Wednesday 19 December 2012

Strategies for Nausea in Pregnancy


There are several theories as to what causes nausea during pregnancy, but no one knows for certain why women experience it, or why some women experience it and others do not, or why there seems to be great variation in a woman’s experience between pregnancies.
Current theories include blood sugar fluctuations; the idea is that the nausea is worse when blood sugar dips. The other mainstay theory is related to the hormonal fluctuations; high levels of progesterone are replacing the typical balanced interplay between estrogen and progesterone, the system is adjusting to the presence of growth hormone in higher and higher levels. Or finally, that nausea is an evolutionary asset to protect unborn children from environmental hazards; which may explain why certain smells can really trigger nausea in many pregnant women.
The top naturopathic strategies I’ve used in practice take some trial and error, as all women are different, a treatment that works amazingly for one woman may not work for the next, my advice is to never throw in the towel before exploring all your options.
Start with nutrition. Eating enough is crucial, eating often, as often as every couple of hours is very helpful is reducing mild to moderate pregnancy nausea. Protein is very important to include whenever eating as it helps to keep blood sugar levels stable. If soda crackers on the night stand work, make sure to follow up with some nuts, seeds, meat, legumes or dairy to keep blood sugar levels more stable. The fast release sugar from starch in the crackers is helpful but it will trigger another dip in blood sugar if not properly balanced with protein. Too nauseous to eat? Start with another strategy until your feel up for small protein containing snack sized meals. As a Naturopath I am always focused on liver function, supporting the liver can help with blood sugar control as well other areas of metabolism. Eating plenty of fresh green vegetables and having fresh squeezed lemon in water first thing in the morning are gentle liver support techniques for expectant mamas. I also love to see moms at least three months before trying to conceive to cleanse the tissues and support liver and digestive function to prepare as much as possible for a smooth pregnancy.
My favorite botanical medicine for nausea is ginger. It is readily available in countless forms; capsules, tincture, ginger chews, lollipops, ginger ale, ginger tea, fresh ginger root. I encourage women to take it frequently throughout the day when nausea is bad. I love using this herb, as when it works for a woman; it generally works very fast, allowing it to be used as a preventative, or, as needed for occasional nausea. Remember, if a one of the sugar laden forms of ginger is chosen it should be combined with a snack size serving of protein or the whole cycle may be triggered again.
Vitamin B6, pyridoxine, is one of the two active ingredients in diclectin, the pharmaceutical anti-nauseant used during pregnancy. There is B6 in most prenatal vitamins but there may not be enough to exert a therapeutic effect, it can be safely taken in much higher amounts. Vitamin B6 helps with hormone breakdown in the liver, so theoretically this is why it helps prevent and treat nausea during pregnancy. B6 is readily available at pharmacies or health food stores. It should always be taken with food with the advise of your health care practitioner.
Acupuncture can also be very help for nausea during pregnancy. One point in particular pericardium 6 (PC 6) has helped enough pregnant women and sailors through bouts of nausea that a company has manufactured a device to keep the point steadily stimulated (C-bands). PC 6 is located on the inside of the wrist about two inches from the base of the palm, going towards the elbow. It is located by searching for a tender spot between the two mid-line tendons there. A women can apply pressure to this point when ever feeling a bout of nausea starting, or seek out a Naturopathic doctor or other licensed acupuncturist for a more comprehensive treatment approach.
Many women do still feel occasional nausea after the first trimester, and some experience it during their complete gestational period. The good news, of course, is that most cases of severe nausea have significantly relented by the end of the third or fourth month. Rest is by far the best strategy. A woman should stay active, but she should also relax and take it easy on herself as much as possible during this precious time.