Nausea in early pregnancy: how to fight and alleviate?

Pregnancy is a long-awaited and exciting state for many women. In addition to pleasant emotions, expectant mothers are haunted by unusual sensations. First of all, this is nausea during early pregnancy. However, this symptom is not a harbinger of abnormal fetal development. According to statistics, in the 4th-7th week of pregnancy, 60% of women show signs of toxicosis. And less than 10% of expectant mothers need inpatient treatment.

In most cases, toxicosis occurs without consequences and complications. In mild cases, it does not require any treatment. If there is a sharp loss of weight, severe vomiting or weakness, you cannot do without the help of a specialist.

The most common belief is that weakness and nausea during early pregnancy are a must, and their absence is an alarming signal.

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Causes early pregnancy nausea

According to most experts, nausea is provoked by the slightest hormonal changes. Risk factors:

• pathologies of the digestive system;
• heredity;
• thyroid or kidney disease;
• frequent stress;
• infectious diseases;
• obesity;
• poisoning or intoxication.

Also, the cause of severe nausea during early pregnancy may be the expectant mother's smoking. And in some cases, this is the result of self-hypnosis. Many mothers are repelled by previous experience or simply pay too much attention to their worries. Perhaps, in this case, the pregnant woman should visit a psychologist.

Despite the fact that nausea does not indicate any disorders, it should not be considered normal. Since frequent and strong vomiting can negatively affect the health of not only the mother, but also the baby. It is considered acceptable in the morning on an empty stomach.

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Pathogenesis

There are a huge number of different theories that have tried to explain the causes of nausea in the first trimester of pregnancy. Among them: reflex, hormonal, immune, allergic and others. However, to date, specialists have not been able to determine the exact cause.

The body of the expectant mother is exposed to various irritants from the moment of fertilization. Not all systems and organs are fully prepared to resist this, and as a result, a peculiar response occurs.

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Symptoms early pregnancy nausea

A woman learns about her interesting position at about 4-5 weeks. At the same time, the first signs of early toxicosis appear. In addition to weakness, a constant desire to sleep and irritability, the expectant mother begins to be bothered by nausea, vomiting and an increased sense of smell.

Many pregnant women suffer from nausea in the early stages of pregnancy before the missed period. The reasons for this phenomenon are quite difficult to explain. Perhaps it is due to fear and anxiety or self-hypnosis.

The main symptoms of nausea during early pregnancy:

1. Vomiting. Doctors distinguish several forms of vomiting:

• mild. Characterized by infrequent vomiting attacks (up to five per day). During the week, the expectant mother can lose 1-3 kg. Her general condition is normal. Apathy may occur. No changes are recorded in the tests;
• average. The number of vomiting attacks increases to 10 times a day, metabolism is disrupted. In seven days, the expectant mother can lose up to 5 kg. Blood pressure may drop, and the heart rate may increase. If treatment is started on time, the prognosis will be favorable;
• severe. This form is accompanied by dizziness and nausea in the early stages of pregnancy. The frequency of vomiting attacks reaches twenty times a day. Sleep disturbances are observed, liquid and water are not retained in the stomach. The pregnant woman loses weight sharply, experiences dry tongue. A sharp smell of acetone appears from the mouth;

2. Dermatosis. Cases of its occurrence are much less common. It often manifests itself as skin itching;
3. Choking or bronchial asthma. The disease is severe and is accompanied by a dry cough;
4. Increased salivation. May appear as an independent pathology or with vomiting.

Mild nausea does not require treatment and goes away over time. Nausea without vomiting may be present in early pregnancy. This often happens on an empty stomach or in the morning. To remove the unpleasant sensation, it is enough to eat a little.

However, there are a number of symptoms that indicate the need to contact a medical facility and undergo an examination:

• vomiting attacks occur more than 10 times a day;
• fever and nausea in early pregnancy;
• heart rate increases;
• The expectant mother is rapidly losing weight.

If you have these symptoms, you should consult a specialist and undergo treatment.

Diagnostics early pregnancy nausea

It is not difficult for specialists to determine the diagnosis of nausea of pregnant women. To determine the degree and severity of the disease, the expectant mother must undergo examination and tests. As a result, the doctor will be able to determine the content of bilirubin in the blood, sodium, potassium, glucose, nitrogen, protein, and protein fractions. In urine, the doctor determines the level of protein, acetone, bile pigments, and urobilin. The Ht level can be used to determine how dehydrated the expectant mother's body is.

Instrumental diagnostics of nausea includes:

• Ultrasound. Examination of the abdominal cavity will allow you to assess the condition of not only the bile ducts and gall bladder, but also the intestines, kidneys, and pancreas;
• acidity test. The test will show the level of acidity in the body. If the test shows that the pH of the stomach is no more than 2.0, this indicates the presence of gastroenterological diseases or inflammatory processes;
• esophagogastroduodenoscopy. It is a procedure that allows a specialist to assess the condition of the surface of the stomach, esophagus and duodenum. A special instrument, an endoscope, is used for this. It is performed in case of urgent need.

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Differential diagnosis

Differential diagnostics are also carried out. It is necessary to determine the exact diagnosis. Since nausea is accompanied by various diseases. For example, pancreatitis, gastritis, food poisoning, stomach cancer.

Treatment early pregnancy nausea

Future mothers are concerned about the main question of what to do and how to get rid of nausea in the early stages of pregnancy. There are many effective ways to combat this problem. However, you should not self-medicate. In order not to harm yourself and the future child, it is better to undergo an examination and follow the recommendations of your doctor.

