Dealing With Nausea in Pregnancy: Real Talk and Real Relief
Simple Facts:
- 50-80% of women experience pregnancy nausea.
- Usually starts within the first 4-6 weeks and lasts until weeks 12-16.
- During this time in your pregnancy HCG (human growth hormone) is rising in your body.
- Your body is creating more estrogen which can cause nausea.
- Your more likely to experience this if: you are having twins, have a history of nausea with birth control pills or motion sickness, or have a family history of nausea in pregnancy.
I found out I was pregnant with my son, Remy, June 30, 2022. My pregnancy nausea started around week 5, and not long after, I started to vomit and experience lightheadedness. It was during the boiling hot summer that my nausea, lightheadedness, and vomiting worsened. Heat, smells, motion, certain foods, all triggered me and worsened my symptoms. Every morning brushing my teeth, I’m not sure if it was the toothpaste, the toothbrush in my mouth, or a combination of both, but I would gag and vomit every time. During my entire pregnancy brushing my teeth became a dreadful experience. It was brutal!
My doctor first prescribed me Doxylamine combined with Pyridoxine (vitamin B6). This is a common first-line medication doctors prescribe for pregnancy nausea. I tried it out for a couple weeks but, unfortunately, I felt no relief from the medication. The second time I seen the doctor, I got prescribed Ondanestron, also known as Zofran. This medication helped me a tremendous amount! I actually thought it was remarkable that I could go from one medication that absolutely did not work, to another, that had amazing results. It is super important you find the right medication for your body because you want to have the least amount of stress on your body during your pregnancy.
Now, usually around weeks 12-16 pregnancy nausea starts to decrease and you begin to feel better. I however, was diagnosed with hyperemesis gravidarum. This is a condition in pregnancy where you have nausea and vomiting the entire pregnancy.
During the summer I spent a lot of time indoors trying to stay cool, but doing so, I became depressed. One day, my husband and I decided to go to a carnival thinking it would take my mind off of how I felt, but I ended up getting covid-19. I could not eat any types of food without becoming nauseous and I was unable to keep anything down. I went to the hospital because I was losing weight and not eating. They pumped me with fluids and after a few hours of IV I began to feel better. I ended up using the emergency services at the hospital to get fluids three times in my pregnancy because I was so sick, dehydrated, and not getting the nutrients my body was needing. Always make sure to put yourself first, and seek the attention your body needs.
If you or anyone you know is going through this, be patient, and do not push yourself to do more than you should. Listen to your body and rest as often as you need! You are growing a human being and it can be a lot on your body mentally, spiritually, and physically.
My Story About Pregnancy Nausea
What Helps Pregnancy Nausea?
Eating snacks frequently, high in protein and carbohydrates.
Avoid greasy, spicy, or fatty foods.
Foods that help are: plain toast, banana, plain rice, plain crackers, applesauce.
Cold foods are better tolerated by the body rather than warm or hot.
Keep hydrated by drinking about 10 cups of water a day.
Take sips of water because a full stomach can trigger nausea, and eat ice chips if struggling with drinking sips.
Make sure to get lots of rest, lack of sleep can worsen your nausea.
Ginger, vitamin B6, and prescribed medications from the doctor can help relieve symptoms.
Take your prenatal with a snack and before bed to prevent nausea during the day.
You can also try hypnosis, acupuncture, aromatherapy, wristbands, and other holistic forms of therapy.
The Emotional Side of Pregnancy Nausea
If you’re reading this with a bowl of saltines and a water bottle on your nightstand wondering how you will make it through another day - you are not alone!
Pregnancy nausea is so common and honestly one of the worst experiences. It literally feels like a never ending hangover. Sometimes it can be really hard to find any type of relief. You can become frustrated, annoyed, scared, worried, and a lot of women even get depressed. These emotions can interfere with your life when it comes to relationships, motivation, or managing your everyday routines.
Personally, I leaned a lot on my fiancé and family for support. They listened to my feelings and my concerns. Being able to just vent about your nausea can even make you feel better for a short while. I also started journaling how I was feeling everyday to navigate my emotions. Writing down what I was feeling helped me remember this is a short term struggle. I did as well get a puppy, who many people may think is a crazy idea because with a baby on the way it’s a lot of work! But I absolutely loved it and found he helped me so much with anxiety, stress, and depression. These are a few of the support methods I used as well as counselling, facebook pages, and reading up on others who went through the same struggle.
Every person deals with their struggles in a different way. Trying out different things, and talking about your struggles with others can help relieve some of the stress you feel during this time. Put yourself first during your pregnancy, and seek the help you need!