Finally, the time has come, you are pregnant, but you are suffering from morning sickness as a side effect, which is already clouding your joy in the first few weeks.
Morning sickness and other side effects that are common during pregnancy also make your life difficult.
Maybe you’re worried that this is a bad sign and have a lot of questions. You’ll find the answers to your questions in our article.
Good news: The body is preparing
Are you wondering why you feel nauseous and vomit?
You already know that you are in early pregnancy and suddenly realize that you can no longer smell certain things and don’t want to eat them?
Don’t worry, the discomfort is unpleasant, but there is good news: your body is preparing for your baby!
Danger Hyperemesis Gravidarum: Particularly severe vomiting
Maybe you’ve heard about hyperemesis gravidarum?
This is an extreme form, with women vomiting violently more than three or four times a day and excreting almost everything they have ingested.
In this case, medical help is urgently needed.
But don’t panic, this complaint is very rare and if you are one of those women who feel sick all day, it does not necessarily mean that you suffer from this phenomenon.
Four out of five women suffer from morning sickness and vomiting, but only 2–3% of pregnant women are affected by the severe form of hyperemesis gravidarum.
They lose a lot of water and weight and usually have to be treated with infusions in the hospital until the phase of extreme vomiting is over.
When does morning sickness occur: The pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) as a trigger
The symptoms usually occur between the 5th and 12th week of pregnancy (SSW).
Doctors are still puzzling over the causes of the nausea. It is suspected that high levels of the pregnancy hormone hCG are responsible.
The hormone affects the digestive tract and sense of smell and taste and is the reason why expectant mothers avoid certain foods that could be harmful to the embryo.
As you probably already know, the hormone HCG is only produced during pregnancy and is released one week after fertilization.
After implantation, HCG levels rise sharply and reach their peak between the ninth and tenth week of pregnancy.
The hormone HCG releases progesterone and estrogen, which promote the growth of the uterine lining in the first weeks of pregnancy and ensure that it is maintained.
Doctors suspect that the hormone estrogen could also be a cause of nausea. It is believed that the higher the estrogen level, the more likely you are to suffer from morning sickness.
Another possible cause could be psychological stress. After all, the biggest change you can experience is taking place in your body, and you’re probably understandably struggling with fears and worries about how everything will turn out.
Any external stress factors should be avoided as much as possible, because what the body has to endure during pregnancy is immense.
However, nausea is a normal symptom of early pregnancy and shouldn’t worry you, even if it lasts throughout the day, not just in the morning. It won’t harm you or your baby.
Morning sickness is particularly often talked about because it actually affects expectant mothers most often in the morning.
At night the stomach is empty and therefore blood sugar levels are low in the morning.
This helps: What you can do yourself to relieve the symptoms
1. The best home remedies for morning sickness
1. Start the day with a snack before you get up
Prepare a snack on your bedside table before you get up in the evening. This will ensure you get energy right after waking up, which will raise your blood sugar levels.
Fruit is ideal, including dried fruit such as raisins or apricots with crispbread, rusks or wholemeal biscuits.
The first meal should be as dry as possible in case you have to vomit in addition to the nausea.
The best way to do this is with herbal tea. Pregnant women are recommended to drink two to three cups of herbal tea daily. The following are safe:
• Fruit tea, rich in minerals and vitamin C
• Fennel with a calming effect on the digestive tract
• Chamomile , which helps with cramps and heartburn
• Rosehip tea, which promotes digestion and strengthens the immune system
• Lavender tea with antibacterial properties
• Rooibos tea, which has a positive effect on the happiness hormone serotonin
• Lemon balm tea, which has an antispasmodic and calming effect
2. Be careful with ginger and peppermint tea
Even though ginger is a natural remedy and ginger tea can help balance the body during pregnancy, caution is advised.
The ginger root has a labor-inducing effect during pregnancy and the spicy substances it contains promote blood circulation.
High doses can, in the worst case, lead to miscarriage. Therefore, you should not take more than 1 gram per day.
Peppermint tea , with its antispasmodic and pain-relieving properties, should also be consumed wisely, not more than one or two cups throughout the day, as excessive consumption can stimulate the uterus.
