Nausea
Nausea is very common and is a normal phenomenon during pregnancy. Almost a third of pregnant women suffer from nausea and vomiting especially in the morning although it can happen at any time of the day. Nausea often starts around the first month of pregnancy and continues until the 14th or 16th week.
Some women are nauseous and vomit during the entire pregnancy. Nausea does not cause problems for the baby and it has been speculated that nausea may be a good sign the placenta is developing well. The degree of nausea is different with each pregnancy, it does not predict how you will feel in a possible next pregnancy.
Will it be a girl if you are very nauseous?
Reliable research among thousands of babies has shown that there's not any truth to this.
Reducing nausea
- Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6) appears to reduce nausea. Read on the packaging or ask the pharmacist how much and often you can take it.
- Dried ginger root and ginger tea. Studies indicate that ginger reduces nausea and vomiting in pregnant women. A dose of 250 mg is recommended, four times a day.
- Eat some biscuits or dry crackers in the morning when you wake up, and before you go to bed.
- Eat a small snack before going to bed, and possibly a small snack if you go to the toilet at night.
- Acupressure bracelets (sea bands) or acupuncture can help. If you want to have acupuncture ask a reliable address to your doctor.
- Do not drink caffeinated drinks.
- Avoid bingeing on food.
- Do not eat spiced food, or food that contains many flavor enhancers.
- Do not eat large meals. Eat something small every 2 hours and make sure you drink a lot.
- Do not smoke.
- First ask your doctor which medicines you can safely use.
- Steaming is better than baking.
- Drink between meals instead of during meals.
- Eat fruit and cooked vegetables between meals.
- Make sure your entire house is well ventilated. Do not leave any smelly food odours around.
- Lemon helps: drink lemonade, smell a lemon, or eat a piece of lemon.
- Peppermint, peppermint oil, or peppermint tea. It is also known that it gives you energy when you are in a dip.
- Drink your water and other juices with small sips
- Press firmly on your navel with two fingers, do this for about one minute. It can reduce nausea.
- Use a neutral natural toothpaste.
- Call the doctor if:
- the nausea does not pass, despite trying various remedies;
- your vomit is bloody or dark;
- you have lost more than one kilo;
- you vomit more than 3 times a day, and you can not keep food and liquids inside;
- you still suffer from nausea after 4 months of pregnancy. Although many women suffer from this, it is still good to have the doctor take a look.
Your doctor will examine you, including your stomach, and will look for dehydration symptoms. He or she can ask you the following:
- Are you only nauseous or do you also vomit?
- Are you sick every day and do you vomit every day?
- Does it last all day?
- Can you keep liquids and food inside?
- Have you traveled recently?
- Has your daily schedule changed recently?
- Do you suffer from stress?
- What do you eat?
- Do you smoke?
- What did you do to make you feel better?
- Do you have confirmation that you are pregnant?
- What other symptoms do you have? - headache, abdominal pain, sore breasts, dry mouth, a lot of thirst, weight loss?
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