What is the reason for vomiting during pregnancy? I can remember spending hours on the internet and asking a series of unending questions just to find the perfect answer. The major reason behind my concerns was the way I felt at certain points in time.
Yes, before my first pregnancy, I have heard a lot about morning sickness and was well aware that morning sickness and vomiting was a sign of pregnancy. But experiencing it myself, I didn’t expect it to be so horrible – honestly speaking.
Another thing was that I was very concerned about the health and development of the baby in my womb. Come to think of it, I was worried that my baby may be affected as a result of my constant morning sickness and vomiting during pregnancy. I was determined to uncover the reason for vomiting during pregnancy and bent on preventing it as much as possible.
Before we go further, let us make one thing clear – women naturally deliver healthy infants despite the occurrence of morning sickness and vomiting during pregnancy. Contrary to what I thought – and was so worried about, there is no known reason for vomiting during pregnancy that is directly linked to the poor development of the baby.
In this article, we have provided all the information you need to know about vomiting during pregnancy and morning sickness. At the end of this article, you will be well equipped to handle vomiting during pregnancy and morning sickness – as they say, information is power.
Is Vomiting During Pregnancy Normal?
To directly answer this question – as I always like to do – yes, vomiting during pregnancy is normal. It is a common occurrence to experience nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, especially in the first three months of pregnancy.
Within the first trimester (three months), a nursing mother is most likely to experience these symptoms, but they usually end by the fourth month – so, you should be prepared. Like I mentioned earlier, this condition is usually referred to as morning sickness – although in some cases, the symptoms are likely to persist throughout the day.
On very rare occasions, however, a pregnant woman could experience some more serious symptoms which include severe vomiting, weight loss and dehydration. In such cases, it is advisable to consult a medical professional who is experienced in mother and child care.
Reasons And Causes of Vomiting During Pregnancy
To date, there is no significant reason or cause behind vomiting during pregnancy – despite the fact that it is experienced by a large percentage of pregnant women. As a result of this, vomiting during pregnancy is not something that one can take conscious measures to prevent – just as every lady would want to.
However, from research, vomiting during pregnancy has been traced to the changes in hormones that occur as a result of the pregnancy. The fluctuations in the hormonal levels lead to contraction and relaxation of the muscles around the stomach area during pregnant. These changes in the stomach and intestine can lead to stomach upset which prompts vomiting in pregnant women.
The hormones that are basically responsible for this condition due to their activeness once a woman becomes pregnant are estrogen, progesterone and Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) – commonly known as the pregnancy hormone.
Also, other factors can contribute to vomiting during pregnancy, and they include family history and internal biological build-up. For example, a woman who is from a family with a history of Hyperemesis Gravidarum (a medical terminology for severe nausea and vomiting by women during pregnancy) is very likely to experience severe vomiting during pregnancy. Interestingly, despite all the time and resources spent on trying to uncover the cause of Hyperemesis Gravidarum, there has not been any success to date.
There are also some more popular reasons and theories that are considered as the reasons and causes of vomiting during pregnancy; we have highlighted a few below.
3 Reasons for Vomiting During Pregnancy
1. Changes in Hormonal Levels
Just like we discussed earlier, this is the number one reason which vomiting during pregnancy has been traced to. The rise in the level of the pregnancy hormone – the Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) is believed to play a major role in the changes women experience during pregnancy, including vomiting.
Three other hormones – the Thyrotoxicosis, Serotonin and Hyperthyroidism hormones are also believed to be responsible for vomiting during pregnancy. As you may already know, the female body is an ocean of hormones – unlike the case with men who have only their testosterone hormone to deal with.
Serotonin hormone is secreted by the brain, and affects the central nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract in women – leading to vomiting during pregnancy.
2. The Effect of Bacteria
Bacteria? Yes, bacteria. There is a bacterium known as the Helicobacter Pylori Bacteria which lives in the intestine, capable of causing peptic ulcer disease in women. This bacterium exists in a very high percentage in pregnant women and women with Hyperemesis Gravidarum.
There is no need for panic, however, because regular antibiotics are capable of treating this bacteria infection effectively. So, taking a mild antibiotic medication when you are vomiting during pregnancy is not such a bad idea. But always consult a medical expert before taking any medication because self-medication can be harmful to both you and your unborn child.
3. Result of Psychosocial Effect
According to some researchers, a pregnant woman can vomit during pregnancy as a result of psychological effects from activities in the home or her environment. Many women naturally vomit when crying or irritated, so those who favour this reason claim that the same goes for those who vomit during pregnancy.
Although not entirely debunking the possibility of a psychological effect resulting in vomiting during pregnancy, other researchers believe that this is less likely to be a reason why women experience vomiting during pregnancy. To be on the safer side, it is best to speak to your doctor about this, especially if you do not believe your vomiting during pregnancy is as a result of the other possibilities.
