Pregnancy nausea: where does it come from?
The main culprit: the HcG hormone
Early in pregnancy, hormones are in full swing, especially chorionic gonadotropin hormone, which you may know as the HcG hormone. It begins to be secreted during implantation, and it is this which will cause a pretty cross to appear on your pregnancy test. Its role is essential, since it ensures the maintenance of the corpus luteum, responsible for the production of estrogen and progesterone so that this small embryo remains well implanted.
Its rate doubles every two to three days, until the end of the first trimester. It will then decrease drastically. But before that, it will possibly make life difficult for future mothers, since it is also mainly responsible for morning sickness.
We talk about morning sickness because many women feel it when they wake up or after breakfast, but this is not systematic. They can also appear in the evening, or occur at any time of the day, be triggered by a particular smell , be accompanied or not by vomiting... and you may also be one of the lucky ones who will not experience them at all. Each pregnancy is unique, but be aware that you are more likely to have nausea if you had it during your previous pregnancy, or if your mother had it too. And yes, nausea is hereditary!
What to keep in mind? In most cases, they go away on their own by the start of the second trimester, when HcG levels drop. It is common to return to nausea at the end of pregnancy, as the baby approaches. These are due to acid reflux and digestion problems that pregnant women may experience at this stage – which is completely normal because this round belly tends to compress the stomach and esophagus!
Hyperemesis gravidarum, a real pathology
Morning sickness is completely normal, and there is no need to worry as long as it does not prevent you from eating and you do not lose weight. If they intensify to the point of impacting your daily activities, if you vomit many times a day, or if weight loss is noticeable, you should consult a doctor: perhaps you are suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum. This serious form of pregnancy nausea is a real pathology which manifests itself by violent and uncontrollable nausea and vomiting, so much so that it sometimes requires hospitalization.
Rest assured, morning sickness has no impact on the health of the fetus : it is often just a bad moment to go through and soon you will be able to fully enjoy your pregnancy. While waiting to pass this milestone, you can adopt new daily habits to limit their occurrence and soothe them.
What solutions to calm morning sickness?
Adapt your diet
Nausea is often triggered by certain foods or smells. Avoid eating foods that are too fatty or too sweet, spicy dishes, and favor light dishes that are easy to digest, such as vegetables, fruits, steamed fish, purees, etc. And that’s good, these are precisely the foods you need to be in great shape during your pregnancy, and to help the fetus grow well!
Split your meals
If you feel nauseous, consider splitting your meals and eating small quantities regularly: it is better to avoid going on an empty stomach. So, having several small snacks throughout the day rather than having 3 large meals can be a good idea. You can regularly snack on a biscuit, a rusk or toast as a preventative measure :)
Rest and avoid stress
It is proven that fatigue and stress increase the feeling of nausea and vomiting. This is a good reason to rest and delegate certain tasks at home.
On the other hand, avoid lying down immediately after eating, and wait 30 minutes to an hour before taking a nap so that it has a real “anti-nausea” effect!
Vitamin B6
Taking vitamin B6 would be a very good way to limit pregnancy nausea. Although it is widely prescribed for this purpose in many countries, it is still relatively little prescribed in France (2). Do not hesitate to talk to your doctor.
Testing natural remedies
Certain plants, such as ginger , are known for their anti-nausea properties. You can consume it fresh, in capsules or as a drink. Nausea Saver, our anti-nausea pregnancy herbal tea is a great ally to help you feel better. Its composition is perfect for mom, and safe for baby: ginger, verbena, cocoa peels, orange peels, cardamom, all 100% organic. It relieves nausea and improves the comfort of pregnant women: 91% of future mothers who tested it noted an improvement. You can drink 1 to 3 cups per day, as soon as nausea occurs, or for prevention.
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16,90 € - Regular price
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And if nothing works...
Know that there are medications – harmless to babies – that can reduce nausea and help you cope better with it. Do not hesitate to talk to your gynecologist or midwife who will be able to prescribe them to you, and thus allow you to experience a more peaceful start to your pregnancy!
(2) https://www.em-consulte.com/article/1395696/place-de-la-vitamine-b6%C2%A0dans-le-traitement-des-nau
