Feel Nauseous After Eating – Pregnancy Precautions

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG)

There is a rapid rise in the level of this hormone during early months of pregnancy. How hCG causes nausea is not known; however, nausea is at its peak when the levels of hCG rise. Moreover, females have higher hCG levels such as carrying multiples, have higher rates of symptoms of nausea and vomiting.

Estrogen

The levels of estrogen also rise rapidly during early months of pregnancy making it another possible cause.

An Increased Sensitivity to Smell and Odors

To a pregnant female, the gag reflex is triggered by certain aromas instantly. According to some researchers this may occur due to higher levels of estrogen; however, no one is sure about this.

A Sensitive Stomach

Some female’s gastrointestinal tracts are more sensitive to the physical and hormonal changes that occur during early pregnancy. Also, according to some research, females who have a bacterium referred to as Helicobacter pylori in their stomach are more prone to suffer from nausea and vomiting. However, this link is not confirmed by all studies.

Stress

According to some researchers, certain females are predisposed psychologically to have nausea during pregnancy as an adverse effect of stress. However, this theory is not supported by any conclusive evidence. Of course, you may start feeling more stressed if you are constantly having nausea or vomiting.

Food

• Eating small, frequent snacks and meals throughout the day is recommended. This makes sure that you are never starving. Complex carbohydrates and high-protein foods are especially helpful. Eat slowly and savor every bite.

• Simple snacks including crackers can be kept by your bed. You can nibble on a few of them when you first awake in the morning and then rest for another 20-30 minutes before getting up from the bed. You may also feel better by snacking on crackers if you wake up with nausea in the middle of the night.

• Try and avoid smells and foods that trigger nausea. If that amounts to almost everything, it’s fine to eat the few eatables that appeal to you for the time your nausea lasts, even if it don’t make a perfectly balanced diet.

• Try and eat food at room temperature or cold as foods tend to have a stronger aroma when they are hot.

• You should avoid fried and fatty foods, which require long time to digest. Also avoid acidic, spicy foods which may irritate your digestive tract. Try to stick to bland food as much as possible.

• Try ginger, which is an alternative remedy that is useful in settling stomach and relieving nausea. Grate fresh ginger into hot boiling water to prepare ginger tea or you can also try crystallized ginger or ginger candies. Ginger root is also available as powder in the form of a capsule; however, discuss with your healthcare provider before ingesting them.

• Some females get relief from sucking peppermint candies or sipping peppermint tea, especially after eating a meal.

• Try ingesting your prenatal vitamins just before bed or with food. If you get nausea from a prenatal vitamin, ask your healthcare provider if you can stop ingesting it till your nausea is better; however, ask your physician about ingesting a supplement containing folic acid to decrease the risk of neural tube defects in your baby.

Drink

• Try and drink fluids mostly in between meals. You may find that cold, carbonated drinks are better tolerated. If you are having excessive vomiting, you can try drinking a sports drink that has salt, glucose and potassium so you can replace the lost electrolytes.

• Avoid drinking too much at a time as it will make your stomach full and you will feel less hunger for foods. It is best to sip fluids all through the day. You can use a straw if you find sipping uncomfortable.

Lifestyle Change

• Don’t lie down, especially on your left side after eating as it may slow your digestion.

• In the morning, get up slowly; spending a few minutes sitting on the bed may also be helpful in reducing the nausea.

• Rinse your mouth and brush your teeth after eating.

• Getting fresh air by taking a walk or standing by an open window may ease your nausea.

• Take time out to relax and take naps whenever you can.

Other Remedies

• You can try hypnosis. Though no definitive evidence is present that it helps with nausea but it has been found to be effective in relieving nausea during chemotherapy.

• You can try using an acupressure band, which is a soft cotton wrist band. This device has been designed to combat seasickness and has helped ease off morning sickness in some pregnant females.

• You can visit an acupuncturist who has experience of treating nausea after eating pregnancy.

• You can also try aromatherapy. Some females find scents of lemon, orange, or mint useful in easing nausea. You can put a drop of an essential oil on a hanky and smell it when you start feeling nauseated.