Vomiting during pregnancy: what to do?

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

Nausea and vomiting are very common phenomena that accompany a woman during a period when she is in an interesting position. Most often, they occur precisely at an early stage of pregnancy, although there are exceptions when these processes continue to torment pregnant women throughout the entire period of bearing a baby. As a rule, you should not particularly worry about vomiting during pregnancy, since the nauseating condition goes away on its own. But there are situations when the process gets out of control: then it is already necessary to sound the alarm and seek medical help.

Why nausea and vomiting occur during pregnancy

The reason for such unpleasant sensations as vomiting and nausea is the fact that the female body is trying to adapt to its new state. The fact is that the moment of formation of a full-fledged placenta of the fetus falls only on the ninth week, and ends approximately on the sixteenth. Before its occurrence, all the decay products that were formed as a result of the child's vital activity enterdirectly into the mother's bloodstream, poisoning it and causing constant bouts of vomiting and nausea.

In addition, during pregnancy there is a rather sharp change in the hormonal background of a woman, whose feelings are very aggravated at this moment. Therefore, absolutely any smell can cause a nausea or an attack of vomiting.

When these nasty attacks start

Vomiting during pregnancy is common and normal. Nausea usually occurs in the morning. Less often during the day or evening. Women begin to vomit during pregnancy at 5-6 weeks and usually last for 8-10 weeks thereafter.

What can a woman's body react to in such an unpleasant way? It can be the smell of food or something else (for example, soap or perfume), overwork, psycho-emotional stress or excitement. Nausea and bouts of vomiting, which are usually accompanied by loss of appetite and profuse salivation, are called toxicosis.

Note! Statistics say that if a mother was tormented by toxicosis during pregnancy, then, most likely, her daughter will receive the exact same problem as a “gift” in the future: you can’t argue with a genetic predisposition.

Varieties of toxicosis

Toxicosis during pregnancy (vomiting is a vivid confirmation of it) is divided into:

• Easy. With this type of toxicosis, attacks of vomiting can be repeated during the day about 4-5 times. Most often this happens either immediately after a meal, or in the morning. If thesevomiting attacks are not accompanied by loss of appetite and performance, dizziness, weight loss and general weakness, then medical workers consider them as completely safe for the he alth of the baby and his mother. Similar phenomena, passing by themselves by the beginning of 11-15 weeks, can be corrected simply by nutrition, and no treatment is required.
• Medium. With this type of toxicosis, the number of attacks is already increasing up to 10 times a day. Attacks, accompanied by a slight loss of weight (while the general condition of the woman is satisfactory), are repeated constantly during the day. You can counteract moderate toxicosis with herbal preparations (for example, using artichoke or chamomile extract); nutrition adjustment; in some cases, intravenous glucose injections or antiemetic medications (only prescribed by a doctor).

Heavy. With this type of toxicosis, attacks of vomiting are repeated more than 10 times a day. In this case, there is a significant deterioration in the general condition of a pregnant woman (she loses weight at a rapid pace, her kidney function worsens, certain changes occur in urine and blood tests, signs of dehydration appear), which is constantly nauseous (not only during the day, but also at night). You definitely cannot do without the intervention of doctors: the expectant mother should be under their close supervision in a hospital

Toxicosis during the first trimester of pregnancy

Early pregnancy vomiting(especially in the morning hours) may be accompanied by other factors indicating the presence of early toxicosis, which is observed in the first three months of pregnancy:

• Tachycardia, that is, heart rhythm disturbance.
• A general weakness.
• Increase, sometimes significant, in body temperature.
• Speedy weight loss (about 4-5 kg in 7-8 days).
• The appearance of a depressive state, turning into complete apathy.
• Lower blood pressure.
• Dehydration.

Note! Vomiting during pregnancy is not a mandatory "event". She may not be. In this case, it remains only to envy pregnant women and wish them all the very best. Well, what can I say: some people are lucky. So, those who believe that vomiting is a sign of pregnancy without fail are mistaken. This is not true at all.

It turns out that some women "adequately experience" hormonal changes (that is, the active production of progesterone by the ovaries) in their body. In others, this hormone relaxes the walls of the uterus and, as a result, causes nausea and vomiting.

Attention! If, in combination with vomiting during pregnancy, diarrhea is also observed in the early stages, then it is quite possible that these are signs of either toxic infection or food poisoning. Both of these do not bode well. Call an ambulance immediately.

Pregnancy vomiting with bile

Sometimes in the early stages you can observevomiting with bile (most often in the morning, when there is no food in the stomach). The presence of such attacks signals the development of inflammation of the gallbladder (cholecystitis); diseases of the liver, duodenum; and inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis).

Important! At the first attacks of this kind, you should urgently consult a doctor.

Toxicosis in late pregnancy

As a rule, during the second trimester, vomiting and nausea gradually decrease to zero. But immediately before childbirth, these unpleasant phenomena can again remind of themselves. What is the reason for this inconsistency? It is quite simple and banal - this is overeating. Yes, yes, that's it. The fact is that at these stages of pregnancy, the woman's uterus already has a decent size and puts pressure not only on the stomach, but also on other internal organs. Therefore, if the stomach is full and there is pressure on it, it naturally leads to vomiting and a state of nausea. Most often, these situations do not require any treatment.

