How To Deal With Nausea During Pregnancy

Find out which foods work best for you.

By: Kenrick Austin

If you have even a passing interest in the topic of nausea during pregnancy, then you should take a look at the following article. This enlightening article presents some interesting information on the subject of nausea during pregnancy.

Nausea during pregnancy is common problem that expectant mothers face. Most pregnant women will experience nausea during the first trimester, but some women have problems with nausea throughout their entire pregnancy. While there are the few lucky women who will have no nausea at all during pregnancy, if you are among the majority who do, here a few ideas that can help dramatically reduce the nausea you feel.

On thing you can do to help control nausea during pregnancy is to not allow your stomach to become empty. It is a much better idea to snack all day long than to eat three large meals. When you are feeling ill, eating will be the last thing on your mind. You may not even want to look at food.

However, if you do not eat regularly, your blood sugar levels can drop and actually increase nausea during pregnancy. You should avoid simple carbohydrates such as sugar and candy. Instead, choose whole grains and proteins as these foods will remain in your stomach longer and help prevent your blood sugar levels from spiking.

Drinking plenty of fluids will help prevent nausea during pregnancy. Making sure your body remains hydrated during pregnancy is essential and can also help reduce the nausea you may feel. Dehydration can actually increase nausea during pregnancy. You should avoid soda, caffeine, fruit juice, and coffee. Instead try plenty of water and decaffeinated beverages.

It's really a good idea to probe a little deeper into the subject of nausea during pregnancy. What you learn may give you the confidence you need to venture into new areas.

Expectant mothers have a great deal of anxiety and stress in their lives. Keeping yourself calm and relaxed during can help reduce nausea during pregnancy . Try talking with your spouse and other expectant moms about the stress and worries that you feel. Pregnancy can tend to make you feel isolated from the rest of the world and increase the stress you may be feeling.

If you are feeling anxious and stressed about labor and delivery, reading and educating yourself on the subject and becoming aware of what you can expect during each stage of your pregnancy and delivery can help you feel more comfortable with the changes that are taking place within your body and help you feel less anxious about the labor and delivery process.

Many expectant mothers have found that a prenatal massage from either your partner or a professional helps calm the nerves. Exhaustion can have a negative impact on your body and your mind during pregnancy. A lack of rest can increase nausea during pregnancy. Sleep and rest whenever possible during pregnancy. This will help you feel better in general and help reduce nausea.

Following these simple tips can help relieve some of the discomfort and nausea during pregnancy. Keep in mind that nausea affects the majority of pregnant women at some point during their pregnancy. However, if the nausea you feel becomes unbearable or debilitating, contact your doctor immediately.

If you've picked some pointers about nausea during pregnancy that you can put into action, then by all means, do so. You won't really be able to gain any benefits from your new knowledge if you don't use it.

Pain Relief Options for Childbirth

Many women think that epidural anesthesia is the only form of pain relief offered for childbirth. That is not the case, and though you should talk with your obstetrician about what method would be best for you personally, and here I will outline the more popular forms of pain relief during labor.

Epidural Anesthesia

This is the most popular form of pain relief with 50% of women opting for this method of pain relief. This form of anesthesia is administered directly into the epidural space above the spinal cord intravenously through a catheter. It is administered multiple times using a small amount of anesthesia every time this procedure numbs your body from the waist down and is effective within half an hour and lasts a few hours post-birth.

Spinal Anesthesia

This form of anesthesia uses a smaller needle than with an epidural, but it is placed in the same location in the lower back. Instead of being administered into the epidural sack the anesthesia is injected directly into the spinal fluid so that the onset of numbness is immediate. Spinal needles drastically decrease the risk of severe headache follow administration of anesthesia.

Combined Epidural Block/Walking Epidural

This procedure uses both spinal and epidural techniques that provide pain relief during labor almost instantaneously. Medication is administered through an epidural catheter and once the block is in place less numbness occurs than with a regular epidural. Many women are able to still walk around after medication had been administered which is why the procedure is more commonly known as the "walking epidural.

Local Anesthesia

This form of anesthesia is injected into the vaginal and rectal areas at the time of delivery, usually by your obstetrician. Local anesthetics provide a numbness or total loss of sensation to a small area. This technique lessens the pain of delivery, but it does not lessen the pain of your contractions.

Intrathecal Anesthesia

This procedure is administered the same as the spinal and epidural anesthesia, through the epidural sack. The difference is that instead of receiving a continuous flow of medication it is administered in a single dose. The procedure gives less of a numbing sensation so that it allows the women to feel contractions easier to assist in the delivery of the baby easier.

Shot or I.V. 

This is the least natural option for pain relief during labor and childbirth. These drugs are injected into a muscle or vein to dull the pain. These medications affect your baby more than epidural anesthesias do, and have higher risks associated with them. This medication will make both you and your child sleepy through the procedure and are prescribed by your obstetrician. 

Frequently Asked Questions about Epidural Anesthesia

Epidural anesthesia is the single most popular form of pain relief used during labor and is utilized by more than 50% of woman. The procedure uses multiple doses of local anesthetic administered directly into the epidural space that surrounds the spinal cord to relieve the pain of child birth. There are benefits and disadvantages to this form of pain relief. So, here is a list of frequently asked questions about epidural anesthesia:

 What should an epidural NOT be used?

An epidural should not be administered if you have a low platelet count, use blood thinners, have a blood infection, or are hemorrhaging. An epidural won't be administered before you are 4cm dilated, or if the labor is moving too fast.

 Does an epidural hurt?

