Handling Nausea In Pregnancy
by Kmom
Copyright © 1996-1997 Kmom@Vireday.Com. All
rights reserved.
Good nutrition is extremely important before and during pregnancy. This is a critical issue, according to Dr. Tom Brewer and many others, who see poor nutrition implicated in a whole host of pregnancy complications, especially pre-eclampsia (also known as toxemia or Pregnancy Induced Hypertension/PIH). Since pre-eclampsia is one of the most common complications large women can face during pregnancy, it is absolutely vital that a pregnant woman pay strict attention to her nutrition throughout pregnancy. The authors of the 1996 JAMA journal articles on neural tube defects in babies of heavy women also speculate that nutritional factors may be involved, and some people feel that large swings in blood sugar during the pregnancies of vulnerable women may also contribute to development of gestational diabetes, another risk for the pregnancies of larger women. Therefore, exemplary nutrition is critical throughout pregnancy, and may be especially so for larger women, who may be entering pregnancy with poor eating habits or nutritional deficiencies from years of dieting (especially if they dieted just before pregnancy).
Unfortunately, nausea can interfere disastrously in the quest for sound nutrition, especially in the critical first trimester of pregnancy when the basic formation of all the baby's systems and organs are taking place. Just when you need terrific nutrition the most, you feel the sickest! Most women finish the nausea stage by the end of the first trimester, but some women experience it through the second trimester, and a few even have it for the whole pregnancy. It's a situation that is often ignored or downplayed by doctors. Many patients are left to deal with it on their own or given a pat on the back and told not to worry about it, the baby will take what it needs from mom anyway. They may be told that baby takes so little in the first trimester that any difference in mom's nutrition is not important; they may be encouraged to avoid certain categories of food or to just eat "when you feel up to it."
Dr. Brewer and others feel that this is a disastrous approach, and they strongly disagree with the idea that baby will adequately get what it needs from mother. They also feel that the poor nutrition resulting from this approach can often compromise the pregnancy later, and that this is poorly recognized among many members of the medical community. While some experts disagree, it is probably true that making an effort to keep nutrition as even and qualitative as possible is the most sensible, least-intervention approach. So make every effort to find a way to deal with the worst of the nausea, try to prevent the nausea from getting worse, and strive for good nutrition in spite of everything.
There is no simple cure for pregnancy nausea; what 'works' will vary from person to person greatly. It is a miserable time for many, and sometimes it's just a matter of outlasting and surviving the nausea while still keeping intact the best nutrition possible under the circumstances. A number of coping suggestions that have helped others will be offered here, but no one can guarantee that they will work for you. Most often it is a matter of trying to minimize the nausea you do experience until it goes away; don't believe anyone who promises you a sure cure! A certain amount of unpleasantness is just going to have to be endured if you are one of the unlucky who experience nausea. However, it is of the utmost importance that the nausea not be allowed to interfere with the good nutrition that is so vital in pregnancy. This cannot be stressed enough. If you are one of the unfortunate women who do not respond at all to the nausea self-care suggestions and your nausea is severe or debilitating, it is critical that you find a health provider who will be proactive in trying to find a way to help you. Don't suffer in silence; if you need extra help, get it!
What causes nausea is unknown. Hormonal changes (possibly progesterone or hCG levels), emotional factors (especially stress), the rapid stretching of the uterine muscles, swings in blood sugar, etc. have all been pointed to as possible causes. Of critical importance (especially to larger women) is preventing swings in blood sugar. Throwing up or going without eating because of nausea often causes a dip in blood sugar, which can significantly worsen the nausea that is already there. Since the mother now feels even worse, she eats even less, lowering her blood sugar even more, leading to quite a vicious cycle. When she does eat, her blood sugar then surges with its new energy, which in some may cause an insulin surge in response, which will then suppress blood sugar levels, causing more nausea----------see the cycle? So often the mother, by not eating when nauseous, is led into even worse nausea.
If a woman is somewhat prone to diabetes already (and many larger women may be) and her blood sugars dip and surge continually like this, it's possible that this may be implicated in developing gestational diabetes later in pregnancy (though not everyone agrees). Women who do develop GD in pregnancy are strongly advised to maintain euglycemia (steady normal blood sugars) in order to minimize risks to the baby, and often women who may be at risk for GD are counseled to do the same. Therefore, it may be even more critical for larger women to keep their blood sugar on an even keel, despite their nausea.
Doing this, of course, is easier said than done. Forcing yourself to eat when nauseous is unpleasant, and it's very easy to skip meals or forego foods. However, your baby is counting on you. Keep that uppermost in your mind as you are tempted to skip meals. No one should minimize that nausea is unpleasant and difficult to manage, but some steps can be taken to try to lessen its impact on the baby. Again, if none of these work and your symptoms are severe or you become dehydrated, it is very important to seek medical help before the nausea compromises your pregnancy. Don't be shy about getting help.
Remember, all of these are just ideas that have worked for some people. There are no guarantees! Not all of these suggestions will work for you, and sometimes nothing works. All you can do in that case is endure while trying to minimize the impact on your pregnancy, and seek help if needed.