Advice! Follow your diet and eating habits - and everything will be in order. By the way, do not exercise immediately after eating.

If a woman does not overeat, and there is late toxicosis, this may signal the presence of preeclampsia, preeclampsia or acetone in the body.

Important! Hiding such problems from your doctor is absolutely not worth it, as it can lead to serious complications and problems.

What is preeclampsia andpreeclampsia

Preeclampsia (or late toxicosis) is a rather serious complication characteristic of the third trimester of pregnancy. The disease significantly impairs the functioning of the brain, kidneys and blood vessels of the expectant mother. Its main signs are the presence of protein in the urine test (which is accompanied by severe edema) and an increase in blood pressure (which manifests itself in the form of impaired vision, vomiting during pregnancy and headache). Very often, preeclampsia begins at week 35 (mainly in women carrying their firstborns) and less often at week 21. In case of late toxicosis (that is, convulsions, oxygen deficiency or coma), urgent hospitalization is required.

Note! The closer to the expected date of birth, gestosis began, the better the prognosis for a cure. Often doctors resort to caesarean section or induction of early labor.

How dangerous is this disease for a baby? It inevitably leads to a delay in the development of the fetus, and is also the cause of intrauterine hypoxia (that is, lack of oxygen). Consequences - the lag of the child not only in mental, but also in physical development.

Preeclampsia is characterized by the same phenomena as preeclampsia, only on an enlarged scale. So far, experts cannot say with absolute accuracy what is the cause of this disease. One thing is known for sure, that it affects women who have a weakened immune system and high blood pressure.

Vomiting blood

Vomiting whenpregnancy with blood is an extremely dangerous condition that requires immediate hospitalization and surgical care. The presence of blood in the vomit may indicate a stomach or duodenal ulcer, as well as bleeding in the mouth or esophagus.

Fight seizures

If you suffer from vomiting during pregnancy - what to do about it? Perhaps the following recommendations will help improve the situation, or at least alleviate your condition:

• It is necessary to eat often (every 2-3 hours), but in small quantities (a guideline for you - a serving should fit in the palm of your hand).
• Food should be warm, not hot.
• In the morning, you should eat only foods that do not provoke attacks of vomiting and nausea. Someone, pursuing these goals, consumes fresh fruit; others - viscous cereal porridges; and still others - sweet tea with brown bread. Everything is very individual. Therefore, there can be no single recommendations.
• Don't skip breakfast (preferably right in bed), as it's more likely to get sick on an empty stomach.

• After eating, you need to lie down a bit.
• It is imperative to replenish the water balance in the body, that is, to compensate for all the lost fluid, as well as potassium. Therefore, you need to drink plenty of water (in small portions) and include foods that contain potassium (for example, dried apricots, figs, bananas, potatoes, raisins or persimmons) in the diet. Dried fruit compote may be the best option.
• Recommended in the firsthalf a day include in the diet foods rich in protein (for example, eggs, cheese or "sour milk") and carbohydrates (for example, fruits).
• Absolutely avoid fatty, spicy, sweet, fried and canned foods.
• Ventilate your home more often.
• Spend more time outdoors.
• Try to ignore possible stressful situations, as only positive emotions will help.
• Always carry something to help you cope with a sudden attack of vomiting (for example, apples, lemon water, dried fruits, chamomile tea, nuts or mints).

• Drink a few sips of tea with lemon, mint or lemon balm every day.
• You can take antiemetic drugs (for example, "Cerucal" or "Metoclopramide"), but this should be done only in exceptional cases and strictly as directed by a doctor.

All of these can be done if vomiting is not a sign of a dangerous pathology: therefore, your doctor should be aware of all your problems.

Important! Is it worth it to induce vomiting artificially, wanting to alleviate your condition? Be aware that doing this can lead to a significant increase in blood pressure, bleeding in the esophagus or stomach.

Tea with mint or lemon balm

Tea with mint or lemon balm is an excellent folk remedy for the treatment of debilitating early toxicosis and flatulence. It can only be used afterconsultation with your doctor. The composition of herbs includes a large number of vitamins, they also have anti-allergic, antibacterial and antiviral properties, which are also very important. It is recommended to drink a cup of healing tea with mint or lemon balm half an hour before bedtime.

Important! Pregnant women who have certain kidney problems (such as urolithiasis) should not drink mint or lemon balm tea.

Tea with lemon

A lemon wedge in the morning can keep you from throwing up and nauseous all day long. Tea with this citrus fruit is also a good prevention of unpleasant phenomena. Moreover, drinking this drink is not forbidden at all during the period of bearing a baby, since lemon contains a huge amount of ascorbic acid. It is vitamin C that helps to increase immunity, thereby increasing the mother's body's resistance to various infectious diseases.

First emergency ambulance

Before the ambulance arrives, in order to somehow alleviate the condition of a pregnant woman, you can do the following:

• Lay down the future mother (or seat) so that in case of loss of consciousness she does not fall and hurt.
• Let her drink plain clean (filtered) water or sweet weak tea.
• For high blood pressure, give medications that normalize it.

In closing

Despite everything that happens during pregnancy (vomiting in the morning and possibly in the evening, nervousdrops, weakness and much more), this is the most wonderful period in the life of any woman. A lot can be overcome while waiting for the birth of a new person.