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Nausea in early pregnancy: how to fight and ease?
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Pregnancy is a long-awaited and exciting state for many women. In addition to pleasant emotions, expectant mothers are harassed by unusual sensations. First of all, this is nausea in early pregnancy. However, this symptom is not a harbinger of improper development of the fetus. According to statistics, at 4-7 weeks of pregnancy, 60% of women show signs of toxicosis. And in inpatient care less than 10% of expectant mothers need.
In most cases, toxicosis occurs without consequences and complications. With a light form, it does not require any treatment. If there is a sharp weight loss, severe vomiting or weakness - you can not do without the help of a specialist.
The most common belief is that weakness, nausea during pregnancy in the early stages should be mandatory, and their absence is an alarming signal.
Causes of the nausea in early pregnancy
According to most experts, nausea provokes the slightest changes in the hormonal nature. Risk factors:
- pathology of the digestive system;
- heredity;
- thyroid or kidney disease;
- frequent stress;
- infectious diseases;
- obesity;
- poisoning or intoxication.
Also, the cause of severe nausea during pregnancy in the early stages may be smoking of a future mother. And in some cases this is the result of auto-suggestion. Many mothers start from previous experience or just give too much attention to experiences. Perhaps, in this case, a pregnant woman should visit a psychologist.
Despite the fact that nausea does not indicate a violation, it should not be considered a norm. As frequent and strong emetic desires can negatively affect the health status of not only mom, but also the baby. Admissible is considered in the morning on an empty stomach.
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Pathogenesis
There are a lot of different theories that tried to explain the causes of nausea in the first trimester of pregnancy. Among them: reflex, hormonal, immune, allergic and others. However for today experts could not find out the exact reason.
The organism of the future mother is exposed to various stimuli from the moment of fertilization. Not all systems and organs are ready to completely resist this and as a result, a peculiar reaction arises.
Symptoms of the nausea in early pregnancy
A woman learns about her interesting position about 4-5 weeks. At the same time, the first signs of early toxicosis are manifested. In addition to weakness, a constant desire to sleep and irritability, the future mother begins to worry about nausea, vomiting and exacerbation of smell.
Many pregnant women suffer from nausea in the early stages of pregnancy before the delay. The reasons for this phenomenon are difficult to explain. Perhaps this is due to fear and feelings or self-hypnosis.
The main symptoms of nausea in early pregnancy:
- Vomiting. Physicians distinguish several forms of vomiting:
- light. It is characterized by infrequent vomiting attacks (up to five per day). During the week, the future mother can lose weight by 1-3 kg. Her general condition is normal. Perhaps the emergence of apathy. No changes in analyzes are recorded;
- average. The number of emetic attacks increases already up to 10 times a day, metabolism is disrupted. For seven days, the future mother can lose up to 5 kg. The pressure may fall, and the heart rate may become shorter. If you start treatment on time, the prognosis will be favorable;
- heavy. This form is accompanied by dizziness and nausea in the early stages of pregnancy. The frequency of emetic attacks reaches twenty times a day. There is a violation of sleep, the stomach does not retain liquid and water. Pregnant sharply loses weight, feels dryness of tongue. A sharp smell of acetone appears from his mouth;
- Dermatosis. The cases of its appearance are much less common. Often it is manifested by itchy skin;
- Choking or bronchial asthma. Diseases are severe and accompanied by a dry cough;
- Increased salivation. It can appear as an independent pathology or when vomiting.
An easy form of nausea does not require treatment and eventually passes. There may be nausea without vomiting in the early stages of pregnancy. This often occurs on an empty stomach or in the morning. To remove an unpleasant sensation, it's enough to eat a little.
However, there are a number of symptoms that indicate the need to go to a medical institution and undergo a survey:
- Emetic attacks occur more often 10 times a day;
- fever and nausea in the early stages of pregnancy;
- heart rate increases;
- the future mom is rapidly losing weight.
If you have these symptoms, you should consult a specialist and get treatment.
Diagnostics of the nausea in early pregnancy
Determine the diagnosis of nausea in pregnant women for professionals is not difficult. To determine the degree and severity of the disease, the expectant mother needs to undergo a test and pass the tests. As a result, the doctor will be able to establish the content of bilirubin in the blood, sodium, potassium, glucose, nitrogen, protein, as well as protein fractions. In urine, the doctor determines the level of protein, acetone, bile pigments and urobilin. The level of Ht can determine how dehydrated the body of the future mother.
Instrumental diagnosis of nausea includes:
- Ultrasound. Examination of the abdominal cavity will assess the condition of not only the bile duct and gallbladder, but also the intestines, kidneys, pancreas;
- acidity test. The study will show the level of acidity in the body. If the study showed that the pH of the stomach is not more than 2.0, this indicates the presence of gastrointestinal 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. For this, a special tool is used - the endoscope. Carried out in case of urgent need.
Differential diagnosis
Differential diagnostics is also carried out. It is necessary to determine the exact diagnosis. As nausea accompanied by various diseases. For example, pancreatitis, gastritis, food poisoning, stomach cancer.
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Treatment of the nausea in early pregnancy
Future mothers are worried about the main question, what to do and how to get rid of nausea in the early stages of pregnancy. There are many effective ways to deal with this problem. However, do not self-medicate. In order not to harm yourself and the future child, it is better to pass the examination and follow the recommendations of the attending physician.
