Vomiting in Pregnancy: All You Need to Know

Picture this. Just yesterday, you learnt of your pregnancy, and you're still beaming with happiness. You're sharing the good news with family and probably already planning a million things. And suddenly, you rush to the toilet, throwing up last night's dinner.

If you're feeling queasy and can't seem to shake that constant nausea, you're not alone. Vomiting in pregnancy is one of the most common experiences, and it can catch you off guard at any moment. Let's understand why it happens and the different ways to manage nausea and vomiting in pregnancy (NVP).

While most women experience NVP, the nature and intensity can vary for different women. Feelings of nausea kick in as early as six weeks of conception and tend to affect almost 70% of pregnant women. 

The following are the symptoms and causes of NVP: 

• hCG Hormones: Also known as the pregnancy hormone, elevated hormones cause the digestive tract muscles to tighten, making digestion difficult. It leads to feelings of heartburn and nausea.
• Heightened senses: Pregnancy can trigger a heightened sense of smell. If you are averse to a particular odour, it can make you feel queasy.
• Stress: Pregnancy can set off feelings of anxiety or stress, tiring your body from within. Emotional stress and fatigue can cause vomiting in pregnancy.
• Metabolic changes: As a first-time mother, you are more likely to experience vomiting. It is because your body is undergoing a massive hormonal change for the first time.
• Heat: Tiring yourself or exposing your body to uncomfortable weather conditions like heat can cause vomiting during pregnancy.
• Hereditary: If your mother suffered from morning sickness, the chances of you experiencing it are high.

When Does Vomiting Typically Start in Pregnancy?

Vomiting in pregnancy, also known as morning sickness, is a feeling sparked by the hCG hormone. Not true to its name, morning sickness can occur any time of the day but is most severe during the mornings. 

Vomiting in pregnancy can start from six weeks, which is two weeks from your conception. It peaks around the middle of your first trimester between 10 to 12 weeks and gradually improves by the 14th week. By the end of your first trimester, nausea symptoms tend to subside. But sometimes you may feel nauseated by certain smells and food till much later. 

When it comes to pregnancy symptoms, there’s nausea and vomiting, and then more nausea. Of course, not all women face vomiting during pregnancy to the same extent. But however short-lived it is, it’s not fun. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to manage and reduce these feelings of nausea. The first thing to do is find your triggers—perfume, food odour, heat, anything. The second thing to do is to avoid it.

So, how do you stop vomiting during pregnancy? Depending on your pain and tolerance, you can try the following.

• Give your body time to rest.
• If you take prenatal vitamins, check with your doctor to see if you can take them at night. Or, if you must, take them with a snack in the morning instead of on an empty stomach.
• Keep your room cool and ventilated. If you enjoy a particular smell, use aroma oils like lemongrass in a diffuser.
• Rinse your mouth after an episode of vomiting. It helps remove the unpleasant aftertaste and protects your teeth from stomach build-up. 

Home Remedies to Stop Vomiting in Pregnancy

If you’re tired of vomiting during pregnancy, these home remedies can help a little: 

• Ginger has anti-nauseating properties. Try a soothing ginger tea, or you can suck on a small slice anytime you feel uneasy.
• Use lemon for its refreshing smell and flavour to keep your food down. Lemon water, tea, and even essential oil can reduce nausea. Mix it with fresh mint leaves to make a delicious lemon-mint-infused water.
• Curd is very beneficial during pregnancy. It contains probiotics that help cool the digestive tract and improve gut health.
• Coconut water is an excellent alternative if you have trouble retaining plain water. It prevents dehydration and contains many of the electrolytes needed during pregnancy.
• Khichdi is a very light and healthy meal option for days when you experience severe nausea. It is light on the stomach and gives you enough energy to get through the day.
• Dry, bland foods like toast and biscuits are good options for starting your day. They help absorb stomach acid and prevent morning sickness.
• Spice-infused water, such as jeera (cumin) and ajwain (carom), can help reduce heartburn and keep food down. 

Dietary Changes and Tips for Managing Vomiting 

Pregnancy is a wonderful phase in a woman’s life. But nausea and vomiting, though perfectly normal, can cast a pall during this special time. So when it comes to managing vomiting in pregnancy, small dietary changes can make a huge difference: 

• Eat something before you leave the bed. Keep a jar of plain biscuits or nuts at your bedside. Low blood sugar can make you feel nauseous.
• Your digestion is slow due to the change in hormones. So don’t skip meals or overeat, instead have many small meals to reduce feelings of nausea.
• Drink as much as you can. If you are vomiting, you need to fuel your body with fluids throughout the day. For a refreshing taste, try water, buttermilk, coconut water, or lemon water.
• Have an easy-to-digest, bland diet. Spicy, sugar-loaded, and high-fat food may trigger nausea. 

Nausea during pregnancy is not bad, neither for you nor the baby. But if your vomiting is not simple, manageable morning sickness, it’s a matter of concern. Symptoms like stomach ache due to vomiting that continues for days at a stretch are signs not to take lightly. You may have Hyperemesis Gravidarum. Around 2% of pregnant women, who suffer from severe morning sickness, have this condition. The best thing to do in this situation is to see your doctor.

Severe vomiting can also cause Ketoacidosis, which is a critical condition. In such a case, you must consult your doctor immediately.

Recognising Severe Symptoms 

Almost all new mothers-to-be experience vomiting or nausea at some point in their pregnancy journey. This usually comes and goes by the first trimester and is considered a health sign. However, if your vomiting symptoms continue, nutritional deficiency is a possibility.

Sometimes the symptoms are so severe that you may begin to lose weight and feel dehydrated. It can be a really difficult time for you, but any signs of the following require immediate medical assistance: 

• Infrequent urination, feeling the urge to urinate but not being able to, or very dark-coloured urine are signs of dehydration.
• Inability to keep any liquid down. It will make you weak and risk the health of your baby.
• Feeling light-headed and severe fatigue due to excessive vomiting.
• Increased heart rate.
• Vomiting more than 3 to 5 times a day.
• Beginning to lose weight (more than 2 kgs) or reach a number lower than your pre-pregnancy weight.
• Experiencing stomach aches, cramps, and pain in your abdomen.
• Spot blood in your vomit.
• Fever, shivering, and diarrhoea due to excessive vomiting.
• Feeling negative, anxious, or having thoughts about ending your pregnancy due to the severity of your symptoms. 

Your first trimester will be a rollercoaster ride with moments of anxiety, excitement, nausea, and exhaustion. So buckle up, because your body is working overtime to grow a baby! Hormones will peak and so will the less-than-pleasant symptoms of vomiting and nausea. It’s not going to be easy, but it does get better. 

The first three months can feel overwhelming, with your body changing as quickly as your mood. To add to the discomfort, vomiting in pregnancy can make you feel worse. Stick to eating small multiple meals and stay hydrated. You can also ask your doctor for supplements to help keep your food down. For example, Vitamin B6 helps with nausea. 

Speaking to your husband and other expecting mothers will give you emotional support and help you feel more confident about your journey.

Managing vomiting in pregnancy is a very personal experience. While some women find comfort in small dietary and lifestyle changes, others need medical assistance. If you are suffering from feelings of nausea and vomiting, managing it with safe and natural options can significantly improve your pregnancy journey.

So pick your feet up, get some rest, and focus on your and your baby’s well-being. You’ve got this!