Toxicosis during pregnancy: timing, how to deal, reviews

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Quite often, the joy of waiting for a baby overshadows such an unpleasant phenomenon as toxicosis during pregnancy. Every mother-to-be deals with this problem in her own way.

Many folk methods of how to deal with toxicosis during pregnancy are effective when intoxication does not pose a threat to the life and he alth of the woman and the fetus.

To understand how dangerous the ailment in question is, let's turn to the generally accepted classification of varieties of this phenomenon in obstetrics and gynecology.

Types and characteristics by timing

Classification depending on the period of gestation involves two main varieties: toxicosis during early pregnancy and preeclampsia.

The first type of intoxication of the body is usually accompanied by such unpleasant symptoms for a woman,like nausea, vomiting, intolerance to certain odors, sometimes itchy skin. During this period, a woman, as a rule, loses weight. Many are interested in the question of when toxicosis begins in early pregnancy. The time of the onset of such a state is most often interested in women who are expecting their first child. Such symptoms occur in the early stages of embryo formation. Signs of intoxication appear from about the fifth week of pregnancy or a little later and continue until the twelfth to fourteenth week, that is, until the final formation of the placenta and the restoration of hormonal levels.

But it is worth noting that everything is individual. And if some suffer from toxicosis during pregnancy during the entire first trimester, then others during this period may feel quite fine. There is also an opinion that the condition of a woman depends on the sex of the unborn child. Although, judging by the reviews, this is far from the case.

Toxicosis of the second half (preeclampsia) is accompanied by high blood pressure and malfunction of the urinary system. In particular, expectant mothers have swelling of the lower extremities, and the indicators of urinalysis worsen. Preeclampsia develops at a later date, from about the thirtieth week of pregnancy, when there is not much time left before delivery. Such formidable signs are often indications for urgent medical care. In some cases, a pregnant woman is hospitalized and is under the supervision of doctors, sometimes until delivery.

Types and characteristics according todevelopment time

Depending on the frequency of exacerbation of symptoms, toxicosis during pregnancy is divided into morning and evening.

1. The acute onset of symptoms of the first type is typical for the morning hours, as a rule, immediately after the woman wakes up. Usually, the expectant mother experiences vomiting and nausea in the morning, which negatively affects her general well-being and mood.
2. The second type of toxicosis is typical for the evening hours. Her symptoms appear immediately after the evening meal until the woman falls asleep. Symptoms of this form are associated with accumulated fatigue during the day. May appear at any stage of pregnancy.

In addition to the listed types of intoxication, during pregnancy there is a possibility of staphylococcal toxicosis. This form is a consequence of the harmful effects of staphylococcal infection on the body of a pregnant woman and is considered the most dangerous.

Common signs of toxicosis

For each form of intoxication of the organism of a pregnant woman, there are specific signs, but there are the most common symptoms characteristic of the state of toxicosis. Among these signs are:

• feeling nauseous and retching;
• profuse salivation;
• Chronic fatigue that persists even after a sleep phase;
• mental imbalance, manifested in increased excitability and irritability;
• increased body temperature;
• lowblood pressure (except for toxicosis of the second half of pregnancy);
• heart rhythm disorder;
• skin itching, sometimes with the appearance of rashes on the skin of a pregnant woman;
• calcium deficiency and trace elements important for the female body;
• involuntary contraction of muscle tissue in the limbs (e.g. leg cramps).

Judging by the reviews, toxicosis during pregnancy is not accompanied by every of the described symptoms. The most characteristic and understandable signs of intoxication are the feeling of nausea and vomiting.

According to the medical community, such reactions of the body of a pregnant woman have a completely rational basis and are explained by the desire of the future mother's body to get rid of possible bad habits and addictions, including the use of products that are unhe althy for the fetus. Thus, the body itself is trying to get rid of the unnecessary at the level of instincts.

It is difficult to deny such a theory, because due to the rejection of certain types of products, the expectant mother is forced to withdraw some foods from the diet and replace them with others, often more he althy and nutritious. In addition, discomfort and unsatisfactory he alth forces a pregnant woman to give up bad habits, in particular, smoking and drinking alcohol.

Reasons for this condition

The exact causes and timing of toxicosis during pregnancy, as well as other reactions of the female body duringgestation, have not been established so far. Everything is individual. Most of the questions about the causes and the fight against them arise in those who experience toxicosis of the first pregnancy.

Judging by the reviews, most women (more than fifty percent) experience the negative impact of intoxication in the early stages of gestation, the symptoms of which disappear on their own with increasing gestational age. The remaining percentage of expectant mothers, on the contrary, are not familiar with this unpleasant phenomenon and do not experience discomfort throughout the entire gestation period.