Treatment methods for nausea during early pregnancy

Treatment of nausea involves eliminating the cause of its occurrence. Its main goal is to restore metabolism, water-salt metabolism, and improve the functioning of important organs. Severe and moderate vomiting is treated in a hospital. Mild nausea can be treated on an outpatient basis.

To eliminate nausea in the evening during early pregnancy, the first step is to review the pregnant woman's diet. Food should be taken in small portions approximately 3-4 times a day, chilled.

Drug treatment involves the use of medications that will help eliminate nausea and vomiting:

• Motilium. The drug is used for gastrointestinal motility disorders and severe nausea attacks. It has an antiemetic and antinausea effect by blocking dopamine receptors in neuronal cells. Contraindications: internal bleeding, epilepsy, abdominal pain, high blood pressure. According to the instructions, the daily dose of the drug is 1-2 tablets, the dose should be divided into 3 times. Motilium should be taken after meals;
• Cerucal. Helps to get rid of constant nausea during early pregnancy. Used for frequent vomiting, nausea, stomach cramps. The dosage is prescribed by the attending physician individually. Since the drug can negatively affect the condition of the fetus. The average daily dose is 10-15 mg 2-3 times. Side effects: dry mouth, weakness, apathy, muscle spasms. If a woman followed the specialist's recommendations and took the drug correctly, as a result, her general condition will improve significantly, bowel function will speed up;
• Regidron. Diarrhea and nausea in early pregnancy lead to the removal of a large amount of fluid from the body. To restore it, doctors prescribe this drug. The daily dose of the drug is 30/60 ml of solution per kilogram of weight. One packet of the drug is enough for a liter of warm water. It is forbidden to add sugar or its substitutes to the resulting solution, since they will reduce the therapeutic effect. Despite the fact that the drug is safe, it is better to take it under the supervision of a doctor;
• Polyphepan. This is an enterosorbent that helps with diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, has a detoxifying effect. It is taken one hour before meals. Pregnant women are prohibited from taking the drug on their own. The doctor, after examining, determines the dosage and duration of the course of treatment.

To eliminate nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy, physical therapy is performed. Physiotherapy treatment includes:

1. Endonasal electrophoresis. The procedure uses B vitamins;
2. Electrosleep;
3. Galvanization of the brain.

Carrying out these procedures helps suppress the activity of the vomiting center in the brain.

The effectiveness of traditional medicine for nausea

To get rid of unpleasant symptoms, many resort to folk remedies. The most effective means to combat nausea during early pregnancy in the morning or evening are:

• cranberry juice. To prepare the juice, you need to wash and mash about 150-200 grams of cranberries. Pour boiling water over the mashed berries and boil for ten minutes. You can add lemon juice and sugar to the juice. You should drink the remedy when the first vomiting sensation appears;
• potato juice. The potatoes must be chopped using a blender or meat grinder. The resulting liquid is taken for nausea after eating in the early stages of pregnancy, about 2 tablespoons;
• To get rid of heartburn and nausea in early pregnancy, it is recommended to drink pumpkin juice or seeds.

Nausea at night during early pregnancy leads to sleep disturbances and irritability. To get rid of unpleasant sensations, you can turn to herbal treatment. The most effective and safe decoction of lemon balm. For 1 liter of water, use 6 tbsp. of the herb. Melissa should be poured with boiling water and infused for 3 hours. Take the decoction 0.5 cups 4-5 times a day.

Tea made from mint (20 g), valerian root (15 g), marigold flowers (20 g) and yarrow (20 g) also helps well. Pour boiling water (0.5 l) over the herbal mixture and leave for 3 hours. Then strain the tea and take three tablespoons 6 times a day.

Another good remedy that helps to forget about nausea and vomiting in the first trimester of pregnancy is fennel. It improves digestion and soothes the stomach. To prepare a decoction, brew 1 teaspoon in a glass of boiling water. After 10 minutes, strain the decoction thoroughly. You can add honey or lemon juice.

Homeopathic Remedies for Nausea

Many specialists prefer to prescribe homeopathic remedies that reduce vomiting attacks and alleviate the general condition of the expectant mother. Today, the following homeopathic drugs are the most popular:

1. Cocculin. The tablets eliminate nausea and prevent vomiting, improve appetite. Two tablets are taken three times a day. The drug has no side effects. Contraindications include individual intolerance;
2. Sepia. The drug is developed on the basis of dried ink of the pharmaceutical cuttlefish. The drug is prescribed for vomiting attacks, constant nausea, constipation and pain. The duration of the course of treatment and the dose are determined by the attending physician;
3. Ipecacuanha. The drug helps to get rid of severe nausea and increased salivation. The drug is taken three times a day. The dose is determined by a specialist;
4. Colchicum. For nausea from food and chills, the drug is recommended to be taken three times a day, three balls (grains).

Prevention

In order to avoid suffering from vomiting and nausea during pregnancy, you should carefully prepare for pregnancy. A planned pregnancy will help to avoid the appearance of various unpleasant symptoms.

Also, we must not forget about nutrition. The diet of a pregnant woman should be varied. Meals should be small 3-4 times a day.

It is advisable not to get carried away with physical activity. At the same time, it is necessary to walk in the fresh air for at least three hours a day, if weather conditions allow. In winter, you should dress warmly so as not to freeze.

Herbal infusions are suitable for combating vomiting and nausea. Before taking them, you should consult a specialist.

It is worth noting that nausea haunts almost all expectant mothers. However, if you listen to your body and follow the doctor's recommendations, a woman will easily overcome this stage and will be able to fully enjoy the joy of motherhood.

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