Bring down nausea and avoid harmful bacteria

Simple and handy rules to follow

Nausea and vomiting are some of the undesirable effects that come with pregnancy. For many women they are also the first tell-tale signs that conception has occurred. Many parents, especially mothers, suspect long before they are told that a daughter is pregnant, just by observing this ‘small’ clue!

Morning sickness refers to the nausea and vomiting that some women experience when they are pregnant. It is caused by the sudden increase in hormones during pregnancy particularly in the first trimester. Although morning sickness is more common in the morning, it can last all day for some women while for others it can ‘attack’ at any time of the day!

There are many recommended methods of reducing incidents of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, including medicine. When not severe, nausea or vomiting should cause no worry but is nevertheless quite uncomfortable.

Nutritional tips and feeding habits

There is no hard and fast rule on nausea control; the menu of tips is long and you need to try several techniques to discover what works best for you. The most common antidote, is having small carbohydrate snacks every two to three hours, which may provide some relief. The following nutritional tips and feeding habits may also help to relieve or reduce that nauseating feeling during pregnancy.

  •  Eat some dry bread, biscuits or cereal before getting up in the morning. And when you do get up, do so slowly, avoiding sudden movements.
  • Drink liquids ‘between’ rather than ‘with’ meals to avoid bloating, which can trigger vomiting.
  • Eat small meals throughout the day so that you’re never too full or too hungry.
  • Avoid rich, greasy (fatty) or highly spiced foods.
  • Suck something sour like a lemon.
  • Relax, rest and get into fresh air as much as possible. Keep rooms well ventilated and odour-free.
  • Slowly sip a fizzy or carbonated drink, for instance a soda, when you start feeling nauseated.
  • Try food and drinks containing ginger.
  • Avoid foods with smells that bother you.
  • Eat more carbohydrates, for instance, plain baked potato, white rice, dry toast.
  • Unsalted crackers and other unspiced or flavourless foods may also help.
  • Iron in prenatal vitamins can cause some reactions to some women. If you think your morning sickness is related to your vitamins, talk with your doctor before you stop taking them, or ask your doctor to prescribe some suitable alternative.
In late pregnancy

As the foetus grows, nausea is likely to subside. In late pregnancy heartburn is the more common complaint because the growing baby exerts more pressure on the abdomen. To beat heartburn, small, frequent meals may be better than large single meals. You may also try sleeping with your bed head raised a few inches. You can do this by putting a folded blanket or pillow under your mattress.

Some don’ts may also help reduce incidents or severity of heartburn. Do not eat late at night; Avoid bending, lifting or lying down after meals; Keep off excessive consumption of tea, coffee or alcohol.

Foods not recommended for pregnant women

Nausea, vomiting and heartburn may also be due to bacterial infection, from eating poorly cooked or contaminated foods. Certain foods, some of which are listed below, are not recommended for pregnant women- due to risks associated with harmful food bacteria.

  • Raw meat such as seafood, or rare and undercooked meat.
  • Raw eggs or foods containing raw eggs, such as Caesar’s dressing, mayonnaise, homemade ice cream or custard, because raw eggs may be contaminated with salmonella bacteria.
  • Certain fish and cheeses may also be unsafe. Avoid soft cheese such as blue cheese. Fish is a generally recommended meal, but you need to be sure about the source, because fish from contaminated waters may pose a threat to both you and your baby.
  • The bacteria listeria monocytogenes can contaminate some foods, and be a risk for pregnant women. Pre-cooked or ready-to-eat cold foods that will not be re-heated; for example salads and delicatessen meats like ham and salami, may not be advisable to consume. Untreated foods such as unpasteurised cow milk, soft serve ice cream and soft cheeses may also habour this bacteria, and pose a threat.

If you suspect you have an infection, consult your health care provider immediately.

END: PG 06/24

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