One of the most popular theories of the occurrence of toxicosis during pregnancy is associated with the poisoning of the female body by the waste products of the embryo, released during the growth and development of the fetus. However, due to its inconsistency, such an explanation has been completely refuted by modern specialists in the field of obstetrics and gynecology. Indeed, in this case, the symptoms of toxicosis during pregnancy in the early stages should increase and worsen with each subsequent week of gestation. However, in reality the opposite happens. And after twelve weeks (individually for each woman), the signs of this condition weaken and completely disappear.

The reasons, as well as the period when toxicosis begins during pregnancy, are individual and are not common to all women. Among the possible conditions for the occurrence of intoxication, the following are considered:

• hormonal imbalance;
• mental disorders associated with changes in the functioning of the central nervous system;
• placenta formation;
• the action of the protective barriers of the female body, seeking to get rid of the presence of a foreign object;
• age of the future mother (it is believed that the risk of intoxication increases in women over thirty);
• weak immune system of the expectant mother;
• development in the womb of a woman of multiple pregnancy;
• hereditary predisposition.

Modern medicine as the main causes of toxicosis during pregnancy considers an imbalance of hormones, as well as deviations in the functioning of the central nervous system. Primary causes are complicated by secondary disorders, which contribute to the appearance of new symptoms and complications during this ailment.

What kind of toxicosis occurs during pregnancy?

Nausea and vomiting are hallmarks of intoxication in the body of a woman who is expecting a baby. Therefore, on how pronounced these symptoms are, there are several forms of their manifestation:

• The mild form is characterized mainly by a feeling of nausea, which disappears after eating. As a rule, with this form, vomiting is less pronounced, and the reflex eruption of gastric contents does not exceed five times during the day. At the same time, the weight loss of a pregnant woman is no more than three kilograms in two weeks.
• The medium form is accompanied by frequent vomiting and an almost constant feeling of nausea. Weight loss in this form is more significant and is morethree kilograms during the established observation period.
• The course of a severe form is considered the most dangerous. With this form of the course of the disease, the number of reflex eruptions of the contents of the stomach is more than two dozen times during the day. A pregnant woman is constantly tormented by bouts of nausea, and due to frequent vomiting, the likelihood of dehydration is high.

In addition, in severe toxicosis, calcium is washed out of the body, and problems arise in the urinary system. This condition of the expectant mother requires medical attention and close medical supervision.

If by the end of the third trimester of pregnancy the symptoms of toxicosis increase, then the disease takes the form of preeclampsia and is accompanied by an increase in blood pressure and severe impairment of the kidneys. The expectant mother develops severe edema of the lower extremities. The transition of toxicosis of the second half of pregnancy (preeclampsia) into a severe form is an indication for a caesarean section.

Managing symptoms early

In the fight against the most striking manifestations of toxicosis, such as nausea and vomiting, women use their own methods. Each tries to use the means that make her feel better.

For example, to overcome the haunting feeling of nausea, expectant mothers eat foods that have a s alty or sour taste (s alted or pickled cucumbers, lemons, candies). Some women benefit from lemon balm tea or cranberry juice.

To get rid of excessive salivation, you can resort to rinsing the mouth with mint or chamomile infusion.

As a way to deal with early toxicosis during pregnancy, it is recommended to take special vitamin-mineral complexes containing such important minerals and vitamins for the body of the mother and fetus as folic acid, zinc, iodine, copper, group vitamins B.

Symptoms of morning sickness can be neutralized by drinking a glass of water on an empty stomach and having breakfast on time, as well as by eating a few nuts, crackers or a handful of dried fruits.

If nausea and vomiting do not recede, the doctor prescribes medication for the disease. In such cases, antiemetic drugs are prescribed, for example, "Cerukal" or "Torekan", as well as "Droperidol" (an antipsychotic with a sedative and antiemetic effect). Some women speak well of the innovative drug "Enterosgel", the purpose of which is the safe removal of toxins and other harmful substances from the body.

A doctor should prescribe a drug to eliminate the acute symptoms of toxicosis, and in no case should you purchase medicines on your own. Only a doctor can assess the degree of illness that has overtaken a pregnant woman and prescribe the correct treatment.

As for severe forms of toxicosis of the second half of pregnancy, self-medication is inappropriate here. Elimination of symptoms in such intoxication shouldcarried out under the direct supervision and supervision of a physician.

