Why Nausea Late In Pregnancy?

Most of the 70 to 80 percent of women who experience the intermittent queasiness and vomiting commonly known as morning sickness can expect it to be a relatively brief but unpleasant phase at the beginning of pregnancy. It usually starts at the beginning of pregnancy—notoriously it is one of the very first symptoms for many women—and it generally passes by the end of the third or fourth month. In some cases, however, for reasons that are not clear, an expectant mother will continue to suffer moderate to severe nausea late in pregnancy. It is thought that morning sickness in general is linked to the dramatic fluctuations in a number of different hormones in the mother’s body, and those changes do continue throughout the term. The increasing size of the fetus creates pressure on the stomach and other internal organs, which can also interfere with the digestive process and may explain the continued nausea and food-intolerance. Throughout the pregnancy, women are advised to replace their regular meal schedule with frequent smaller portions to prevent overfilling their stomachs. This advice is probably particularly applicable during the final trimester when the abdominal cavity is most crowded. This continued discomfort and even vomiting through the third trimester is not necessarily a sign of any serious problem as long as the mother is able to maintain a good level of nutrition and hydration. Dehydration is a particular concern during the final weeks, since it can lead to premature labor, so the expectant mother is urged to make sure she is getting enough liquid. Regular visits with the obstetrician/gynecologist should be able to verify that both mother and child are getting the nutrients they need. And of course any serious stomach pain should be reported immediately. Dehydration is in fact a key symptom of the one form of morning sickness that really can present a serious health risk and requires medical attention. This condition is called “hyperemesis gravidarum” and is really just morning sickness taken to the extreme, with vomiting so frequent, persistent, and severe that it leads to dehydration and significant weight loss. Aside from weight loss, some of the warning signs of hyperemesis gravidarum include fainting and lightheadedness, rapid pulse and high blood pressure, a decrease in urine production due to dehydration, mental disorientation, confusion and depression. The inability to keep any food in the system is likely to lead to dangerous nutritional deficiencies for both mother and child. Any of these symptoms warrant immediate attention and medical consultation. In milder instances, bedrest, a change of diet and use of anti-emetic drugs and antacids may bring the condition under sufficient control, But advanced cases may require hospitalization so that the mother can receive intravenous feeding and nutrition. Fortunately, hyperemesis gravidarum is quite rare, and even less severe late-term nausea and vomiting are not widespread. It is important, however, for pregnant women who do suffer these extended symptoms to keep their doctor informed of exactly what is happening. They should keep track of the frequency and severity of any vomiting and also of whatever home remedies they have already tried so that their doctor will have the necessary data to identify and treat their problem as quickly as possible. And Now that you have learned about nausea late in pregnancy and are ready for some in depth details on alleviating morning sickness, then it is time to go grab your copy of "What Every Pregnant Woman Must Know: Alleviating Morning Sickness" here: Nausea Late Pregnancy – you will be glad you did!