Pregnancy is a period of enormous hormonal changes and a series of health problems. Symptoms of pregnancy may vary from one person to other. Missed periods, vomiting, nausea, frequent urination, tiredness, breast changes, etc are some common symptoms of pregnancy. However, these symptoms can also be caused due to other health problems. So, it doesn't mean that you are pregnant just because you have these symptoms. So, you need to consult a doctor or take a home pregnancy test to confirm your pregnancy.

Your body passes through a wide range of health problems during pregnancy. These problems include headache, backache, vaginal discharge, indigestion or hemorrhoids, constipation, tingling or itching, varicose veins or leg cramps, depression or mood changes, etc. Sometimes, you may experience symptoms like chronic pain, vaginal bleeding, vision loss, severe headache, or high temperature. All these symptoms affect your energy level.

Sickness or vomiting during the early stages of pregnancy is very common. Mostly, these symptoms are mild and do not need any treatment. If the symptoms are very severe, anti-sickness medicines can be used. Severe symptoms of pregnancy may also be associated with dehydration, which is very dangerous. You need immediate medical help if you feel dehydration.

Why You Feel Vomiting and Sickness During Pregnancy?

Most of the pregnant women feel vomiting and sickness during the early stages of pregnancy. It is considered as a normal part of pregnancy. However, symptoms can be occurred at any time. Mostly, symptoms are mild. Vomiting may last between 1-4 hours. However, some may feel frequent and long lasting vomiting. Usually, vomiting and sickness appear before 9th week of pregnancy and it may disappear by 16th week. However, some may have sickness and vomiting throughout all of their pregnancy.

Sickness during pregnancy is a very difficult problem. They can interfere your life, work, mood, ability to care your family, home situation, and above all, your energy level as well. You must seek help from your family members and friends to cope up with the pregnancy symptoms.

Causes of Vomiting and Sickness During Pregnancy

The exact cause of sickness and vomiting during pregnancy is not known. However, it is considered that it may be due to hormonal changes during pregnancy. Nausea and vomiting will be worse in multiple pregnancies. Vomiting and nausea in pregnancy may also due to a number of risk factors. They are:

* If it is a female fetus,
* If you have twins or multiple pregnancies
* If it is your first pregnancy
* If you have migraine
* If you have motion sickness

Obesity, anxiousness, stress, etc also increase sickness. Backache is a common problem during pregnancy. Loosening of ligaments and changing your posture due to growing pregnancy are the major reason for backache. It can be reduced by avoiding lifting heavy objects, using chairs with good back support, wearing flat heeled shoes, and exercising in water.

Breathlessness

During the early stages of pregnancy, progesterone increases your lung capacity. It is essential for carrying more oxygen to your baby and expelling waste products like carbon dioxide from your body. When you take a deep breath, the amount of air you inhale and exhale will also increase significantly. So, you may feel short of breath.

Fatigue

Overwhelming tiredness is a common symptom during pregnancy. It occurs due to massive increase in sex hormone, progesterone. This hormone is inevitable for maintaining your pregnancy and helping your baby to grow. However, it may also reduce your metabolism. Your energy level will increase after the establishment of placenta. Anemia can also cause tiredness during pregnancy. Iron deficiency anemia can be avoided by eating iron rich foods.

Frequent Urination

The level of fluids in your body increases during pregnancy. Swelling uterus apply pressure on your bladder. These are the reasons for frequent urination during pregnancy.

Sickness and Health of your Baby

Usually, sickness during pregnancy will not affect the health of your baby. You cannot eat well when you vomit. However, your baby will get nourishment from your body's reserves. Some studies also prove that sickness during pregnancy is the indication of a healthy pregnancy and the outcome will be successful.

However, the health of your baby will be affected if you have hypermesis gravidarum. This is a condition of prolonged vomiting and sickness. In such a situation, the fluid in your body will be very low and you start losing weight. This problem may also occur due to vitamin deficiencies. You cannot eat much when you feel vomiting and it will lead to starvation. Hypermesis gravidarum can be easily diagnosed by testing urine. If your urine contains ketone substance, you have hypermesis gravidarum. Your body produces ketone when it is forced to break down fat for energy. You cannot eat well if you are vomiting. So, your body resorts to fat for energy. This will lead to the production of ketone.

Ways to Get Relieve from Sickness and Vomiting

Pregnancy symptoms are often mild and they do not need any specific treatment. However, you will get relief from these symptoms if you follow certain things. They are:

Take Adequate Rest

You need to take plenty of rest during pregnancy. Vomiting and nausea become worse if you are tired. So, you must get enough sleep and rest to avoid these problems.

Have Small Meals Frequently

Eating small quantity of food frequently may help you to control vomiting and sickness. You must eat foods high in carbohydrate. If you stop eating due to vomiting, the sickness will become worse. So, you can ease symptoms if you eat small amounts of foods frequently. If nausea is associated with smell of food, cold foods can be used.

Drink Lots of Water

Drinking lots of water is essential for avoiding low body fluid. You can also prevent vomiting if you drink small quantity of water frequently. At least 2 liters of water is essential for keeping your body hydrated. However, you must avoid cold and sweet drinks because it may worsen symptoms in some people.

Ginger

Some studies show that having ginger syrup or tablet is effective for getting relief from vomiting and nausea during pregnancy. However, you must ensure the quality of ginger products.

Avoid Triggers

Triggers can set off sickness, so they should be avoided. Emotional stress or smell should also be avoided if they trigger your symptoms.

Over the counter remedies are not needed for sickness and vomiting during pregnancy because the safety and effectiveness of these medicines are uncertain.

When you Need Sickness Medicines?

Usually, you can drink and eat enough food even though you are sick. So, there is no need of anti-sickness medicines. However, you need them if the symptoms are very severe and persistent.

Generally, it is better to avoid all types of medicines. If you are not aware about the contents of herbal remedies, they should also be avoided. However, some medicines are considered as safe and they have been used for many years to treat vomiting and sickness. Cyclizine or promethazine is helpful for some women to prevent pregnancy symptoms. There is no evidence that these medicines harm a developing baby. However, these are not helpful for all pregnant ladies.

You must consult a doctor before taking anti-sickness medicines. Also, medicines should not be used for a long period of time. Seek immediate hospital care if your body is not respond to medication, or the sickness become worse, or the body fluid become very low.