Traditional medicine

There are many options for dealing with morning sickness in early pregnancy. To eliminate symptoms, expectant mothers often use the following popular methods:

1. Treatment with honey. This unique useful product successfully fights nausea when toxicosis begins during early pregnancy. The main thing is the absence of contraindications to its use (allergies and intolerances). You can use honey in its natural form or add it to tea, fruit drinks or herbal decoctions. It is recommended to introduce bee products into your daily diet with caution and little by little. Just one teaspoon a day is enough to get you started.
2. Dried fruits have a specific sweet and sour taste. Dried fruit compote is a good remedy for nausea. You can eat dried fruits, nuts or crackers immediately after waking up to suppress the urge to vomit.
3. Reception of citrus fruits and freshly squeezed juices can also help the expectant mother when toxemia begins during pregnancy. The sour taste fights nausea, and the high content of vitamin C in citrus fruits helps to strengthen the immunity of a woman carrying a child. If citrus fruits cause rejection in the expectant mother, cranberries in their natural form or in the form of fruit drink or decoction can become an alternative product.
4. Rosehip tea helps to cope with nausea, and a large amountuseful substances contained in the fruits of this shrub, helps to eliminate toxins and saturate the body with vitamins.
5. Toxemia treatment with apple cider vinegar. To do this, a teaspoon of vinegar is diluted in a glass of water. You can drink such a drink in the morning until the main meal.
6. Decoction based on ginger root and lemon. The drink is prepared as follows: a teaspoon of grated root is poured with boiling water in the amount of one liter. After an hour of exposure to the broth, lemon juice is added to taste.
7. Some women are well helped by a decoction or tincture of motherwort. But do not get carried away in this way.
8. Tea with the addition of mint or lemon balm leaves also helps to cope with bouts of nausea and vomiting.

Relieve symptoms with scents

Aromatherapy using vegetable oils is widely used to normalize both the physical and mental state. To stop nausea, you can apply a few drops of oil to clothing or the skin of the wrist. The choice of aroma is based on the personal preference and tolerance of the pregnant woman. This method of dealing with bouts of nausea is not suitable for every woman, since the specific smells of oils can cause the exact opposite reaction. As with other means of eliminating toxicosis, you should not abuse the use of essential oils during pregnancy.

Methods for preventing intoxication

Pregnancy is not only a joyful event, but also a reason to reconsider and change the usual imagelife. Making the following lifestyle adjustments will help prevent the occurrence of unpleasant symptoms.

1. Change in eating behavior. If the smell and taste of certain foods make you feel disgusted, stop eating them immediately. Introduce foods and drinks into your diet that can neutralize bouts of nausea and vomiting. For each woman, a set of such products will be individual.



2. Taking vitamin complexes. Multivitamins are important in strengthening the immune system of the expectant mother. Replenishing the deficiency of vitamins and minerals is an effective way to get rid of toxicosis during pregnancy.
3. Proper catering. To reduce stress on the stomach and normalize metabolism, organize your daily diet so that a single portion of food is reduced, and the number of meals during the day is increased (up to about six to eight times a day).
4. Adequate protein intake. Protein is an important building material, so the daily diet of a pregnant woman should include a sufficient amount of foods containing vegetable and animal protein.
5. Mandatory presence of fresh vegetables, fruits and nuts in the diet of the expectant mother.
6. To avoid acute symptoms of toxicosis, avoid fatty, spicy, smoked foods, as well as strong coffee and tea (you can switch to green tea during pregnancy).
7. Control the amount of s alt consumed.
8. Sufficientwater consumption. For the normal operation of all systems and organs in the body of a future mother, the daily amount of water drunk by a woman should reach one and a half liters.
9. Complete rejection of bad habits (alcohol and smoking).
10. A good night's rest (at least eight hours of sleep).
11. Physical activity. To the best of her ability and ability, a pregnant woman should lead an active lifestyle, exercise daily in the morning (for example, perform specially designed exercises for pregnant women) and walk in the fresh air, regardless of the weather.
12. One of the most important means of prevention can be considered the absence of stressful situations and all sorts of experiences in the life of a future mother. Then the state of he alth will be better, and the fetus will develop correctly.
13. Moderate physical activity associated with household chores will help to avoid overexertion and fatigue. Therefore, try to do housework only in moments of good he alth, and do not work through force.
14. In no case do not put yourself on starvation rations. Often it is hunger that causes severe bouts of nausea. Remember that the baby needs food, and you can get it only from the mother's body. Therefore, despite the unimportant state of he alth, try to fully eat at least those foods that the body takes well. As a rule, toxicosis does not last forever, with time the symptoms will subside.

Conclusion

The method of struggle depends on the period of pregnancy at which toxicosis manifests itself. The main thing is to find an individualapproach to your body, without causing harm to the unborn child. The timing of toxicosis during pregnancy may be different, in case of signs of severe intoxication, it is imperative to consult a doctor.