Toxicosis in the first trimester. How to deal with toxicosis during pregnancy using pharmaceuticals and traditional methods

Weakness, constant fatigue, frequent nausea and vomiting - this is often how toxicosis manifests itself during pregnancy. Often such symptoms are supplemented by irritability, changes in taste, and loss of appetite. Signs of early toxicosis do not pose a danger to the expectant mother and child. But gestosis is a pregnancy complication later, poses a threat as women's health, and so does the fetus.

Nausea is one of the signs of pregnancy

What is toxicosis in pregnant women?

Toxicosis or intoxication is a pathological condition that is caused by poisoning of the body expectant mother endogenous toxins that are produced during fetal development. Suffering the most nervous system, metabolism is disrupted, problems in the functioning of the heart and blood vessels are observed.

Intoxication occurs in 90% of pregnant women, but it also happens late toxicosis, which occurs at the end of the 2nd or 3rd trimester. Depending on the intensity of symptoms, mild, moderate and severe degrees are determined. Complete absence negative signs are a sign of normal pregnancy and good health women.

Why does toxicosis occur during pregnancy?

Why toxicosis occurs is not fully understood. The main causes of the pathological condition, due to which unpleasant sensations appear, are considered to be:

  • changes in hormonal levels;
  • immune reactions of the body - protective cells in the first half of pregnancy mistake the fetus for a foreign body and produce increased amount antibodies to eliminate it;
  • unformed placenta - until the protective shell is fully formed and protects the body from intoxication, the systems independently try to cope with harmful substances;
  • defensive reaction - often appears in the later stages and is the body’s response to cigarette smoke, the smell of coffee, fish, eggs - everything that can harm the mother and the unborn baby;
  • chronic pathologies – untreated infections and diseases internal organs(enlarged thyroid gland, ulcer, pancreatitis) weaken a woman’s immunity, which leads to a worsening of the condition during pregnancy;
  • increased work of the subcortical structures of the brain - during gestation, the body tries to protect the fetus and activates those centers that are responsible for the gag reflex, sense of smell, the functioning of the heart, stomach, salivary glands, and blood vessels.

Toxicosis often occurs due to changes in hormonal levels

The psycho-emotional state of the expectant mother influences the development of toxicosis. Fears about the health of the unborn baby, fear of childbirth, constant worries, stress and, as a result, lack of sleep, overwork - all this provokes a deterioration in the pregnant woman’s well-being.

In addition to the reasons that contribute to the development of toxicosis in the early and late stages, there are risk factors for this condition:

  • infectious pathologies of the genitourinary system of a chronic nature;
  • the presence of multiple abortions;
  • multiple pregnancy;
  • heredity;
  • bad habits – smoking, alcohol, drugs;
  • improper and unbalanced diet;
  • age from 30–35 years.

If a woman does not have health problems, she leads an active lifestyle and monitors her emotional background, the risk of developing toxicosis is minimal.

First signs and symptoms of manifestation

The beginning of the first half of pregnancy in many women is accompanied by deterioration in health, weakness and irritability. The first and most common signs successful conception speakers:

  • morning sickness;
  • frequent vomiting;
  • drowsiness, lethargy, constant fatigue and apathy.

Morning sickness is one of the frequent consequences toxicosis

The expectant mother loses her appetite, salivation increases, weight decreases, and taste preferences change. Sometimes appears skin rash, asthma, bone tissue softens, and an involuntary spasm of skeletal muscles is felt.

In the later stages of gestation, in addition to vomiting and nausea, swelling of the lower extremities develops, the body weight of the expectant mother quickly increases (up to 450 g in 7 days), and blood pressure rises.

Unpleasant symptoms should not increase. If vomiting intensifies and health worsens, a severe form of toxicosis develops, in which blood pressure drops and the body becomes dehydrated. The likelihood of a threat to the life of the child and the expectant mother increases.

When does toxicosis begin?

The onset of toxicosis develops individually in each woman, but most often this period occurs:

  • 6–10 days after conception;
  • at the beginning of the 2nd month of pregnancy - from 5–6 weeks;
  • at the end of the 3rd trimester - 8–9 months.

5-6 weeks of pregnancy are considered the start for the onset of toxicosis

In the middle of pregnancy, at the end of the 2nd trimester, toxicosis is rare. Its appearance at this time is dangerous, as it threatens failure due to severe deterioration of the condition.

When does toxicosis go away in pregnant women?

Unpleasant symptoms last about 2–3.5 months. Peak toxicosis occurs at 8–10 weeks. Signs decrease from the 11th week, but continue until the protective membrane of the fetus (placenta) is completely formed and harmful substances no longer penetrate the body. On average, this process ends at a period of 3–3.5 months – 12–13 weeks.

How to deal with toxicosis during pregnancy?

