Why there is toxicosis during pregnancy and how to treat it

What is toxicosis

Morning nausea, vomiting, weakness, familiar to many expectant mothers, we call toxicosis of the first or second trimesters of pregnancy. Western doctors prefer another term - NVP Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy (Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy; TRP - "nausea and vomiting of pregnant women"). And this has its own reason.

The word toxicosis comes from the Greek word for poisonous. This is how the body reacts to some kind of life-threatening poison. But there is nothing poisonous about nausea during pregnancy. Moreover: American doctors consider Nausea During Pregnancy to be one of the signs of normal fetal development.

Nausea and vomiting are common, and statistically affect up to 70–80% of all pregnant women.

But still, sometimes toxicosis becomes dangerous.

When toxicosis during pregnancy is normal

Here are the main signs:

Unpleasant sensations occur 2-6 weeks after conception.
Lasts up to about 12-14 weeks, gradually weakening.
Most often, nausea occurs on an empty stomach, in the morning.
At other times of the day, the woman does not feel sick, that is, toxicosis practically does not affect the quality of her life.

When toxicosis can be dangerous

In rare cases, nausea and vomiting of the first or second trimester are acute, strong, almost constant. This condition is called hyperemesis gravidarum. It occurs in 0, 3–2% of pregnant women.

Due to incessant nausea, a woman cannot eat, she loses weight, her body does not receive essential nutrients, which threatens the health, and even the life of both the expectant mother and her baby. There are often cases when an exhausted victim of toxicosis even decides to have an abortion - just to stop the torture.

Hyperemesis requires a mandatory consultation with a doctor. You may need treatment in a hospital, work with a psychotherapist and the involvement of social services that will help a woman get through a difficult period (this is important if a pregnant woman lives alone, and even more so alone raises older children).

There is another type of toxicosis - late. Late toxicosis (aka preeclampsia) occurs in the second half of pregnancy, usually after 28 weeks, and is considered a pathology. Its symptoms: severe edema, including internal organs, a sharp increase in blood pressure, convulsions. This condition is treated exclusively in a hospital or even intensive care unit, and this is another story.

Where does toxicosis come from during pregnancy

Scientists are still not in the know. They did not manage to find out exactly what factor triggers toxicosis. Is nausea during pregnancy a good sign? that the cause of TRB is complex:

Hormonal changes in the body due to pregnancy.
Evolutionary adaptation. In ancient times, a woman who felt sick stayed at home by a fire in her own cave, which meant that she had less risk of being eaten before becoming a mother.
Psychological moments. Pregnancy, even the long-awaited and joyful one, is still stressful. And nausea is a side effect.

Who has toxicosis more often

You are at risk for Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy if:

this is your first pregnancy;
you have experienced severe toxicosis in previous pregnancies;
you are prone to motion sickness;
you have migraines;
you feel unwell when taking oral contraceptives containing estrogen;
there are twins among your older children;
you are obese (body mass index over 30).

There is also data from Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy that women are at increased risk of toxicosis:

without higher education;
household workers or working part-time or remotely;
having a low income.

How to treat toxicosis during pregnancy

Unfortunately, since the causes of toxicosis are not yet clear, there is no specific treatment either. You can only try to overcome the unpleasant symptoms by making lifestyle changes.

Here is what doctors recommend Vomiting and morning sickness in pregnancy to do with toxicosis of the first and second trimesters of pregnancy:

Get more rest. Fatigue can trigger or worsen nausea.
Avoid food or odors that make you sick.
In the morning, immediately after getting out of bed, eat a slice of toast or plain biscuits without additives. Do not get active on an empty stomach.
Eat small meals more often. The ideal foods for TRD are foods that are high in carbohydrates and low in fat. For example, bread, rice, crackers, pasta.
Drink plenty of water. Carry the bottle with you and sip a little throughout the day. Water can be replaced with dried fruit compote, rosehip decoction, citrus fresh juices.
Include foods and drinks that contain ginger in your diet: There is evidence that ginger can help reduce nausea and vomiting.
Try acupuncture. There is some evidence for the Effect of acustimulation on nausea and vomiting and on hyperemesis in pregnancy: a systematic review of Western and Chinese literature that pressure on the wrist at a point 2–3 cm above the wrist crease, between two easily felt tendons, may relieve symptoms of TRP. Press these points on both wrists for 5-10 minutes at least once a day. There are anti-nausea acupuncture bracelets on the market that use the same principle, but check with your doctor before purchasing.

If, despite changes in lifestyle, symptoms of toxicosis do not decrease, be sure to inform your gynecologist. Your healthcare provider will recommend antiemetic drugs that are safe for pregnant women.