Nausea and vomiting are just a few words of pregnancy: they affect 50 to 90% of pregnant women and usually begin during the first weeks of pregnancy. However, there are effective remedies to relieve them. Don’t hesitate to try out several of these tips before talking to your doctor.

If they often disappear at the end of the first trimester, they last in 20% of cases until the end of the pregnancy.

In the most severe cases of nausea and vomiting, we speak of hyperemesis gravidarum: continuous vomiting in large quantities disturbs the good nutrition of the mother-to-be. This most acute form affects between 0.3 and 3% of pregnant women.

The origins of these disorders

Hormonal reasons

The hormonal upheaval associated with pregnancy plays a large part in the onset of nausea and vomiting. During the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, a hormone, commonly known as hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) – the one that is dosed to determine if a woman is pregnant – is suddenly and heavily released. The level of hCG would be directly related to the intensity of nausea. In fact, research shows that women who are more prone to nausea have higher levels of hCG and T4 thyroid hormone.

The rate stabilizes in the second trimester of pregnancy and the nausea often subsides at the same time.

Physical and biological origins

From the start of pregnancy, there are many physical upheavals. The uterus, by changing and enlarging, can compress the diaphragm more or less and thus provoke reactions of nausea.

Fatigue experienced during the first few months of pregnancy can also contribute to nausea.

Nausea and vomiting can also occur after infection with bacteria called Helicobacter pylori and can possibly be accentuated by a deficiency in vitamins and in particular in Vitamin B6.

The smells

During pregnancy, the pregnant woman has an overdeveloped sense of smell. This ancient mechanism would aim to protect the fetus, very fragile during the first trimester, from possible poisons. So, in the old days, women instinctively protected themselves by not eating dishes with an unpleasant smell that might contain spoiled food. Nowadays, this hypersensitivity leads to that certain smells like those of perspiration, perfume, exhaust pipes or even cooked food can be very unpleasant for the pregnant woman and cause nausea.

Unless the symptoms are acute, you will not be prescribed any medication during your pregnancy. However, here are some tips to avoid unpleasant feelings of nausea:

As soon as you wake up 

The best way to avoid morning sickness and post-nap sickness is to eat something while you are still in bed. Prepare some rusks, almonds or dried fruits for example on your bedside table. Ideally wait 5 to 10 minutes before getting out of bed but stay in a semi-lying or sitting position. And if you’re not very hungry in the morning, stick with light foods like dairy and fruit to start. You will complete with a cereal product later in the morning and with a few almonds for example. Either way, avoid breakfasts that are too heavy and too fatty, which are difficult to digest. So avoid pastries and industrial products such as pound cake, donuts or brioches.

Away from meals and as soon as nausea is felt

Drink a few sips of water to keep your stomach from going completely empty. Weakly mineralized and slightly acidic waters seem to be particularly effective.

One trick that works for many pregnant women is to drink a full glass of water with just one lemon in the morning on an empty stomach. Carbonated water also seems to work well by promoting digestive assimilation. In the event of vomiting, remember to hydrate yourself well to compensate for the water losses and to avoid an electrolyte imbalance.

All day long

Divide your diet so that you have several small meals. To do this, spread each of your meals in 2 or 3 snacks and favor foods without a strong odor such as apples, bread, cereals, turkey breast, dried fruits and oleaginous fruits (almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, etc. .). Also prefer cold meals rather than hot to avoid odors.

To combat nausea and vomiting, some grandmother’s remedies seem to work quite well:

Ginger

By its sedative action on the stomach, ginger is an effective remedy against nausea. However, the very special taste of this root may put you off. In this case, of course, do not force yourself.

Use :

• Confit: eat it alone, away from meals
• As a decoction: bring a cup of water to a gentle boil, covered, then turn off the heat. Let infuse 5 to 10 min depending on your taste, 1 tbsp. to c. a level of crushed dried ginger or 2 tbsp. to c. grated fresh ginger. Filter and drink 2 to 4 cups a day. Add lemon if necessary to mask the spiciness of the ginger.
• In dehydrated powder, in lukewarm water, with lemon juice, a little sugar or agave syrup for example.
• In the form of a food supplement, in a capsule. You will find it in pharmacies or organic stores. Respect the dosage indicated by your pharmacist.

The lemon

The acidity of lemon seems to be relatively effective in stopping nausea by stimulating digestive functions. Contrary to popular belief, lemon being oxidized during digestion, neutralizes gastric acidity and therefore does not induce acidity in the body.

Use :

• Freshly squeezed lemon juice: add 1 to 2 tbsp. to c. of lemon juice in half a glass of hot water. However, do not exceed one whole lemon juice per serving. Drink this drink several times a day.
• Store-bought lemon juice: use the same way as fresh lemon juice.

Lavender

Lavender aids digestion by increasing gastric secretions and intestinal motility. It is an effective remedy to relieve nausea after a heavy meal.

Use :

• In the form of a food supplement, in a capsule. You will find it in pharmacies. Respect the dosage indicated by your pharmacist.
• In infusion: infuse, covered, 10 g of lavender flowers for a liter of water for 10 minutes. Drink this herbal tea throughout the day.
• Essential oil of true lavender, or officinal lavender: put 1 drop in a teaspoon of store-bought honey and let it melt in the mouth. In an emergency, take the drop directly under the tongue. To be taken 4 to 5 times a day, possibly on an empty stomach in the event of severe nausea.

Note: the essential oil of true lavender is one of the essential oils that are safe for pregnant women and infants.

Homeopathy

Whatever the cause of your nausea, homeopathy is often a great remedy to relieve it.

Make the good choice :

• In case of nausea upon awakening and which calms down with breakfast: Sepia 9 CH. Dosage: 5 granules twice a day
• In case of nausea triggered by the smell of food but which is reduced by eating after meals: Ignatia 9CH. Dosage: 5 granules until symptoms disappear
• In the event of severe vomiting: Nux vomica 7 or 9 CH. Dosage: 5 granules once or twice a day and as soon as nausea appears: take 1 dose in 15 CH, once a week