NAUSEA DURING PREGNANCY

HOW and WHAT you eat (and drink!) at this time can make all the difference in how you feel

Although nausea during pregnancy is often dismissed as a minor disorder it can be very real affliction for many women. Nausea that may occur at any time, day or night can interfere with quality of life and may be accompanied with vomiting. in some cases this result sin hospitalisation for rehydration therapy.

in traditional Chinese medicine this nausea and vomiting can arise from a variety of causes. Acupuncture treatment is aimed at strengthening the energetic function of the digestive system and correcting any underlying disharmonies. in addition to specific dietary advice is directed at reducing the energetic workload of the digestive system. to get the most out of any treatment, it is essential to keep yourself hydrated and your blood sugar levels stable. while it can be difficult to think about preparing snacks and drinks throughout the day, this will help keep your nausea under control.

Fluid Intake

Whilst it may not appear that drinking relieves nausea, becoming even slightly dehydrated will make nausea more intense… dry lips, feeling thirsty and a reduced urinary output are signs that your fluid intake is inadequate.

If your urine output decreases to only once or twice in 24 hours you need to let your doctor or midwife know. This is because once dehydration affects your electrolyte balance past a certain point the best option may be intravenous re-hydration in a hospital.

if you are finding it difficult to drink fluids, concentrate on having small amounts frequently rather than trying to drink a cup of fluid all at once. Many women find it difficult to drink water in which case soups may be useful (potato soup can be useful as it is very bland.)

Warm teas such as ginger or peppermint may also be helpful. if burping relieves the nausea a carbonated drink may help settle the nausea.

The following is a list many women find helpful:

• Apple cider vinegar (I1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar - fill cup with boiling water - add honey to taste)

• Chamomile or peppermint tea

• Ginger ale ginger tea (grate a piece of ginger the size of a 50p coin, steep I n boiling water for 10 minutes - ad honey to taste. do not exceed 3 cups per day)

• Mineral water with freshly squeezed lemon

• Miso soup

• Potato soup, Peel and chop 2 potatoes, fry in a little butter, add in cup water and salt and pepper to taste. Simmer 15-20 minutes adding extra fluids like water or stock to achieve the consistency for the soup you prefer.

• Umeboshi plum tea (half a teaspoon stirred into a cup of boiling water - honey to taste)

Keeping Your Blood sugar levels maintained

Having small regular snacks will help to keep your blood sugar levels stable. This means easting a small snack at least every 90 minutes… before that empty, hungry feeling sets in. The snack can be very small, a few raisin or nuts (almonds are often useful), half a sandwich, a quarter piece of fruit. It’s a delicate balance as to exactly how much you feel comfortable eating as overeating will also intensify the nausea.

Lots of things can be done to relieve the pain an discomfort of the first trimester, for more information call us or talk to Jess during a session about further nutritional and body tips you can practise… together we can get you through this very special but trying time!