It is estimated that as much as 80 percent of women experience sickness during their pregnancy with half of these women experiencing retching or vomiting. Given how common morning sickness is, it is not a cause for concern if you start to feel ill during your pregnancy. The severity of this condition will vary among women and even from pregnancy to pregnancy. Understanding what is common can help you determine if the sickness you are feeling is a cause for concern and what remedies you can use to manage it.
Around three-fourths of pregnant women feel nauseated in their first trimester with around half experiencing vomiting as well. This often begins around 6 weeks but can start as early as 4, getting worse throughout the following months. Many feel relief around week 14 but may still feel a bit queasy from time to time. Symptoms may occasionally return throughout their pregnancy and some find that their sickness remains right up until delivery.
Nausea and Vomiting (Morning Sickness)
The term “morning sickness” is often used to describe feeling sick during pregnancy but is not particularly accurate. It was originally used because many women found their nausea to be worse in the morning, but these symptoms can occur at any time throughout the day and some women find that they feel ill all day long. The intensity of this nausea will also vary.
An upset stomach and vomiting may bother you early in pregnancy. You may feel sick any time of day. You might feel better by your 12th week of pregnancy. But sometimes this lasts longer.
To help get rid of morning sickness:
- Eat dry toast, crackers, pretzels, or dry cereal before you get out of bed in the morning.
- Keep crackers or pretzels with you to eat when your stomach feels upset.
- Eat 4 or 5 small meals a day, instead of 2 or 3 big ones.
- Drink liquids after and between meals instead of with your meals.
- When you cook, open windows or use a fan to get rid of strong smells. Or have someone else cook for you.
- Stay away from greasy, fried, or spicy foods or any food that upsets your stomach.
Constipation
Is it hard for you to move your bowels? Constipation is common during pregnancy. Even if you feel bad, do not use laxatives unless your doctor tells you to. Laxatives can hurt your baby.
To help you move your bowels:
- Drink lots of liquids such as water, milk, soup, and fruit juice.
- Eat a salad each day.
- Eat foods high in fiber like beans, fresh fruits, whole wheat bread, and high fiber cereals like bran, vegetables, and salads. (Do not be surprised if these foods give you gas.)
- Try prunes or prune juice. They help!
- Exercise lightly. Try walking every day.
Heartburn (Indigestion)
Heartburn is a burning feeling at the top of your stomach. You might feel heartburn the whole time you are pregnant.
To help get rid of heartburn:
- Eat 4 or 5 small meals a day, instead of 2 or 3 big ones.
- Bake or broil your food instead of frying it.
- Eat less spicy and fatty foods. Use less hot spices.
- Cut down on soda, chocolate, coffee, tea, and other drinks with caffeine. Drink more water instead.
- Drink liquids after and between meals instead of with your meals.
- Try walking around after you eat.