1. Keep your blood sugar levels even by eating small, frequent meals high in protein and complex carbohydrates.
Simple carbohydrates (foods high in sugar and even unsweetened fruit juice) are turned quickly into blood sugar in your system. Complex carbohydrates take longer to turn into blood sugar, so they will keep your blood sugars from spiking quickly and then dropping, and will provide longer-term energy. High fiber foods, fats, and proteins also slow down the carbohydrate conversion, which will keep your blood sugar more even. Never eat carbohydrates without an accompanying fat or protein food. Frequent small snacks work better for nausea than big meals. Try eating 5-6 small meals or snacks a day, and be sure to eat before bedtime. Also, carry with you a portable snack such as nuts and fruit or cheese and crackers for use if you start feeling nauseous---even though it's very hard to try and eat when you feel queasy, you may be able to prevent a worse nausea episode if you do get something down).
2. Eat before you are hungry.
If you wait until your body tells you it is hungry, you may already have lowered your blood sugar too much and the acid production in your stomach may also worsen nausea. Strike first by eating frequent small snacks (a carbohydrate and a protein are best) before your blood sugar has a chance to dip. Also, eating while you are still feeling relatively good will help food go down and perhaps stay down, and may prevent a nausea attack. Try not to let more than 3-4 hours go by between eating something.
3. Eat a substantial bedtime snack, including protein.
It's a long time between your last meal of the day and your breakfast the next morning, so it's very easy for blood sugar to become too low during this time, causing nausea upon rising. Shortly before bedtime, try eating a fairly significant snack of complex carbohydrates and protein. The protein will help slow down the release of the complex carbohydrates, enabling you to have more steady blood sugar levels through the night. Sometimes, some women even need to get up in the middle of the night and get a little extra snack, like a glass of milk, in order to help their morning nausea. It's worth a try!
4. Try eating before getting out of bed in the morning, then take it slowly.
Before getting out of bed in the morning (like 20-30 minutes ahead of time), have a high-carbohydrate snack. Common suggestions are crackers, but some women find other foods work better. Experiment till you find your best choice (some like salty foods, others do not). Once you are up, ease yourself into the day as gradually as your schedule allows; rushing and quick movements at first tend to aggravate nausea. Give the morning snack a chance to take effect and raise your blood sugar.
5. Be sure to get enough fluids.
Dehydration is a danger to those with nausea, so it is important to stay hydrated. Some women find they tolerate fluids best with meals; others find it better to take them only between meals. Small sips, taken frequently, may also help. Remember, fruit juices are a simple carb and may cause a quick surge and then crash in some women, so try to use water instead (or at least take a protein with your fruit juice). If fluids give you a lot of trouble, try fruits and vegetables with a high water content. You may also want to consult your health provider if you are having trouble keeping down fluids.
6. Try ginger.
Some women reportedly have luck with small amounts of ginger added to their food. Be careful not to use too much, however. (Good excuse for a ginger ale.)
7. Be sure to take your prenatal vitamin, but try switching brands or times.
Some women note a sensitivity to certain prenatal vitamin brands, especially the prescription type. Try switching for a week to an over-the-counter brand (be sure it has enough folic acid), or try asking your doctor for a different prescription type. Sometimes changing the time of day that you take the vitamin can help---try taking it at the time of day when you have the least nausea (if there is such a time!). Bedtime may be a good choice.
8. Ask your health provider about trying extra vitamin B-6.
Some women find relief if they add extra vitamin B-6 to their diet. 50 mg. is usually the dosage tried, but remember to clear it first with your health provider (very important!).
9. Avoid trigger foods and substitute alternatives as needed; get enough protein.
Some foods seem to act as triggers to nausea. If carrots bother you, avoid them for a while. However, it IS important to substitute something else for the important vitamin A to be found in carrots. An alternative might be dried apricots, squash, cantaloupe, or even--if desperate-- pumpkin pie or muffins (in conservative amounts!). Try to keep a variety of foods as much as possible, and be creative in your choices so that the essential nutrients are covered. Don't forget the importance of significant amounts of protein in your diet as well---Brewer recommends 80-100 g of protein per day (but remember that foods like milk, yogurt, and even spinach do have protein in them and count towards this total).
10. Rinse or brush after throwing up.
Having the smell or taste of vomit in your mouth after one bout can lead to another. Try brushing your teeth afterwards, but if you are one of the people for whom brushing can induce nausea, try a gentle rinsing instead. Over time you will find your physical triggers (such as brushing, strong smells, or moving too fast) and you will learn to avoid them or adapt to them. But finding a way to refresh yourself after a bout of nausea is important--do whatever works for you.
11. Try Sea Bands.
These small bands worn on each wrist put pressure on the inner wrist and often help nausea. They have no side effects and can be found at many pharmacies or marine shops. They are also worth a shot when desperate.
Nausea is not an easy thing to deal with and no one should downplay the discomfort involved. Try as many approaches to managing nausea as you can but be realistic---no suggestion is going to 'cure' you. Sometimes, all you can do is endure. For most women, it does go away with time, and often it is worst in the first 3-4 months. You may or may not experience it again in subsequent pregnancies; each pregnancy is different and you must be prepared for the possibilities. In the meantime, hang in there and try to wait it out! It will end eventually!
Copyright © 1997 KMom@Vireday.Com. All rights reserved. No portion of this work may be sold, either by itself or as part of a larger work, without the express written permission of the author; this restriction covers all publication media, electrical, chemical, mechanical or other such as may arise over time.