About 70% of pregnant women experience nausea, and half of them also experience vomiting. Don’t worry, mums: Nausea is fairly natural for pregnant women, especially in the first trimester. Let’s take a look at some of the factors which can cause nausea during your pregnancy!

1. Hormonal changes

According to WebMD, hormonal changes are the main cause of nausea during pregnancy. During early pregnancy, the body produces a dramatic amount of hormones. Some hormones can cause nausea include:

• Estrogen, which supports the development of the fetus and delivers nutrients to the fetus.
• Progesterone, which maintains immunity and protects the fetus during pregnancy.
• Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which is only produced by pregnant women. It strengthens the fetus and the womb, and plays an important role during early pregnancy. 

In addition to nausea, hormonal changes can cause conditions such as low blood pressure, dizziness, fatigue and constipation. This is why pregnant women must maintain healthy eating habits!

How to overcome nausea:

• Get enough rest.
• Drink plenty of warm water to keep yourself hydrated. 
• Consume nutritious foods.
• Eat small portions of food many times throughout the day. 
• Avoid spicy and oily food, especially fried foods. 

2. Strong aromas

During pregnancy, your sense of smell is heightened. The scent of food, perfume or even refreshing aromas can easily cause nausea. Each pregnancy is different, but scent remains one of the main causes of nausea during pregnancy.

How to handle aromas:

• Try to avoid scents that trigger your nausea.
• If you have a scent that neutralizes your sense of smell, you can use it regularly for aromatherapy.

3. History of Nausea

Nausea is more likely to occur during pregnancy for those with a history of nausea, especially during travel. But don’t worry, there are solutions to this problem. 

How to overcome nausea:

• Drink warm ginger tea to strengthen the nervous system, stomach and intestines. 
• Avoid foods that are hard to digest, such as fried, fatty or spicy foods, as well as soda.
• Brush your teeth after every meal to freshen your mouth. Choose a toothpaste or mouthwash that is safe for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. 

4. Stress and Fatigue

Stress can also be a cause of nausea. Don’t be overly worried about your pregnancy! Stress and fatigue can trigger hormone instability, which eventually leads to nausea.

How to overcome stress and fatigue:

• Get enough rest and calm your mind.
• When sleeping, try to position the head higher than the body’s position to promote blood flow.
• Always stay positive.
• Try out pregnancy-friendly sports such as gymnastics, swimming, or yoga to relax.

5. Urinary tract infection

Watch out for this. If you experience pain or blood loss during urination, you should consult your doctor immediately. Along with nausea, this condition can also cause dangerous health problems. 

How to prevent urinary tract infection:

• Drink loads of water to maintain your body fluids.
• Visit the restroom regularly to relieve yourself.
• Change your underwear frequently to prevent infection.

6. Gastric acid

During pregnancy, gastritis can lead to nausea. When sleeping, your stomach tends to have much lower gastric acid levels. When you wake up in the morning, the influx of gastric acid in your stomach can cause nausea. 

How to deal with gastric acid:

1. Consume light snacks immediately after you wake up to make sure your stomach isn’t empty. Examples include bread, biscuits or cookies. 
2. Drink warm tea or water to relieve your nausea. 
3. Make sure you get enough fresh air in the morning to help with the oxygen circulation in your body. 

Chances are, you can’t avoid nausea during your pregnancy. Don’t worry, it’s completely normal and natural! 

However, if your nausea is accompanied by fever, blood in vomit, abdominal pain or you have problems urinating, see a doctor immediately. We at Mama’s Choice Malaysia wish you a healthy pregnancy 🙂 

Raymond Santosa