Pregnancy Nausea and Vomiting

By Helena Slako

DipHerbMed, NBNatMed, MNZAMH

Morning sickness is wrongly named. Nausea and vomiting do not just occur just in the morning, but at any stage day or night. Instead it should be called “pregnancy sickness”. ‘Pregnancy sickness’ affects most pregnant women at some stage or another, often at its worst in the first trimester. This is nothing new, I hear you say, “we know that!” Sometimes nausea and vomiting can be quite severe extending beyond the first trimester, far into the second and at times the entire pregnancy. This condition is called ’Hyperemesis’. Hyper means over/above; emesis is the medical term for nausea/vomiting. Pregnant women affected in this way are often hospitalised, and placed on a drip to maintain fluids.

So what causes nausea and vomiting during pregnancy?

Often there is more than one reason nausea occurs. A combination of several factors can contribute to form an overall larger picture of health, like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. Progesterone, the hormone responsible for maintaining a pregnancy, increases rapidly once conception occurs which is quite normal. However, the body is not used to such high levels, so it can take a while to adjust or stabilise. Circulating oestrogens within blood and tissues after conception may cause problems too, by stimulating an increase in progesterone production to counteract oestrogens. This can create an imbalance of hormones increasing nausea. The most important factor in pregnancy sickness is blood sugar fluctuations. This may be caused by not eating often or eating enough. Blood glucose levels drop causing hypoglycaemia: hypo means less/under. Glycaemia is the medical term for glucose. Blood glucose levels usually are at the lowest around 3am onwards. On waking it is often then that nausea and vomiting is at its worst. This gives rise to the term “morning sickness”. With some women, fluctuating blood sugars continue throughout daytime, hitting another low before dinner. This may be compounded by poor stomach acid production or digestive problems, further reducing the ability to process foods. Liver function is very important as it is the body’s manufacturing plant, processing foods we eat and ensuring removal of unwanted waste. The liver also stores glucose. When the liver dysfunctions, food is not processed properly providing less available nutrition. Unwanted substances continue to circulate, which may cause toxicity, increasing nausea. A lack of stored glucose may compound the hypoglycaemia scenario. Nutritional deficiencies can also be a problem. Oral contraceptive use prior to pregnancy or insufficient diet can cause nutritional deficiencies of vitamin B6, zinc, vitamin K, and EFA omega 3/6.

So what can you do?

Try eating little and often. This supports digestion and reduces liver and stomach overload, while supporting stable blood glucose levels. Quality protein before bedtime can maintain glucose levels throughout the night. Dry crackers eaten before rising can reduce nausea and vomiting in the morning. Quality supplementation of vitamin B6 at 25mg per day. High vitamin B6 foods include: Brewers Yeast, sunflower seeds, legumes, walnuts, whole grains, fruits, green leafy vegetables (spinach, silver beet), organ meats (liver, kidneys etc), eggs, wheat germ, prunes, avocado, garlic and nuts. Quality zinc supplementation of 8-11mgs per day. High zinc foods include: seafood, pumpkin seeds, liver, red meats, eggs, nuts, beans, whole grains and brewers yeast. Quality EFA fish oils at 3000mgs daily Vitamin K can be increased by ensuring good healthy bacteria in the bowel. Supplementing quality bowel flora or acidophilus yogurt with the herb slippery elm powder can help to increase flora and vitamin K production.

Herbs can be helpful!

Many herbs are not to be taken during pregnancy; however some are safe and may relieve symptoms. Ginger root: is the best herb for nausea and vomiting. Grate ½ teaspoons of root per cup boiling water, infuse 10 minutes and sip regularly. Other options: ginger powder, ginger tablets, crystallised ginger, or ginger beer (last 2 contain sugar). Peppermint tea: reduces mild nausea and supports digestion Chamomile tea: for mild nausea, increases/ supports digestion, calms and supports sleep. Lemon balm tea: for mild nausea and increasing digestion.