How to Stop Vomiting in Pregnancy – Home Remedies
I am a firm believer in home remedies, and I always advise nursing mothers and caregivers to have a good level of understanding and mastery of home remedies. You won’t master everything overnight and there is bound to be a lot of trial and error, but one thing is certain – you can never go wrong with homemade remedies.
To stop vomiting in pregnancy, there are certain home remedies that you can employ. In compiling this list, I selected only the remedies I have tried and consider effective. So, yes there are other home remedies to stop vomiting in pregnancy that was not captured in this section.
6 Home Remedies Used to Stop Vomiting in Pregnancy
1. Get as Much Rest as Possible
If anyone ever told you that pregnancy was a walk in the pack, they lied! There are days – especially the first few weeks after all the excitement when you will feel so overwhelmed, restless and confused. To stop vomiting in pregnancy, and for your overall well-being, you should get as much rest as you can.
2. Eat Ginger – It Helps
Ginger is used for many home remedies, and it is a known remedy for the control and cure of nausea – which is a known trigger for vomiting in pregnant women. Personally, I like ginger and use it in my meals, but I know that many women do not like the smell or taste of ginger. Well, you should, because eating ginger can stop vomiting during pregnancy.
3. Peppermint Aromatherapy
What this means is simply to smell peppermint. Yes, different studies have shown that the strong smell of peppermint is able to significantly reduce the possibility of a pregnant woman vomiting. So, all you need to do is smell some peppermint – or you can take a few, and while at it, be sure to inhale the mint through your throats and nasal area.
4. The Smell of Lemon
Lemons have a strong citric smell which can help to control vomiting in pregnant women. In the morning, wash and slice fresh lemons – inhaling the strong citrusy smell in the process. For a more effective result, you could squeeze the lemon peels close to your nose and mouth to reduce the chances of nausea and vomiting.
5. The Use of Spices
According to research, there are certain spices that can help to control vomiting in pregnant women – this is as a result of their strong and therapeutic aroma. Top on the list of these spices are; fennel powder, cinnamon, and cumin extract. The best way to achieve the best result with these spices is to use them in meals in considerable quantity.
6. Acupuncture or Acupressure
The use of acupuncture and acupressure are old traditional remedies employed by the Chinese in the treatment of vomiting and nausea. It involves the piercing of thin needles into specific sections of the human body. Before you venture into this procedure, you should have a good understanding of it, or better still, have someone who is an expert in the field. In my case, I employed the service of a professional and it worked.
What to Eat And Do After Vomiting During Pregnancy
Before we go on to discuss what you should eat after vomiting during pregnancy, let us discuss what you should do. Well, it is simple – do nothing! After vomiting during pregnancy, you should get enough rest to enable you relax your nerves and regain your lost strength.
With regards to what you should eat; you should eat, start with the quantity. Try to eat in small portions and bits to reduce every chance of vomiting again. But you should make sure that there is food in your stomach, otherwise, you will increase the chances of vomiting.
You should consider eating salty crackers, prawn crackers or a protein-based meal. Other foods you should consider eating include; fruits like pears, bananas, or citrus fruits in the mornings. For evenings before bed, go with protein-based meals to help regulate your glucose levels. You should avoid foods with a high amount of fat, caffeine or spice – as these can stimulate vomiting by causing your system to release stomach acids.
How Much Vomiting is Too Much During Pregnancy?
As we have highlighted in this article, vomiting during pregnancy, otherwise known as morning sickness is a natural and common occurrence. However, there are times when the vomiting becomes too much and the pregnant lady will need medical intervention.
But how do you know when vomiting during pregnancy becomes too much? Well, it is pretty easy, and we will discuss it thoroughly. On a normal note, women who are pregnant are likely to experience nausea and vomit once or twice daily.
In cases where the morning sickness lasts the whole day or the vomiting occurs more frequently – more than three or four times each, it is a sign that the vomiting is too much during pregnancy. When the vomiting is too much, it can lead to the pregnant woman losing more than 10 pounds – which is not healthy for the pregnant woman and developing baby.
Helpful Tips to Manage Vomiting During Pregnancy
When vomiting during pregnancy, there are some helpful tips that you should consider to help you manage vomiting during pregnancy. These tips are easy to adopt, and trust me when I say they will save you a great deal of headaches.
Below I have listed some helpful tips that can assist you to manage vomiting during pregnancy. Check them out.
10 Helpful Tips to Help Manage Vomiting During Pregnancy
1. Try to rest as much as you can.
2. Sniff lemon or any citrus fruit to help control nausea feelings.
3. Discuss your morning sickness experience with a medical professional.
4. Always stay hydrated to give your body balance for optimal metabolism.
5. Eat right and avoid foods that are too spicy or greasy.
6. Eat in bits rather than a single large meal.
7. Include ginger in your diets and a lump of ginger if you can.
8. Stay clear from triggers such as computer and television screens.
9. Distract yourself with exercise or yoga.
10. Consider using mild antibiotic medication in case of bacterial infection. Meanwhile, make sure you consult your doctor before taking any medication.
