Hyperemesis gravidarum is a disorder due to which pregnant women suffer from vomiting and intense nausea after the first trimester. Although they are very common symptoms in pregnant women during the first trimester, called "morning sickness", if they persist beyond the first trimester it is called hyperemesis gravidarum. This condition can make daily life very demanding and demoralizing. If you are concerned that you may develop this disorder during pregnancy, there are some things you can do to reduce the likelihood of it happening, such as a change in diet, lifestyle, and medication. Read on for more information.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Change the Power
Step 1. Have small, frequent meals throughout the day, rather than three large ones
If you eat less but more often throughout the day, your stomach produces less acid to digest food. And less acid means your stomach hardly gets irritated, so you're less likely to feel nauseous.
If you eat a large meal, the abdomen tends to expand, triggering feelings of nausea that could cause vomiting
Step 2. Eat cold foods because they don't smell as strong as hot ones
You should generally avoid pungent smelling foods if you are concerned about hyperemesis gravidarum. Cold foods typically don't give off much flavor, so choose these as much as possible. While it may be frustrating not to eat particularly tasty and tasty foods, it's worth it if it helps you avoid nausea.
Step 3. Focus on bland foods
Spicy and fatty foods can cause the gastrointestinal system to produce more acid. This is because the spices and fats in food irritate the stomach walls, stimulating it along with the pancreas to secrete more bile. Due to the excess production of these digestive acids, the part of the brain that controls vomiting is activated and can cause hyperemesis gravidarum.
Step 4. Avoid fatty foods
These take longer to digest, so they slow down the digestive process and increase the production of acid in the stomach. More acid can mean more nausea. Fatty foods that you should exclude from your diet are:
Fried foods, products of animal origin such as lard, packaged cakes, baked goods and pastries, vegetable fat and margarine
Step 5. Don't eat those foods you know trigger the gag reflex
Some foods smell stronger than others. Each person is different, so you'll need to keep track of those foods that smell too strong for your taste.
Step 6. Stay hydrated
Nausea can also be triggered by thirst and hunger, so it's important that you stay hydrated. Drink your favorite beverage in small sips as even gulping down a large amount of water can make you sick.
- If you are tired of drinking only water, you can add a small amount of fruit juice to slightly enrich the flavor.
- You can also take a glass of water (about 300ml) and add a pinch of salt, lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of sugar to make the drink sweeter and tastier.
Step 7. Drink ginger-based sodas
This substance helps fight hyperemesis gravidarum. It increases the symptoms generated by gastrointestinal movements thus blocking the signals to the brain responsible for the sensation of vomiting.
Step 8. Make yourself a smoothie, very suitable for pregnant women
Provides ideal nutrients for staying healthy. You can change some ingredients if any aspect of the flavor or texture is not to your liking. In a blender combine:
A cup of fresh apple juice, 1 frozen banana, 1 teaspoon of molasses, 1 glass of yogurt, 2 teaspoons of nutritional yeast, 1 tablespoon of protein powder, 1-2 tablespoons of honey, 1 glass of low-fat milk, 1 teaspoon of seaweed containing a mixture of minerals and 3 tablespoons of nuts
Step 9. Increase your vitamin B6 intake
You can take vitamin B6 supplements to reduce the chances of vomiting. However, it is recommended that you speak to your doctor before taking any supplements.
The normally recommended dose is 50 mg per day
Step 10. Discuss with your doctor whether wild yam root is appropriate
It is always wise to seek the advice of a doctor or specialist before taking any new herbs or making any drastic dietary changes. It appears that the properties of this plant can affect estrogen levels and reduce the likelihood of feeling nauseous. The root contains steroid saponins which can act on hormones.
It is usually commercially available in 2 to 4 gram capsules that can be taken daily with a cup of water
Method 2 of 3: Changing Your Lifestyle
Step 1. Avoid anything that causes you to gag reflex
Even though smell is the main trigger, sometimes even just being in a place where the smell once made you sick can trigger vomiting. In other cases, even the thought of certain foods can make you nauseous. Keep track of everything that makes you come, and write it down. Avoid these things as much as possible.
Annoying smells aren't limited to food. It could be smells in subway environments, some sprays, chemicals, or smelly feet
Step 2. Avoid environmental factors that can trigger nausea
Two typical environmental factors that you should eliminate if you are concerned about this disorder are cigarette smoke and lights. Of course, you need to avoid cigarette smoking as much as possible because it is not at all healthy for your baby when you inhale it, even if it is secondhand smoke. Stay away from people who smoke and ask any family or friends who don't smoke near you. Bright lights can also cause nausea and vomiting, so keep those at home dim if you can.
Step 3. Take medications or supplements with plenty of food or water
When you take a tablet, there is a risk that it may activate the gag reflex, which in turn can cause nausea. It is very likely that you need to take a couple of pills every day to keep your baby healthy.
When you take these tablets, take a sip of water, or add them to a substance such as yogurt, so you can ingest them without chewing
Step 4. Avoid all factors that cause stress or anxiety
Stress can trigger the part of the brain that triggers vomiting, so it is best to live as peacefully as possible. If you are feeling stressed or anxious, talk to a trusted friend or family member about what you are going through. Often, talking to someone helps reduce tension. You can think about doing relaxing activities like:
- Yoga
- Meditation
- Watch a movie you like
- Gardening
Step 5. Listen to your body and rest when needed
If you work until you are exhausted, you get really too tired and if you run out it is easier to feel nauseous. Nobody knows your body better than you, so listen to it, take breaks when necessary and don't be afraid to rest even when you just start to feel a little tired.
Step 6. Wear loose fitting clothing
If they are too tight they can make it difficult for you to breathe; shortness of breath is another factor that can cause nausea, so wearing loose, comfortable clothes to breathe more deeply is recommended.
Step 7. Lose weight before getting pregnant
Weight loss before pregnancy also reduces the chances of suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum. Since high estrogen levels play an important role in this disorder, you can try to reduce them. Women who weigh more generally have higher estrogen levels, so if you're very worried about hyperemesis gravidarum, you need to lose weight before getting pregnant.
Step 8. Create a good exercise routine for yourself before pregnancy
A healthy mind can lead to a healthy pregnancy. Physical activity allows the body to produce endorphins, chemicals that make you feel happy. And when you are happy, you are less stressed. Stress can affect your gastrointestinal system and cause nausea.
Method 3 of 3: Take Medication
Step 1. Prevent hyperemesis gravidarum by taking metoclopramide or ondansetron
These drugs must be prescribed by a doctor, but they are able to relieve this ailment. They are considered blockers of the 5-HT3 receptor which is activated when the body feels the need to vomit. By blocking the receptors, these drugs prevent the triggers of vomiting from being activated.
Metoclopramide is usually prescribed in doses of 5 - 10 mg every eight hours
Step 2. Discuss with your doctor if you need to take anti-emetic drugs
These can reduce the feeling of nausea or the desire to vomit. However, you should speak to your healthcare provider about which medications are suitable for your specific needs. Some of these, used to combat nausea, are:
- Promethazine
- Chlorpromazine
- Metoclopramide
Step 3. Consider taking prednisolone if you have hyperemesis gravidarum
This drug has been shown to have a positive effect on this pathology. It is able to stop vomiting and can also help regain the weight lost due to this disorder. Steroids reduce the stimulus in the brain centers responsible for the sensation of vomiting.