The position you have to be in may be uncomfortable, although you don't have to be in it for long. Some women experience some discomfort during the administration of the anesthesia, usually there's a feeling pressure as the catheter is being placed.

 What are the side effect of epidural anesthesia?

The most common side effects observed are  nausea, shivering, ringing in the ears, backache or soreness at injection site, or difficulty urinating.

 How does an epidural affect my labor?

An epidural can cause your labor to slow down, or stop altogether, and may make contractions weaker. If this happens Pitocin may be administered to help speed your labor back up.

 What are the advantages of an epidural?

• in cesarean sections the use of an epidural is safer than that of general anesthesia.
• provides great pain relief while the mother remains alert.
• very little of the medication reaches your baby.
• allows rest during prolonged labor.

 What are some disadvantages of an epidural? 

• decreased ability and urge to push.
• makes you unable to walk or stand while drug is in effect.
• may cause your blood pressure to drop suddenly.
• frequently requires the use of a urinary catheter.

 What are the risks to the baby?

Very little of this anesthesia reaches the baby, but some risks-though rare-develop. Including, respiratory depression, short-term irritability, and increased chances of fetal distress.

 What are the risks to me?

The risks associated to the mother include fever and a drop in blood pressure. Also, some women experience a severe headache postbirth or long term backaches.

 Are there other forms of pain relief offered for labor?

Yes, some pain relief options include analgesia, spinal anesthesia, IV or shot, etc. All forms of pain relief during labor offer advantages and risks to both mother and child, so check with your doctor to see what method is best for you.

What To Expect During Your Second Trimester of Pregnancy.

So you survived morning sickness and got more used to that growing belly, now its time for the easiest few months of your pregnancy. This section will overview your second trimester, broken down by the month:

Month Four of Pregnancy:

During the second trimester you’ll notice your body change shape due to weight gain, average weight gain during weeks 14-17 is close to 15 lbs. Even though the nausea that accompanied the last few months should be gone you will start to fell other symptoms. These include: increased appetite, change in body appearance, milky discharge, nasal congestion, heartburn, and trouble sleeping. Your baby is now about the size of a melon, you will also feel a hardening under your bellybutton because the placenta will now be fully formed. Towards the end of this month you should start to feel movement from your baby.

Month Five of Pregnancy:

During the fifth month your pregnancy will become more real, this should be when you start making plans for adjusting your life around having a child and start preparing for the baby. Your belly will become more rounded, making it almost necessary to switch to maternity clothing. You will also be feeling more achy and fatigued, and may experience soreness and backaches. Also, you may get swelling in hands, legs, feet, and face. Doctors visits may become more frequent around this time, and you will also have to decide if you want to know the sex of the child before he is born.

Month Six of Pregnancy:

During month six there will be a noticeable increase in your baby's size and you should be able to feel the baby move on a regular basis. In month six other people may be able to feel the stronger movements or kicks of the baby. This month can get a little overwhelming emotionally after all the overwhelming changes to body and mind in the last 6 months. Prenatal care will be especially necessary now that you're getting closer to your due date so it's good to be comfortable with your physician or mid-wife by now, so that they can give you tips and pointers to making the duration of your pregnancy more comfortable.

You've now reached the last trimester. Good luck!

What to Expect Durring Your First Trimester of Pregnancy

Once you find out you're pregnant your life could seem like its turning upside down. So, it's a good idea to get some information on what you should expect for the duration of your pregnancy. This article will detail some of the changes you (and your baby!) may experience during your first trimester of pregnancy.

The First Month:
The first couple of weeks during your pregnancy are going to be the easiest on you. You might not even know now that you are pregnant. If it was a planned pregnancy, all you need to worry about for the time being is checking into finding an OBGYN that you like & figuring out how to tell family and friends that you're expecting. Emotionally, you may have feelings of fear, insecurity, or elation. During pregnancy, your body's hormone levels will be changing. Elevated hormones means elevated emotional responses. 

You may also start getting symptoms of morning sickness during this month, call a doctor immediately if you start having severe abdominal issues,vaginal bleeding, headaches or dizziness. You should start thinking about taking vitamin supplements such as folic acid, iron, and calcium. These nutrients are all vital to the babys development--especially in the first and second trimesters.


The Second Month:
During this second month you will start to see more noticeable changes in  your body such as your pants getting tighter or your bra being more filled out. You should be taking prenatal vitamins daily now, and towards the 8th or 9th week you should have your first prenatal visit. Your partner should be with you if possible during this examination because most of the time will be spent answering questions about each of your family histories. 

As far as your body is concerned, you may still have some morning sickness although it should subside around the end of the month. Some other symptoms you may experience this month are swelling of the hands and feet, constipation and indigestion. Your breasts will become heavier and you may get goose bumps on your areola. Also you may get a slight, whitish vaginal discharge.
As far as your baby by the end of this month he or she will have developed their eyes, ears, nose and tongue as well as most of their vital organs. Complete with fingers and toes, your baby at this point will be about an inch or so long.


The Third Month: 
Now you reach the end of your first trimester, with this you may have achieved a new sense of overall physical and emotional calmness. You may start wanting to look into maternity clothing at this point to make yourself more comfortable. During this 3rd month many women experience a change in their sex drive. This could either be increased or decreased sexual desire. If you remain sexually active, you may start getting cramping after orgasm. 

Now something exciting! It is during this month's doctors visit you will get to hear your child's heartbeat for the first time and possibly even be able to determine the sex of the child. Your baby is now about the size of an apple and is technically a fetus now. You only have 6 months left before all this trouble becomes worth it!