It is best to consult your gynecologist about this.
3. Small meals on the go
An empty stomach increases nausea, so always be prepared with something to snack on to combat nausea, even when you’re away from home.
Nuts and dried fruits are the best things to enjoy on the go.
It’s even recommended to eat 90 to 200 grams of nuts to boost the unborn child’s brain function. Peanuts, hazelnuts, almonds , pine nuts, and walnuts are excellent options.
By eating smaller meals more often instead of a few large ones, you can also prevent heartburn, which many pregnant women struggle with.
4. Vitamin B
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), which you can find in meat, eggs, whole grain products, bananas, mushrooms, potatoes, peppers, peas, avocados, rice and spinach, has been proven to help against morning sickness.
It may not work for all women, but you can definitely try it.
As a dietary supplement, 10–25 mg is usually taken daily, but it is best to discuss this with your gynecologist.
Vitamin B12 is also important because the body is exposed to greater metabolic demands and it ensures the development of the baby’s brain and cells.
If you are vegan, you no longer have access to natural sources of fish, meat, eggs and milk and you have to rely on dietary supplements.
5. Keep a food diary
Make a note of the times and after which meals you feel nausea and vomiting.
This way you can determine what the triggers are and then avoid them.
6. Add little seasoning and drink plenty
You should be careful to use spices sparingly, avoid fatty foods, and avoid fried foods.
Fluid intake is particularly important, with at least 1.5 liters per day recommended.
7. Exercise and sleep
Getting enough sleep is important because when you are tired and exhausted, you are more likely to feel nauseous.
Pregnancy is one of the biggest challenges your body can experience. So, give yourself plenty of rest and relaxation, and try not to get stressed.
To boost your metabolism and reduce stress, even a walk can be helpful and will definitely do you good.
Half an hour of moderate exercise daily is recommended. You can safely go hiking, swimming, yoga , Pilates, or aerobics during pregnancy.
Just be careful with sports that involve a high risk of falls, such as skiing and horseback riding , or with a high risk of abdominal injuries, such as basketball and soccer.
When you exercise, you get an extra dose of oxygen, which benefits both you and your baby.
8. Aromatherapy
Natural, fresh scents can relieve morning sickness, and you can trust your nose: what smells good helps relieve the symptoms.
Essential oils extracted from bergamot, oranges, lemons, mandarins, peppermint and grapefruit have proven to be effective alternatives to medication.
2. Alternative means and ways
1. A homeopathic remedy: Nux Vomica
Nux Vomica, also known as “Nux Vomica,” is traditionally taken to treat indigestion, abdominal cramps, nausea, and vomiting. This remedy is available as globules, drops, or tablets.
Although homeopathic medicines are considered low-risk, you should still consult your doctor.
2. Acupuncture and acupressure
Acupuncture is a Chinese healing method with a tradition dating back thousands of years.
It now has an established place in pregnancy and is used to relieve pregnancy-related discomforts.
There are very few scientific studies on its effectiveness, with some studies even suggesting it is not beneficial for nausea and vomiting.
However, many pregnant women report positive experiences.
The best way to find out whether acupuncture can help you is to first talk to an experienced therapist about it.
Acupressure is acupuncture without needles. It stimulates acupressure points that directly influence the uterus.
The effectiveness of this method for treating nausea and vomiting was already proven in Great Britain in 1988.
3. Medications for morning sickness
If nothing helps, a visit to the doctor is inevitable. In difficult cases, medication is prescribed.
These are usually antihistamines, which are commonly used by allergy sufferers.
Thousands of pregnant women have been observed using dimenhydriate and diphenhydramine, and side effects and withdrawal symptoms have been observed in newborns.
It’s always important to weigh the benefits and risks of medications. It’s best to consult your doctor for detailed advice.
Final thoughts
Your body is subject to major hormonal fluctuations and changes during pregnancy and has a lot to do.
Nausea and vomiting are part of the experience for many women, but fortunately, in most cases, they can be alleviated through mindfulness and home remedies, so that the joy can grow along with the baby.
