What Causes Vomiting During Pregnancy and How To Stop It?

Pregnancy is a wonderful phase in a woman’s life. The knowledge that you are about to create a life, is an empowering experience. However, pregnancy is also accompanied with a lot many challenges. One of these many challenges that, would-to-be mothers have to deal with; is vomiting. Now, what causes vomiting during pregnancy and how to stop it? To know about these, read the current post.

Nausea and vomiting are common when you are pregnant. Most of the women get mild to moderate symptoms of vomiting during their first trimester of pregnancy. These symptoms are usually gone by the 4th month. In very rare case, a pregnant woman may experience a more serious condition involving severe vomiting and dehydration along with weight loss and the condition is called Hyperemesis gravidarum.

Talking about vomiting during pregnancy; what exactly cause it? Early on in your pregnant phase, vomiting is usually caused by high levels of the HCG hormone, which results in morning sickness and the more severe form or excessive vomiting or hyperemesis gravidarum.

However, in later phases of pregnancy, vomiting and nausea can be caused due to severe heartburn or acid reflux, early labor, preeclampsia or due to HELLP, i.e. Hemolysis elevated liver enzymes and low platelet count syndrome. Apart from this, some women may have vomiting during later phase of pregnancy because of food poisoning or stomach flu.

It is always essential for you to consult with your doctor in case you suffer from excessive vomiting during pregnancy.

There are several options for treating vomiting. We will talk about some of the medical treatments, home remedies and also eating pattern that can help you stop vomiting during pregnancy.

• You need to pay special attention on your eating pattern during pregnancy so as to stop or reduce vomiting.
• Eat toast, cereals, crackers, or other dry foods in the morning before getting out of bed. It is good to eat cheese, lean meat, or other high-protein snack before your bedtime.
• Moreover, sip fluids like fruit juices, water, or ice chips throughout the day. But make sure not to drink lots of fluid at one time.
• It is also essential for you to eat small meals or snacks every 2 to 3 hours instead of 3 large meals every day.
• Avoid foods that have strong odors and also do not eat fried, greasy or spicy foods.

Water: Water in its natural form could never be replaced by anything else. Try drinking water if you vomit frequently, so as to retain the essential salts and minerals in your body.

You must drink at least 8 glasses of water per day so as to keep yourself hydrated and also to improve digestion. You can also suck some ice cubes so as to prevent the feeling of nausea or vomiting.

Lemon: Lemon, because of its citrus flavor, provides instant relief from nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. In addition, lemon being rich in minerals helps in improving overall well-being.

Simply squeeze half a lemon into a glass of warm water and add a teaspoon of honey and drink the juice regularly in the morning. Alternatively, you may also inhale lemon essential oil sprinkled to a handkerchief to get instant relief.

Ginger: Ginger is one of the most effective home remedies to stop vomiting during pregnancy. The taste or smell of ginger helps you reduce the feeling of nausea and vomiting. Ginger improves the digestion and also reduces the acidity in the stomach.

Ginger can be taken in several ways to curb vomiting. Drink ginger tea in the morning or take ginger candy; as you feel good. You can also eat a raw piece of ginger or snack on ginger cookies any time during the day.

Apple Cider Vinegar: One more home remedy to stop vomiting during pregnancy could be apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar possesses antimicrobial properties and is loaded with essential acids. It neutralizes the acid in the stomach and maintains the pH of your body, thus ceasing the feeling of nausea and vomiting.

You can consume apple cider vinegar in the morning by mixing one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar and honey with warm water. You can also consume apple cider vinegar in small quantities during the day.

Oranges: Oranges can also help in providing you relief from nausea and vomiting, as they contain citric acid. You can find relief as soon as you inhale the aroma. Moreover, oranges are also considered to be one of the most craved fruit during pregnancy.

You can just inhale the freshness of oranges or can sip orange juice so as to alleviate the vomiting sensation.

Peppermint: Peppermint is an effective herb which is known for its calming effects on the stomach. You can also consume this herb to stop vomiting during pregnancy.
To use peppermint, you can prepare peppermint tea by adding dried peppermint to hot boiling water along with honey and drink this concoction in the morning. You can also simply chew on peppermint leaves or eat peppermint candies. Apart from this, you can also sprinkle a few drops of peppermint essential oil on a handkerchief and keep smelling it whenever you feel vomiting sensation.

Clove: Clove provides relief from diarrhea, indigestion, nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. Simply chew on a clove bud whenever you feel like vomiting. You may also add 2-3 cloves to boiling water or tea so as to make a clove tea and drink it to get instant relief.

Yogurt: Yogurt has a wonderful effect on vomiting and nausea. Being rich in probiotics or good bacteria which improve digestion, yogurt helps in reducing the feeling of vomiting.

You can consume one bowl of yogurt 1-2 times in a day for a sated feeling, or just add fresh strawberries or any other fruit of your choice to enhance the flavor.

