Nausea can be a very uncomfortable experience for pregnant women. For some, it’s just a food aversion and for others, it may feel like periodic queasiness. In the former, pregnant women can experience a strong reaction to specific smells while in the latter they can feel like puking anytime during the day. However, nausea is quite common and completely normal during pregnancy. In few cases, vomiting can be severe enough to require hospitalisation.
Why does it happen?
The root cause of nausea is still unknown but there are some factors like pregnancy hormones, a heightened sense of smell, and a sensitive digestive system that can play a role. Nausea generally starts by the fifth or sixth week and usually disappears during the second trimester. Also, nutrition for pregnant women is extremely crucial in the pregnancy journey, and can also help alleviate the symptoms of nausea.
What you can do to treat your nausea naturally?
You can follow the below-mentioned ways to get rid of your nausea naturally, but if the problem still persists, consider a visit to your doctor.
Eat small and more frequent meals
An empty stomach can worsen the feeling of nausea. Try to eat frequent and small meals in between to keep your nausea in control. Keep some snacks beside your bed, so you can have them in between meals.
Eat ginger
According to multiple research, ginger is a superfood for an upset stomach. You can incorporate ginger in your daily diet in a variety of ways like ginger tea, ginger chews, ginger ale and many more.
Skip specific foods
There are certain foods that can worsen your nausea during pregnancy like greasy food, fatty food, sweets, spicy food etc. Instead of that, try to consume high protein, carbohydrate, low-fat foods. If you have developed an aversion to certain food smells or taste, avoid those. A dietitian also plays a very crucial role here by providing an appropriate diet for pregnant women.
Stay away from strong smells
Another major trigger of nausea is strong smells. Try to stay away from perfumes, smoke, chemicals or anything you might find uncomfortable.
Give aromatherapy a try
Just like some smells are triggers, some smells are a relief as well. Try scented oils like mint, lemon and orange to combat nausea in a natural way. You can keep a scented oil diffuser in a corner of your room.
Timings of prenatal vitamins are crucial
The iron present in your prenatal vitamins can increase nausea. To resolve this, you can change the timings of your dosage. Try to take your vitamins before bedtime instead of an empty stomach in the morning.
Start exercising
Exercise can be a great way to alleviate nausea. You can join prenatal yoga or go for a walk whenever you feel uncomfortable. But it’s highly suggested to consult a health care provider before going for any strenuous exercises.
When you should see your doctor?
Some pregnant women suffer from an extreme condition called Hyperemesis Gravidarum in which they can experience continuous vomiting and severe dehydration. The symptoms of this are as follows:
- Extreme dehydration
- Vomiting multiple times a day
- Excessive Weight loss
- Abdominal or pelvic pain
If you are experiencing these above-mentioned symptoms, then call your prenatal healthcare and seek the necessary help. The importance of a nutrient-rich diet cannot be overlooked when you are trying to take control of your nausea. You can contact Kanupriya Khanna, a senior consultant Nutritionist and Dietitian with over 17 years of work experience in pre and post-natal health for the best advice on nutrition for a healthy pregnancy.
