symptoms.
Helpful tips to control nausea and vomiting
Diet-food
4When you first wake up, eat a few crackers and then rest for 15 minutes before getting out of bed.
4Get up slowly and do not lie down right after eating.
4Eat small meals or snacks often so your stomach does not become empty (for example, every 2 hours). Try not to skip meals.
4Do not hesitate to eat whatever you want to. However, it is best to avoid cooking or eating spicy, fatty and fried foods.
4If cooking odours bother you, open the windows and turn on the stove fan. If possible, ask someone else to cook the meals.
4Try eating cold food instead of hot (cold food may not smell as strong as hot food).
4Sniffing lemons or ginger can sometimes relieve an upset stomach.
4Eating salty potato chips can help settle the stomach enough to eat a meal.
Diet – Drinks
4Drink small amounts of fluids frequently during the day.
4Avoid drinking fluids during meals and immediately before or after a meal.
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Food Ideas to Help Relieve Nausea
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Salty |
Chip, pretzels |
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Tart/Sweet |
Pickles, lemonade |
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Earthy |
Brown rice, mushroom soup, peanut butter |
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Crunchy |
Celery sticks, apple slices, nuts |
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Bland |
Mashed potatoes, gelatin, broth |
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Soft |
Bread, noodles |
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Sweet |
Cake, sugary cereals |
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Fruity |
Fruity popsicles, watermelon |
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Liquid |
Juice, seltzer, sparkling water, ginger ale |
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Dry |
Crackers |
Lifestyle – Rest
4Get plenty of rest since nausea tends to worsen when a woman is tired. Try napping during the day. Typically, a pregnant woman needs more sleep in the first three months of pregnancy.
4You may need to take some time off work or make other arrangements for household chores and childcare.
4Enlist the support of friends and family.
Lifestyle – Other
4Get plenty of fresh air and avoid warm places as feeling hot can add to nausea.
4Acupressure wrist bands or acupuncture can be beneficial for some women. If you are considering acupuncture, consult your healthcare professional and look for an experienced and licensed acupuncturist.
4Try ginger, an alternative remedy thought to settle the stomach. Dosages of up to 250 mg four times a day appear to be safe.
4Try taking your prenatal vitamins (one with a lower amount of iron if that mineral makes your nausea worse) with food or just before bed. If multivitamins make your nausea worse, take folic acid alone on a daily basis.
Note: so called “natural products” are often used under the assumption that they are safe. However, the safety and effectiveness of these treatments have not yet been proven and it is important to note that very few of these products have been properly studied in pregnancy. Ask your healthcare provider before taking herbal remedies.
Medications
Although it is generally wise to stay away over-the-counter medications during pregnancy, there is a safe and effective prescription medication that can help women when nausea and vomiting affect their well-being and daily activities.
You can ask your doctor about safe and effective treatment.
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