Manifestations of mild intoxication of the body during pregnancy are reduced with the help of folk remedies and nutritional adjustments. In moderate and severe forms of toxicosis, it is possible to remove the symptoms with medications.

Medicines

Get rid of severe toxicosis real, if you comprehensively influence the cause of its occurrence. Several groups help normalize the functioning of the central incorrect system and reduce the main manifestations of intoxication medicines.

  1. Regulators of nervous system function that inhibit the gag reflex– Cerucal, Tavegil, Atropine. The tablets reduce morning sickness and vomiting, and establish an adequate response of the body to external stimuli.
  2. Drugs that prevent dehydration– Ringer's solution, amino acid solutions. Infusion therapy replenishes fluid lost by the body due to frequent and profuse vomiting.

Ringer's solution is needed for recovery water balance in organism

  1. Tablets that improve metabolismfolic acid, Riboxin, vitamin C, Cocarboxylase.
  2. Hepatoprotectors– Essentiale, Methionine, Chophytol. Drugs are created protective barrier for the liver, protecting it from toxic effect metabolic products.

Treatment of toxicosis medicines indicated in the case when vomiting is observed from 3 to 10 times a day, severe weakness develops, body temperature rises, blood pressure drops and rapid weight loss occurs.

Folk remedies

What to do if you have frequent attacks of nausea, weakness, fatigue in the morning, during the day or before bed? Use recipes traditional medicine. Safe and simple methods help get rid of unpleasant symptoms and normalize the condition of a pregnant woman.

Rosehip decoction helps to cope with toxicosis

Pour 1 liter of boiling water 2 tbsp. l. rose hips, boil for 5 minutes and let sit for half an hour. The drink helps reduce morning sickness, remove toxins from the body and prevent vomiting. The decoction is taken in the morning on an empty stomach, then 1 glass at lunchtime and in the evening.

White clay will relieve a pregnant woman from symptoms of toxicosis

Stir ¼ tsp in 2/3 cup of warm water. clay. The product is drunk in the morning before breakfast. The substance has a sorbing effect, which promotes excretion from the body harmful substances and minimizing signs of intoxication.

Freshly squeezed pomegranate juice

Freshly squeezed pomegranate juice stops the urge to vomit

During the day you need to drink 1 glass of pomegranate juice, diluted with water or beet juice. Healthy drink normalizes the functioning of the circulatory system and heart, improves appetite. The urge of nausea and vomiting stops after 1-2 doses of sour juice.

Lemon and mint

Lemon and mint are needed to improve the general condition of the body

Cut 1 lemon, 2-3 mint sprigs into small pieces, pour boiling water and leave for 25 minutes. Add honey to the warm drink to taste. The product is drunk in a glass throughout the day. The recipe helps improve the woman’s general condition – nausea disappears, drowsiness and feeling of fatigue decrease.

Ginger with lemon

Combine chopped lemon with 1 tsp. grated ginger root, place in a two-liter jar and fill to the top warm water. The ginger-lemon drink is infused for at least 10 hours, after which 1 glass is taken in the morning and evening. The infusion refreshes, gives strength, fights nausea, and prevents vomiting.

An infusion of ginger with lemon copes well with toxicosis and refreshes the body.

Mint candies, ginger tea, honey with water (1 teaspoon of honey per 200 ml), orange and grapefruit juices help overcome morning attacks of nausea and weakness. Each woman herself determines which methods suit her best by trying this or a folk recipe.

How can I relieve the condition in other ways?

It is possible to get rid of a mild form of toxicosis using effective methods.

  1. Adjust your diet. Eliminate fatty, spicy foods from your diet, limit sweets and flour products. Eat more fruits, vegetables, drink mineral water, mint tea. Take food in small portions 5-6 times a day.
  2. Lead a healthy and active lifestyle. Moderate physical exercise, morning exercises, long walks on fresh air, swimming - stimulate the normalization of all metabolic processes, strengthen the immune system and improve the general condition of the expectant mother.
  3. Maintain a sleep schedule. A pregnant woman should sleep at least 9–10 hours a day. Adequate sleep is the key to good health, vigor and good mood.
  4. Avoid stress and emotional fatigue. During pregnancy, a woman should protect herself from bad emotions and try to be positive.

Morning awakenings should not be abrupt. After sleep, it is useful to lie in bed for a while, eat 2-3 slices of orange or tangerine, and drink mint tea. Rest more during the day, drink sedative fees(motherwort, valerian), if you could not avoid stressful situations– all this helps to minimize discomfort and improve the well-being of the pregnant woman.

How does toxicosis affect the fetus?

Mild forms of early toxicosis do not pose a danger to the health and development of the unborn child. In the middle course of intoxication, a woman develops anemia, which leads to abnormalities in the development of the fetus. Severe degrees of toxicosis pose a threat to the life of not only the child, but also the mother.

