Nausea, constipation, heartburn and food sensitivities are common nutrition-related concerns during pregnancy. A few simple strategies can help alleviate maternal discomforts.
NAUSEA: Not all women have queasy stomachs in the early months of pregnancy, but many do. The nausea of "morning sickness" may actually occur anytime and ranges from mild queasiness to debilitating nausea and vomiting. severe and continued vomiting may require hospitalization if it results in acidosis, dehydration, or excessive weight loss. The hormonal changes of early pregnancy seem to be responsible for a woman's sensitivities to the appearance, texture, or smell of foods. Traditional strategies for quelling or alleviating nausea of pregnancy are
1) On waking, arise slowly.
2) Eat dry toast or crackers.
3) Chew gum or suck hard candies.
4) Eat small, frequent meals.
5) Avoid food with offensive odors.
6) When nauseated, drink carbonated beverages instead of citrus juice, water, milk, coffee, or tea.
Some women benefit most from resting when nauseous and simply eating the food they want when they feel like eating. They also find comfort in a cleaner, quieter, and more temperate environment.
CONSTIPATION AND HEMORRHOIDS: As the hormones of pregnancy alter muscle tone and the growing fetus crowds intestinal organs, an expectant mother may experience constipation. She may also develop hemorrhoids (swollen veins of the rectum). Hemorrhoids can be painful, and straining during bowel movements and may cause bleeding. She can gain relief by following these strategies to prevent or alleviate constipation;
1) Eat foods high in fiber (fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain cereals).
2) Exercise regularly.
3) Drink at least eight glasses of liquids a day.
4) Respond promptly to the urge to defecate.
5) Use laxatives only as prescribed by a physician; do not use mineral oil, because it interferes with absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.
HEARTBURN: Heartburn is another common complaint during pregnancy. The hormones of pregnancy relax the digestive muscles, and the growing fetus puts increasing pressure on the mother's stomach. This combination allows stomach acid to back up into the lower esophagus, creating a burning sensation near the heart. Tips to help relieve heartburn are;
1) Relax and eat slowly.
2) Chew food thoroughly.
3) Eat small, frequent meals.
4) Drink liquids between meals.
5) Avoid spicy or greasy foods.
6) Sit up while eating; elevate the head while sleeping.
7) Wait an hour after eating before lying down.
8) Wait two hours after eating before exercising.
FOOD CRAVINGS AND AVERSIONS: Some women develop cravings for, or aversions to, particular foods and beverages during pregnancy. Food cravings and food aversions are fairly common, but they do not seem to real physiological needs. In other words, a woman who craves pickles does not necessarily need salt. Similarly, craving for ice cream are common in pregnancy but do not signify a calcium deficiency. Craving and aversions that arise during pregnancy are mostly likely due to hormone-induced changes in sensitivity to taste and smell.
NONFOOD CRAVINGS: Some pregnant women develop cravings for nonfood items such as freezer frost, laundry starch, clay, soil, or ice-a practice non as pica. Pica is a cultural phenomenon that reflects a society's folklore; it is especially common among African American women. Pica is often associated with iron-deficiency anemia, but whether iron deficiency leads to pica or pica leads to iron deficiency is unclear. Eating clay or soil may interfere with iron absorption and displace iron-rich foods from the diet.
NAUSEA: Not all women have queasy stomachs in the early months of pregnancy, but many do. The nausea of "morning sickness" may actually occur anytime and ranges from mild queasiness to debilitating nausea and vomiting. severe and continued vomiting may require hospitalization if it results in acidosis, dehydration, or excessive weight loss. The hormonal changes of early pregnancy seem to be responsible for a woman's sensitivities to the appearance, texture, or smell of foods. Traditional strategies for quelling or alleviating nausea of pregnancy are
1) On waking, arise slowly.
2) Eat dry toast or crackers.
3) Chew gum or suck hard candies.
4) Eat small, frequent meals.
5) Avoid food with offensive odors.
6) When nauseated, drink carbonated beverages instead of citrus juice, water, milk, coffee, or tea.
Some women benefit most from resting when nauseous and simply eating the food they want when they feel like eating. They also find comfort in a cleaner, quieter, and more temperate environment.
CONSTIPATION AND HEMORRHOIDS: As the hormones of pregnancy alter muscle tone and the growing fetus crowds intestinal organs, an expectant mother may experience constipation. She may also develop hemorrhoids (swollen veins of the rectum). Hemorrhoids can be painful, and straining during bowel movements and may cause bleeding. She can gain relief by following these strategies to prevent or alleviate constipation;
1) Eat foods high in fiber (fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain cereals).
2) Exercise regularly.
3) Drink at least eight glasses of liquids a day.
4) Respond promptly to the urge to defecate.
5) Use laxatives only as prescribed by a physician; do not use mineral oil, because it interferes with absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.
HEARTBURN: Heartburn is another common complaint during pregnancy. The hormones of pregnancy relax the digestive muscles, and the growing fetus puts increasing pressure on the mother's stomach. This combination allows stomach acid to back up into the lower esophagus, creating a burning sensation near the heart. Tips to help relieve heartburn are;
1) Relax and eat slowly.
2) Chew food thoroughly.
3) Eat small, frequent meals.
4) Drink liquids between meals.
5) Avoid spicy or greasy foods.
6) Sit up while eating; elevate the head while sleeping.
7) Wait an hour after eating before lying down.
8) Wait two hours after eating before exercising.
FOOD CRAVINGS AND AVERSIONS: Some women develop cravings for, or aversions to, particular foods and beverages during pregnancy. Food cravings and food aversions are fairly common, but they do not seem to real physiological needs. In other words, a woman who craves pickles does not necessarily need salt. Similarly, craving for ice cream are common in pregnancy but do not signify a calcium deficiency. Craving and aversions that arise during pregnancy are mostly likely due to hormone-induced changes in sensitivity to taste and smell.
NONFOOD CRAVINGS: Some pregnant women develop cravings for nonfood items such as freezer frost, laundry starch, clay, soil, or ice-a practice non as pica. Pica is a cultural phenomenon that reflects a society's folklore; it is especially common among African American women. Pica is often associated with iron-deficiency anemia, but whether iron deficiency leads to pica or pica leads to iron deficiency is unclear. Eating clay or soil may interfere with iron absorption and displace iron-rich foods from the diet.
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