| Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy |
| What Causes it?
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The exact cause is not understood. Nausea in pregnancy may
related to sensitivity to increased levels of estrogen, or other
hormones, or changes in the way the body uses carbohydrates. Fatigue and
emotional factors may also play a role in some women. The hormonal
changes of pregnancy can cause your digestion to slow down which may
contribute to nausea. A recent study "Hyperemesis
gravidarum associated with Helicobacter pylori seropositivity"
in Obstetrics and Gynecology (1998: April:91 (4): 615-7 (ISSN:
0029-7844) suggests that Hyperemesis Gravidarum, a medical name for
severe nausea and vomiting of pregnancy suggests that infection with
Helicobacter pylori is associated with Hyperemesis. Ninety-five of
105 patients with hyperemesis gravidarum had positive serum IgG
concentrations compared with 60 of 129 controls.
|
| Timing |
| If nausea and vomiting are experienced, it
usually occurs in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Some women
have symptoms up until 20 weeks. Symptoms can vary from mild
queasiness to vomiting, and may occur at any time during the
day. |
|
Prevention and Relief
|
| Eat small meals frequently which are high in
carbohydrate and protein., Eat every one to two hours while
awake and keep an snack by the bed. |
| Lie down when symptoms appear. |
| Try eating dry toast or crackers when you
arise. |
| Don't eat fatty or spicy foods. |
| Salty foods or lemon smells may help settle
your stomach. Ask yourself what will make you feel better:
something crunchy, salty, sour, fruity or sweet, and eat it.
Don't worry about perfect nutrition right now. |
| Avoid getting over-tired. |
| Keep track of situations and factors that
trigger nausea so that you can avoid those things. Odors, sudden
motion, or even busy patterns can serve as triggers. |
| Use acupressure: Look at your wrist on the
palmer side. Locate the crease furthest from your hand between
your hand and wrist. Measure two thumb widths up from this
crease, and press in the middle of your wrist at this spot.
There is an acupressure point here, which if stimulated for
several seconds, relieves nausea and motion sickness in most
people. If you have the point, you should feel a distinct twinge
when you stimulate it. You may use it several times a day. |
| Try 50-100 mg. Vitamin B-6 twice a day. |
| Herbs: Sips of mint tea , raspberry leaf tea,
ginger root, anise or fennel may help. |
| Try sucking on candied ginger. |
| Wild yam
tincture may be used in a glass of water or mint tea twice a day
(1 dropperful). |
| Homeopathic
remedies: Ipecac 30x, Nux vomica 6x, Cannibus 30x have been used
by some women with success. |
| Relaxation, visualization, or self-hypnosis
may help. |
|
| What to Avoid and possible Danger Signs |
| Do not take any medication without first contacting
your midwife or other care provider. |
| Danger signs: Call your OB Caregiver. |
| Prolonged nausea and vomiting, longer than 24
hour |
| Inability to keep any food or fluids down. |
| Severe pain in any part of your body |
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