Methods for treating nausea in early pregnancy
Treatment of nausea involves the elimination of the cause of its appearance. Its main goal is to restore metabolism, water-salt metabolism, to establish the work of important organs. Vomiting of severe and moderate degree is treated in the hospital. It is possible to get rid of mild nausea on an outpatient basis.
To eliminate nausea in the evening during pregnancy in the early stages, first of all, you should revise the diet of a pregnant woman. Food should be taken in small portions about 3-4 times a day in a refrigerated form.
Drug treatment involves the use of drugs that can help eliminate nausea and vomiting:
- Motilium. The drug is used for violations of the motor system of the digestive system and severe attacks of nausea. Has antiemetic and antineoplastic effects, blocking neuronal cells dopamine receptors. Contraindications to use: internal bleeding, epilepsy, pain in the abdomen, high blood pressure. According to the instructions, the daily dose of the drug is 1-2 tablets, the reception should be divided into 3 times. Taking Motilium is necessary after eating;
- Cried. Helps to get rid of constant nausea during pregnancy in the early stages. Used for frequent vomiting, nausea, stomach cramps. Dosage is appointed individually by the attending physician. Because the drug can adversely affect the fetal condition. The average daily dose is 10-15 mg 2-3 times. Side effects: dry mouth, weakness, apathy, muscle spasms. If a woman adhered to the recommendations of a specialist and correctly took the drug, as a result of her general condition will improve significantly, the work of the intestine will accelerate;
- Regidron. Diarrhea and nausea in the early stages of pregnancy lead to the excretion of a large amount of fluid from the body. To restore her doctors prescribe this drug. The daily dose of the medicine is 30/60 ml of solution per one kilogram of weight. A liter of warm water is enough for 1 packet of the drug. In the resulting solution it is forbidden to add sugar or its substitutes, as they will reduce the therapeutic effect. Despite the fact that the drug is safe, take it better under the supervision of a doctor;
- Polyphepan. This enterosorbiruyuschee means that helps with diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, has a detoxification effect. It is taken one hour before a meal. It is forbidden to take the drug on your own. The doctor, having conducted an examination, sets the dosage and duration of the course of treatment.
To eliminate nausea and vomiting in the early stages of pregnancy, physical procedures are performed. Physiotherapeutic treatment includes:
- Endonasal electrophoresis. For the procedure, B vitamins are used;
- Electrosleep;
- Galvanization of the brain.
These procedures help suppress the activity of the emetic center in the brain.
The effectiveness of alternative medicine for nausea
To get rid of unpleasant symptoms, many resort to alternative treatment. The most effective means to combat nausea during pregnancy in the early stages of the morning or evening is different:
- Morse from cranberry. To prepare mors, you need to wash and rub around 150-200 grams of cranberries. The crushed berries are poured with boiling water, and boiled for ten minutes. In the juice you can add lemon juice and sugar. Drink the remedy when the first emetic causes;
- potato juice. Potatoes must be crushed with a blender or meat grinder. The resulting liquid is taken with nausea after eating in the early stages of pregnancy, approximately 2 tablespoons;
- to get rid of heartburn and nausea in the early stages of pregnancy, it is recommended the use of pumpkin juice or sunflower seeds.
Nausea at night with early pregnancy leads to sleep and irritability. To get rid of discomfort, you can turn to the treatment of herbs. The most effective and safe broth of melissa. For 1 liter of water, 6 tbsp. L. Herbs. Melis should be poured with boiling water and insist for 3 hours. Take a decoction of 0,5 glasses 4-5 times a day.
Tea from peppermint (20 g), valerian root (15 g), marigold flowers (20 g) and millennia (20 g) are also good. Mixture of herbs pour boiling water (0.5 liters) and infuse for 3 hours. After tea you need to strain and take 6 times a day for three tablespoons.
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 the broth, 1 teaspoon brew in a glass of boiling water. After 10 minutes, the broth should be carefully filtered. You can add honey or lemon juice.
Homeopathic remedies for nausea
Many specialists prefer to prescribe homeopathic remedies, which reduce the emetic attacks and facilitate the general condition of the future mother. To date, from homeopathy the most popular are the following drugs:
- Kokkulin. Tablets eliminate nausea and prevent the occurrence of vomiting, improve appetite. In a day, two tablets are taken three times a day. The drug has no side effects. Contraindications include individual intolerance;
- Sepia. The drug is based on dried ink pharmacy cuttlefish. The drug is prescribed for vomiting attacks, constant nausea, constipation and pain. The duration of the course of treatment and dose is established by the attending physician;
- Ipecacuanha. The product 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;
- Colchicum. When nausea from eating and chills the drug is recommended to take three times a day for three balls (grains).
More information of the treatment
Drugs
Prevention
To not have to suffer from vomiting and nausea during the period of bearing a child, you should carefully prepare for pregnancy. A planned pregnancy will help to avoid the appearance of various unpleasant symptoms.
Also, one should not forget about nutrition. The pregnant woman's diet should be varied. Meals are small 3-4 times a day.
It is advisable not to get involved in physical activity. At the same time, it is necessary to walk for at least three hours a day outdoors, if weather conditions permit. In winter, you should warmly dress to not freeze.
Herbal decoctions are suitable for fighting vomiting and nausea. Before taking them, you should consult a specialist.
It is worth noting that nausea haunts almost all future 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.