Cinnamon: One more home remedy that can be used to stop vomiting during pregnancy is cinnamon. It is a widely used spice in the Indian recipes and it can also be used to alleviate the morning sickness, vomiting and nausea during pregnancy.

You can prepare some cinnamon tea by adding a 1 inch of cinnamon stick to a cup of boiling water and simmer for 10 minutes; then let it cool and add a teaspoon of honey to it. Drink this cinnamon tea whenever you feel like vomiting. This tea helps in improving the digestion.

Almonds: Almonds contain high protein content and are also a rich source of essential nutrients. They help in digestion and also known to provide relief from vomiting and nausea during pregnancy.

You can eat 2-3 almonds during the day or can consume 1-12 soaked almonds at night before bed, so as to reduce vomiting or morning sickness.

Kiwi: Known to be loaded with vital minerals and vitamins, Kiwi is a naturally rich source of minerals like potassium, folate, vitamin C, vitamin E and vitamin K. It also has a high water content which keeps you hydrated even after vomiting several times during the day.

You can consume it along with your fruit salad or can blend it with banana and a cup of water and sprinkle some honey to prepare a refreshing kiwi drink.

Fennel Seeds: There is another home remedy that can be beneficial in reducing vomiting during pregnancy. The aroma of fennel seeds is very soothing and refreshing and the seeds themselves are great to keep vomiting or morning sickness at bay.

You may chew on fennel seeds whenever you get a feeling vomiting or nausea and you can get instant relief. You may also prepare fennel tea by adding the seeds to a cup of hot water and simmer for 10 minutes. Strain the concoction and add a teaspoon of honey and drink the tea in the morning to get the benefits.

Cumin Seeds: Cumin seeds are one more effective home remedy for vomiting and nausea. Just add a few cumin seeds to boiling water and simmer for a few minutes. Strain and drink 2-3 times in a day so as to eradicate vomiting, nausea and morning sickness.

Vitamin Supplements: There are evidence that suggest that vitamin B 6 supplements help in reducing nausea and vomiting. The suggested dose is 25 to 50 mg every 8 hours, and it can be given as an injection up to 100 mg. there are no known harmful effects of this vitamin when taken at these doses. However, make sure you always consult with your doctor before taking any vitamin supplement or any kind of medicines during pregnancy.

Acupressure: Acupressure works well in providing you relief from vomiting during pregnancy. Stimulation of Nei Guan or the P acupressure point on the wrist (on the inside of the wrist, where a watchband is worn), has been suggested as a method to reduce vomiting and nausea. You can press on this area with your thumb or finger or can buy an acupressure band. These acupressure bands are usually sold as motion sickness treatments, so check the same with your local drug store.

Aromatherapy: You can try aromatherapy of lavender essential oil and peppermint. Simply, put 3 drops of lavender essential oil with 1 peppermint in the diffuser and inhale the vapors. Spray some lemongrass or orange essential oil on your handkerchief and sniff it to stop vomiting or prevent it naturally.

Over-The-Counter Medications: There are two OTC medications or antihistamines, diphenhydramine or Benadryl and Dimenhydrinate or Dramamine; which have shown their effectiveness in improving nausea and vomiting. Although both of these over-the-counter medications are believed to be safe in pregnancy, you must discuss the risks and benefits of these medicines with your doctor, before taking them.

Glucose Fructose And Phosphoric Acid: Glucose, fructose and phosphoric acid are available over-the-counter. These solutions may reduce the muscle contractions in the wall of the stomach and intestines. The normal dose of this solution is 1-2 tablespoons every 15 minutes for no more than 5 doses in a day.

Know When To Call Doctor: You must know that seeking medical help is very much essential if vomiting is so severe or constant that you cannot keep down fluids or food.

You will have to talk to your doctor in case you suffer from severe frequent vomiting during pregnancy. Your doctor will try to stop the vomiting either by hydration, i.e. by giving fluids by IV or by mouth, or with medications.

You will be give plenty of fluids to replace crucial electrolytes, such as potassium and may also receive thiamine or vitamin B1, either as an injection or IV, depending on how long you have been vomiting. Once these goals are met appropriately, you may be given anti-nausea medications or antiemetics to prevent or reduce nausea and vomiting. Some of the medications include Ondansetron or Zofran, Promethazine or Phenergan, Prochlorperazine or Compazine, Metoclopramide or Reglan, Trimethobenzamide or Togan, Doxylamine succinate and Pyridoxine hydrochloride.

In case you still vomit and become severely dehydrated, you may be admitted to the hospital

So, now we know what can be causing vomiting during pregnancy and how to stop it. If you are expecting baby and are suffering from vomiting in your pregnant phase, do follow the above remedies. However, it is always advisable to consult your doctor before adopting any new eating pattern, taking any medication or following any home remedy during your pregnancy.

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