Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy: what causes it and can it be relieved?

In the first trimester of pregnancy, one of the most common discomforts is nausea and vomiting. Although it is often said that this nausea and vomiting are most common in the morning, the truth is that they can occur at any time of the day.

However, pregnant women can take into account certain recommendations and put into practice some remedies that may help to alleviate this discomfort.

What causes nausea and vomiting in pregnancy?

Nausea and vomiting are quite common in pregnancy, up to 80% of pregnant women. In addition, this nausea and vomiting usually appear as early as around the 4th-7th week of gestation, making it one of the first symptoms of pregnancy.

This discomfort may be present during the first trimester and disappear around the 10th to 16th week. However, some pregnant women may experience nausea and vomiting throughout most of their pregnancy. The cause of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy is not completely clear. It is thought that the reason may be related to the hormonal changes of pregnancy, as nausea may be more present in multiple pregnancies.

Although they are uncomfortable and annoying and, therefore, may suggest that something is wrong, this nausea and vomiting are considered normal in pregnancy and do not affect the evolution of the pregnancy.

Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy

On the other hand, there are occasions when nausea and vomiting are continuous, intense and prevent the pregnant woman from retaining any food or liquid. This situation would lead to weight loss, dehydration and may cause certain complications for the mother and baby. This more severe expression of nausea and vomiting is referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum.

You can read more about severe nausea and vomiting in pregnancy here: What is hyperemesis gravidarum? What are its symptoms?

How to relieve nausea and vomiting in pregnancy?

It is common for women to wonder what they can do to avoid vomiting during pregnancy. Pregnancy nausea and vomiting can be prevented or alleviated if the pregnant woman puts into practice some tips or remedies such as those discussed below:

• Eat small but frequent meals.
• Drink liquid in small sips, but often.
• Opt for soft and bland foods. A good option is nutritious foods with proteins and complex carbohydrates (whole grain bread, whole grains, legumes, potatoes, etc.)
• Avoid fatty, fried, spicy and highly seasoned foods.
• Do not take food and drinks too hot, as cold food and drinks may be better tolerated.
• Leave a cookie on the bedside table (crackers usually work) and eat it on an empty stomach before getting out of bed in the morning.
• Taste different preparations of the same food. It is possible that the change in texture will make the food better tolerated.
• Try to find a trigger for nausea, such as certain foods or even smells, to avoid it. If it is an odor, keep spaces well ventilated.
• Do not lie down right after eating.
• Consult a specialist about taking ginger, for example, in capsules, or vitamin B6, as they may help reduce symptoms.

Remedies for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy

Finally, it is very important that pregnant women never self-medicate and that they consult their doctor before taking any medication.

If nausea and vomiting are intense and do not improve with these remedies, or if there is weight loss, the pregnant woman should see a specialist. In this case, it may be hyperemesis gravidarum, but an assessment will be made to rule out other possible causes as well.

Similarly, the pregnant woman should see a specialist as soon as possible if there is blood in the vomit or if nausea occurs along with other symptoms such as fever or abdominal pain.

FAQs from users

How much vomiting is considered hyperemesis gravidarum?

The number of vomiting is not what determines having hyperemesis gravidarum. If in doubt, a professional should be consulted for evaluation.
Read more

Why do pregnant women have a more developed sense of smell?

It is very common for many pregnant women to notice an increased sense of smell. Smells that were previously pleasant or unnoticed are now strong and unpleasant. This phenomenon is called hyperosmia, and occurs mainly in the first trimester of pregnancy and sometimes also at the end.

It is mainly due to increased oestrogen and progesterone levels, which cause a woman's sense of smell to become more prominent.

The olfactory and taste changes that the body undergoes due to hormonal changes are also related to other pregnancy symptoms such as nausea and vomiting.

Is it bad to have nausea and vomiting in IVF beta wait?

Antonio Forgiarini, gynaecologist at Next Fertility Valencia, gives us the answer in the following video:

Well, it could be a good thing and a bad thing. Obviously it's a bad thing because nobody wants to have nausea and vomit and feel sick obviously, but normally it's cause by the beta hCG (by the pregnancy hormone), so it means that the pregnancy is going well and the embryo is growing and is producing its hormone.

When does pregnancy nausea and vomiting go away?

The nausea and vomiting that are so common in pregnancy are one of the first symptoms that appear in pregnancy, around 4-7 weeks. Most commonly, nausea and vomiting continue throughout the first trimester and subside around 10-16 weeks.

However, it is important to mention that some women experience nausea and vomiting throughout their pregnancy.

Is it normal to vomit everything in pregnancy?

No, when a woman vomits any food or food, including liquids, and cannot tolerate the intake, it may be hyperemesis gravidarum.

Hyperemesis gravidarum is a severe manifestation of nausea and vomiting, which can lead to complications for the pregnant woman and the baby, as the woman does not have an adequate supply of nutrients, loses weight and becomes dehydrated.

It is therefore important to see a specialist as soon as possible if this situation occurs.

Is hyperemesis gravidarum the same as morning sickness?

No. Morning sickness, so-called even though it can occur at any other time of the day, is very common in pregnant women and can occur in up to 80-90% of pregnancies.

Hyperemesis gravidarum is a less common form of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, occurring in 0.3 to 3.6% of cases. However, it is a more severe condition, as the vomiting is constant and intense and can lead to weight loss and dehydration of the pregnant woman.

What are the risks of vomiting a lot in pregnancy?

If a pregnant woman vomits a lot during pregnancy, she should consult a specialist, as this may be hyperemesis gravidarum.

Hyperemesis gravidarum can affect the mother's health and that of the baby, as the woman may lose weight, become dehydrated and suffer alterations in the electrolyte balance of the body's salts. In addition, the lack of nutrients and vitamins can lead to other serious complications.

For the baby, hyperemesis gravidarum can lead to premature delivery or low birth weight.

In addition, it should not be forgotten how the quality of life of the pregnant woman is affected.

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