Giving birth to a new life is one of the best times in a woman's life, an important landscape in the journey of life. Faced with multiple physical, psychological and role changes, enjoying the sweetness of pregnancy and the nausea and vomiting of early pregnancy also follow. How to alleviate physical discomfort and psychological pressure for pregnant mothers?
What is gestational vomiting and hyperemesis gravidarum?
Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy is a common first-trimester pregnancy reaction, and if symptoms are severe, it can be called hyperemesis gravidarum. It is also a common cause of hospitalization during early pregnancy. Nausea and vomiting can occur at any time of the day. It is often multiple times a day, and can even cause weight loss and dehydration due to severe vomiting. It generally begins in the first 2-3 months of pregnancy and mostly improves by the second trimester, but some patients still feel nauseous until the third trimester of pregnancy.
Causes of vomiting in pregnancy
Hormone stimulation: Peak hCG concentrations and severity of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy overlap briefly, so hCG is seen as the first factor inducing vomiting. Evolutionary adaptation: Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy is a protective response that protects pregnant women and fetuses from ingesting dangerous foods.
Do we need to check?
If necessary, you need to determine if the vomiting is harming your body and to identify whether the vomiting is caused by other conditions. These tests may include:
●Blood tests (blood routine, electrolytes, blood amylase, thyroid function, hCG, etc.)
●Urine testing (urine routine, urine amylase, etc.)
●Ultrasonography (obstetric ultrasound, abdominal ultrasound)
We will be affected
For pregnant women themselves: nausea and vomiting will bring physical and psychological discomfort, severe to hyperemesis gravidarum require hospitalization, severe cases may occur dehydration, physical disorders, and even terminate pregnancy!
For the fetus: If hyperemesis gravidarum occurs throughout pregnancy, the likelihood of the child being smaller is slightly higher, but it does not appear to cause other problems. Medications for nausea and vomiting during pregnancy will also not affect the child.
What can we do to improve discomfort
Reduce hunger and eat as soon as possible before or when you are hungry.
Eat less and eat more meals, and avoid irritating foods. Foods should preferably be protein-rich or carbohydrate-rich and low-fat, such as biscuits, bread, nuts, and low-fat yogurt. Avoid irritating foods. Rinse your mouth immediately after eating. Avoid lying down after eating.
Drink refreshing cold drinks such as sports drinks and ginger soda. And try not to use it with meals.
Take vitamins with snacks at bedtime, do not take them in the morning on an empty stomach.
Stay away from things in your environment that make you feel sick, such as unventilated rooms, strong smells, hot places or noisy noises.
How do we prevent it?
Women who may be pregnant or have become pregnant use a multivitamin, which should contain at least 400 μg of folic acid. Using vitamins before and during pregnancy may help prevent nausea and vomiting.