Pregnancy and nausea
Nausea is a distressing but rarely dangerous side effect of pregnancy. Severe nausea and vomiting in pregnancy (NVP) affects approximately 30% of pregnant women according to a recent report. Usually associated with the first trimester, for some women it can accompany the entire pregnancy.
The intensity and distress differs between women. Many people consider early morning sickness to be expected during the early months and prior to the availability of pregnancy testing kits that can confirm pregnancy within days of conception, nausea and food preferences were often a sign of a new pregnancy.
There are few descriptions of how nausea feels (the rise of an overwhelming feeling of the need to vomit) and for some it may be transitory - like a wave that rises and subsides. Or, in more severe cases a continuing feeling of sickness, unsteadiness and distress. Rising levels of oestrogen can also heighten the sense of smell which may also be responsible for triggering an episode of NAV.
When accompanied by vomiting or a reluctance to eat any food, there can be more serious consequences. Dehydration, lack of absorption of essential nutrients may affect the mother and baby. The emotional consequences should not be ignored: in extreme cases, women have aborted, rejected the baby (seen as the cause of the sickness) and experienced relationship and work related problems if they are unable to carry on their day to day life.
Symptoms
The main symptom is a feeling of nausea which may or may not, be accompanied by vomiting. This may happen in the morning before rising, or at any time during the day. Many women feel unsteady and insecure and respond by seeking stillness and a moment of calm until it passes.
Only 13% of women have symptoms exclusively in the morning. The majority have symptoms before or after midday
Other symptoms include vomiting, reluctance to eat, food preferences, dehydration, exhaustion and fatigue. Emotional symptoms include depression, anxiety, distress, anger and feelings of isolation and helplessness.
Causes
Although science has been unable to accurately determine the cause of NAV and why it affect some women and not others, it is generally accepted that it is due to changes in hormone levels and blood sugar levels.The NHS currently lists possible causes
as:
•increased oestrogen levels
•increased human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) levels
•nutritional deficiency
•gastric problems
•evolutionary adaptation
•psychological influences
Treatment
Low levels of Vitamin B6 have been suggested as having a role in the condition known as hyperemesis gravidarum a more severe form of NVP and this can be helped with prescribed supplements after a change in diet to include whole cereals (oatmeal and wheat germ), cod, soya beans and milk has been tried.
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence allows the treatment of NVP with antihistamines.Early treatment is recommended especially for women who have experienced NVP in a previous pregnancy.
Can yoga help?
Depending on the degree of NVP – time of day, severity and motivation of each individual – yoga can be a great support, especially in the lifestyle changes that may be a solution and prevent the need for medication and serious emotional distress.
In less serious cases, dietary advice such as eating small light meals and keeping hydrated can be a simple solution until the
nausea passes later into the pregnancy. Most women will be familiar with advice such as rising from bed slowly
having a drink and biscuit before getting up, the use of ginger and herbal teas etc…Other advice will require more knowledge of the woman involved as symptoms may be similar and familiar but individuals react in many different ways. Yoga teachers should be very aware that what may be well meaning advice can be taken as definitive and women may resist taking professional medical advice. Yoga can provide support and discussion may help encourage an understanding that the condition is shared and this may relieve feelings of anxiety.
.
Physical poses may need to be adapted resisted during an episode of NVP when stillness and quiet are often preferred…This is a good time to practise ‘stillness’ a light breathing practice and an acceptance of transition. Any poses that require
constriction/pressure of the bandhas may prove uncomfortable and inverted positions should be avoided.
Further reading: Gadsby R, Barnie-Adshead T. Severe nausea and vomiting of pregnancy: should it be treated with appropriate pharmacotherapy? The Obstetrician & Gynaecologist
2011;13:107–111.
Nausea is a distressing but rarely dangerous side effect of pregnancy. Severe nausea and vomiting in pregnancy (NVP) affects approximately 30% of pregnant women according to a recent report. Usually associated with the first trimester, for some women it can accompany the entire pregnancy.
The intensity and distress differs between women. Many people consider early morning sickness to be expected during the early months and prior to the availability of pregnancy testing kits that can confirm pregnancy within days of conception, nausea and food preferences were often a sign of a new pregnancy.
There are few descriptions of how nausea feels (the rise of an overwhelming feeling of the need to vomit) and for some it may be transitory - like a wave that rises and subsides. Or, in more severe cases a continuing feeling of sickness, unsteadiness and distress. Rising levels of oestrogen can also heighten the sense of smell which may also be responsible for triggering an episode of NAV.
When accompanied by vomiting or a reluctance to eat any food, there can be more serious consequences. Dehydration, lack of absorption of essential nutrients may affect the mother and baby. The emotional consequences should not be ignored: in extreme cases, women have aborted, rejected the baby (seen as the cause of the sickness) and experienced relationship and work related problems if they are unable to carry on their day to day life.
Symptoms
The main symptom is a feeling of nausea which may or may not, be accompanied by vomiting. This may happen in the morning before rising, or at any time during the day. Many women feel unsteady and insecure and respond by seeking stillness and a moment of calm until it passes.
Only 13% of women have symptoms exclusively in the morning. The majority have symptoms before or after midday
Other symptoms include vomiting, reluctance to eat, food preferences, dehydration, exhaustion and fatigue. Emotional symptoms include depression, anxiety, distress, anger and feelings of isolation and helplessness.
Causes
Although science has been unable to accurately determine the cause of NAV and why it affect some women and not others, it is generally accepted that it is due to changes in hormone levels and blood sugar levels.The NHS currently lists possible causes
as:
•increased oestrogen levels
•increased human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) levels
•nutritional deficiency
•gastric problems
•evolutionary adaptation
•psychological influences
Treatment
Low levels of Vitamin B6 have been suggested as having a role in the condition known as hyperemesis gravidarum a more severe form of NVP and this can be helped with prescribed supplements after a change in diet to include whole cereals (oatmeal and wheat germ), cod, soya beans and milk has been tried.
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence allows the treatment of NVP with antihistamines.Early treatment is recommended especially for women who have experienced NVP in a previous pregnancy.
Can yoga help?
Depending on the degree of NVP – time of day, severity and motivation of each individual – yoga can be a great support, especially in the lifestyle changes that may be a solution and prevent the need for medication and serious emotional distress.
In less serious cases, dietary advice such as eating small light meals and keeping hydrated can be a simple solution until the
nausea passes later into the pregnancy. Most women will be familiar with advice such as rising from bed slowly
having a drink and biscuit before getting up, the use of ginger and herbal teas etc…Other advice will require more knowledge of the woman involved as symptoms may be similar and familiar but individuals react in many different ways. Yoga teachers should be very aware that what may be well meaning advice can be taken as definitive and women may resist taking professional medical advice. Yoga can provide support and discussion may help encourage an understanding that the condition is shared and this may relieve feelings of anxiety.
.
Physical poses may need to be adapted resisted during an episode of NVP when stillness and quiet are often preferred…This is a good time to practise ‘stillness’ a light breathing practice and an acceptance of transition. Any poses that require
constriction/pressure of the bandhas may prove uncomfortable and inverted positions should be avoided.
Further reading: Gadsby R, Barnie-Adshead T. Severe nausea and vomiting of pregnancy: should it be treated with appropriate pharmacotherapy? The Obstetrician & Gynaecologist
2011;13:107–111.