Nausea during pregnancy

Mrs. S. complains of her constant nausea in early pregnancy. She can hardly eat anything and drinking is also difficult. Added to this is her sensitivity to smells, which results in immense weakness. But there is nothing that can be done, Mrs. S. says resignedly during the mother-child pass interview.

Nausea is one of the most common pregnancy symptoms that occurs at the beginning of pregnancy due to hormonal changes.

However, a woman is not always or continuously plagued with nausea during pregnancy. Some do not experience nausea at all, others only at certain times of the day or under certain conditions. Still others are "only" sensitive to smells and react to them with nausea and sometimes vomiting.

Stress always leads to deterioration

You can have a positive effect on nausea during pregnancy by trying to reduce any stress as much as possible, as this always leads to a worsening and exacerbation of the problem. The demands that women today (have to) meet are enormous.
This includes everyday demands such as job, family, relationships, household, etc. as well as numerous thoughts that women have during this time of change.

Fears about the future with a child (“Can I handle all this?”, “Will I be a good mother?”, “Is my baby healthy?”) and even fear of giving birth often become constant companions.

If underlying diseases or an unhealthy lifestyle are also present, this usually manifests itself in a more or less severe urge to vomit. Vomiting, disgust for food, headaches, melancholy or slight irritability are also very common problems.

“Affected women should make sure to plan enough breaks and time for pleasant activities.”

Fortunately, hyperemesis - severe, uncontrollable vomiting - with disruption of the water and electrolyte balance is rare. This form may require hospitalization and treatment.

“Normal” morning sickness, on the other hand, can be managed at home with a few changes and alternative therapies.

Affected women should make sure to plan enough breaks, take power naps if necessary, eat and drink well and plan soothing activities such as a massage, listening to music, or having a good conversation.

Tips against nausea:

Reduction of physical and psychological stress: I always advise my patients to look within themselves and think about which circumstances are causing stress in the current situation. They should then decide for themselves which factors can be changed or eliminated in order to achieve greater well-being.
Eat a little something before getting up.
When you feel hungry, eat immediately! It is important to carry small meals (e.g. nuts, a piece of fruit, etc.) in your handbag and to eat them even in slightly more unpleasant
situations (e.g. during a meeting). In most cases, an explanation about the fact of pregnancy is met with absolute understanding by the participants in the meeting.
Eating things that you are more likely to crave.
If drinking water is not possible (often associated with pregnancy nausea), you can drink flavored water (eg lemon, orange, mint, etc.) or diluted juice. This is much better than not drinking anything, because then the next problem arises. Not drinking enough promotes dizziness, general weakness, urinary tract infections or even constipation during pregnancy!
Sufficient sleep and moderate exercise.
Therapies such as homeopathy, acupuncture, acupressure, acupuncture massage, etc. are also very helpful. They usually reduce or even stop pregnancy nausea. Many midwives offer such therapies and support.

“Adaptation processes during pregnancy offer the opportunity to stand up for yourself and your baby now.”

Not only annoying companions but also opportunity

This stressful "state of emergency" usually only lasts until the 12th week of pregnancy and is therefore foreseeable. Nevertheless, I would like to encourage all women to seek help in this regard. There is no need to simply give in to the nausea, because...

… A WOMAN IS HERSELF!

The adjustment processes during pregnancy, the changes, etc. are not only annoying companions, but also the opportunity to tackle situations that have long been in need of change and to stand up for yourself (and the baby).

I wish you a lot of courage to accept this challenge of life and to use the incredible personal development potential of pregnancy!

midwife Maria Guldner

Maria Guldner works as a freelance and employed midwife in Upper Austria. Her focus is on birth preparation using acupuncture and acupressure. She is one of the few who offers birth support, which means going to the hospital with your own midwife. The mother of three sons sees her job as a calling.