The fragrance of soap, flowers, shampoo, toothpaste or the smell of certain foods like milk can result in nausea for Divya Bhagawan, a techie from Bengaluru. Divya, who just completed her first trimester, suffers from morning sickness. “It’s the constant feeling of nausea that affects me, though I don’t throw up all the time,” says Divya. Her appetite has gone for a toss, as she gags every time she comes across food. “Brushing in the morning is difficult because the smell of toothpaste is unbearable,” says Divya, voicing the concerns of many expectant mothers.
Moreover, she cannot finish her food because of nausea; so she has small portions throughout the day. While most women have morning sickness during pregnancy, some face hyperemesis gravidarum, a persistent and severe form of nausea.
It’s common to experience morning sickness during pregnancy. For many women, it is cumbersome as they have worse symptoms. It can be managed, however, with these healthy tips offered by experts.
Why does morning sickness occur during pregnancy?
Morning sickness is experienced largely in the first trimester or the first three months of pregnancy, says Dr Nandhini Elumalai, gynecologist, Fortis Hospital, Vadapalani, Chennai. “It is called morning sickness as most women experience it in the morning (when it’s most frequent). Many women experience it all day too in the first trimester or it can happen throughout pregnancy as well,” she explains.
During pregnancy, the placenta in the uterus produces a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropins (HCGs). “The HCGs thicken the uterine lining and support pregnancy. High levels of HCG cause nausea,” says Dr Nandhini, adding that these symptoms usually subside after the second trimester.
Morning sickness and triggers
Sehba Faina, a senior verbal trainer from Chennai and a mother to a five-month-old son, recalls the time she felt nausea due to a strong scent. “I avoided strong perfumes and scents of sweets. Sometimes even the smell of chicken and fish would be annoying,” she says.
She also mentions how confined spaces would make her feel woozy. “I never really felt claustrophobic before my pregnancy, but during pregnancy, I avoided poorly ventilated small spaces,” says Faina.
Ways to manage morning sickness during pregnancy
Though morning sickness is inevitable in most cases, it can be managed. Dr Nandhini suggests a few tips for pregnant women.
- Keep track of triggers and avoid them to alleviate such circumstances.
- Don’t eat or use anything with strong scents if they are your major triggers.
- If toothpaste leads to nausea, brush after eating fruits or dry fruits.
- Use milder soap if the soap fragrance is a trigger.
Pregnancy nausea can also be triggered by stress, says Dr Rekha G Daver, consultant, department of obstetrics and gynaecology, Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, Mumbai, adding that an expectant mother must surround herself with a solid support system.
Women can consult their healthcare provider for more information about their pregnancy, especially if it is their first pregnancy, says Nandhini. “The very thought of morning sickness can put off a woman from thinking of conceiving again. Counselling or cognitive therapy can help understand their emotions better,” she says.
Is morning sickness a warning sign?
Some pregnant women may vomit profusely for many days continuously. “Such situations need immediate medical attention as it could be a case of hyperemesis gravidarum,” Dr Rekha warns. Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is a pathological condition where uncontrollable nausea results in the loss of fluids and electrolytes leading to dehydration and weight loss. “Those with hyperemesis gravidarum will not be ingesting anything orally and will be on IV fluids for twenty-four hours post-admission,” she says.
Increased levels of HCG hormone are a major cause of HG. “It’s so dangerous that it can lead to jaundice and can even affect the brain.”
Remedies for morning sickness
In addition to medications for dealing with morning nausea, Dr Rekha recommends incorporating natural and healthy diet changes instead.
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Eat dry fruits that are sweet
Consuming dry fruits like Anjeer (fig), kharek (dry dates), jardalu (apricot) before brushing your teeth in the morning can alleviate nausea and help manage glucose levels.
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Avoid fried or spicy food
Though there are no food restrictions for pregnant women, avoiding fried or spicy food is better as they are difficult to digest and can trigger nausea.
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Consume less water during meals
Staying hydrated during pregnancy is essential, but limit water intake while eating. HCG hormone levels are very high during pregnancy, thereby reducing stomach and intestinal motility.
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Mid-morning and mid-evening snacks
Because of low metabolism during pregnancy, the food eaten may not be digested properly in the stomach, resulting in vomiting. Eating small quantities at different intervals and including healthy snacks like fruits or dry fruits is suggested to ease nausea. Blackcurrants are ideal as they are rich in fructose and roughage (fibre). This can ease nausea as well as constipation.
Takeaways
- Morning sickness is a common phenomenon during pregnancy especially during the first trimester due to increased HCG hormone levels.
- Extreme morning sickness can lead to hyperemesis gravidarum, resulting in exhaustion and weight loss. Seek medical attention in case of extreme morning sickness.
- Healthy dietary changes and avoiding triggers can help combat morning sickness.
