As we often say, every woman is different, and pregnancy symptoms can vary from one to another.

Nausea during the first trimester affects 50 to 80% of pregnant women. It is often associated with hormonal changes that occur at the start of pregnancy. Estrogen and progesterone rates increase drastically during this period. They peak around the end of the first trimester, then stabilise. This is why most pregnant women who were nauseous at the start of pregnancy will see it decline rapidly after the 9th or 10th week of pregnancy. Pregnancy nausea may also be related to a possible vitamin B6 deficiency, an infection, a psychological or a genetic factors.

Some women also have sensitive gastric systems and tend to have gastric reflux. This acidity, which rises from the stomach, can increase the feeling of nausea.

This is why we often advise nauseous women to eat smaller quantities of food but more frequently, and consume proteins, to avoid reflux and reduce the increased feeling of nausea on an empty stomach.

I would like to end with a practical piece of advice. Eat nutritional homemade popsicles made with Greek yogurt, fruit, a bit of orange juice and maybe a bit of fresh ginger. You will see that the cold can significantly reduce your nausea, and the popsicle is a nutritional snack. Changing your eating and living habits can contribute to your well being.

 

To learn more, please read these articles:

• Pregnancy Symptoms
• Pregnant Women and Diet

Watch this video:

• Pregnancy Ailments (video in french only)

Talk soon,

Marie
The Baby Expert