Late toxicosis is also very dangerous. Its severe forms lead to placental insufficiency, what causes:

Oxygen starvation of the fetus due to toxicosis can be dangerous

  • oxygen starvation of the fetus (hypoxia);
  • developmental delay of the unborn child;
  • threat of fetal death ( premature detachment placenta).

To prevent negative impact toxicosis and gestosis, a woman is prescribed individual treatment, which includes certain medications, vitamin complexes, nutrition and lifestyle adjustments.

It seems that there is not a single expectant mother who would not encounter toxicosis on early stages pregnancy. And the stories of friends who gave birth can even fill the entire period of pregnancy with gloomy expectations.

Toxicosis during pregnancy can be expressed in different ways: from mild morning sickness to vomiting 3-10 times a day, which requires medical supervision and treatment. There are several signs of toxicosis, but the most noticeable and painful is nausea, which sometimes causes real suffering.

Why does toxicosis occur?

The beginning of pregnancy is a time of great change and a very exciting time.

Causes of toxicosis in early pregnancy:

  1. hormonal changes body;
  2. a woman’s fears and anxiety, her increased emotionality, even in the case of an expected pregnancy, therefore the “expulsion” of toxicosis is largely in the hands of the expectant mother herself;
  3. maternal response immune system.
  • The level of hormones in the blood rises quickly, but the nervous system does not have time to adapt after them;
  • As a result, the functions of special areas of the brain - the so-called subcortical nuclei - are impaired;
  • Special zones become active in them, which affect the vomiting centers and a painful symptom of nausea occurs;
  • Embryo or ovum is a foreign body for the mother’s body, which a woman carries for several months, and pregnancy itself is stressful;
  • During the life of the fetus, certain organic substances are released into the blood;
  • Toxicosis is the body's response to their appearance. The manifestation of this response is akin to poisoning: it causes attacks of nausea, vomiting and a general deterioration in well-being.

It is no coincidence that this condition is called toxicosis: from the word “toxin” - a poison of biological origin. But, of course, toxicosis in the first trimester of pregnancy is not poisoning. Rather, a special, individual state, a peculiar defensive reaction female body.

The “risk group” for toxicosis includes women over 35 years of age, with gynecological diseases, operations and abortions in the past, kidney and (or) liver diseases, endocrine disorders, smokers.

When toxicosis appears

Many women are concerned about the question of when does toxicosis begin during early pregnancy?

  1. A normal pregnancy is characterized by the appearance of the first signs of toxicosis from the 4th to the 8th week;
  2. Some mothers notice its signs literally from the first days of the delay and even a little earlier.

Know! Mild nausea in early pregnancy - normal phenomenon. It begins at the 5th or 6th week, reaching a peak at the 12th, but does not require additional medical attention, but requires a calm attitude from the pregnant woman herself. The most severe period of toxicosis can last no more than 2 weeks.

The described phenomena do not accompany every pregnancy, and many women are practically unfamiliar with toxicosis.

When toxicosis goes away

The question of how long toxicosis lasts during pregnancy and what its severity depends on is very individual. By week 16, as a rule, early toxicosis stops and a noticeable improvement occurs.

At this time, the formation of the placenta ends. It softens the “hormonal attack” and the most unpleasant symptoms toxicosis, since it is a kind of blood filter.

The duration and manifestations of toxicosis depend on:

  • the woman's health status before pregnancy;
  • her lifestyle, diet, bad habits;
  • environmental situation in the area of ​​residence;
  • heredity.

Confident, balanced women who have the opportunity not to go to work suffer less from toxicosis.

Women forced to work, especially those in leadership positions, suffer from toxicosis longer and it is more pronounced in them. It is also believed that women with an asthenic build are more susceptible to toxicosis: tall, thin, with long fingers, arms and legs.

What complicates toxicosis

It is ideal if you were preparing for pregnancy and know in advance about existing chronic diseases. In every tenth woman, symptoms of nausea are associated with diseases of the digestive tract.

Know! If you have had problems with your stomach, liver or pancreas, the situation with toxicosis may worsen.

  1. The uterus begins to grow and the organs in the abdominal cavity are forced to adapt to the new position;
  2. The growth of the uterus can cause changes in the position and shape of the stomach, which, in turn, can lead to fluctuations in the acidity of gastric juice. They are the ones that often cause a metallic taste in the mouth and attacks of lightheadedness in the morning;
  3. Compression of the gallbladder and ducts can impede the flow of bile into the digestive tract, causing a bitter taste in the mouth and the urge to vomit (read the article on the topic: Bitterness in the mouth during pregnancy >>>);
  4. Hormonal changes can provoke a lack of a special pancreatic enzyme that breaks down fats. As a result, fatty foods will be less digestible and cause poor health;
  5. The most dangerous cause of lightheadedness and sudden frightening dizziness for a pregnant woman can be vascular spasms and fluctuations in blood pressure, which she may mistakenly take for manifestations of toxicosis.

Therefore, the doctor monitors blood pressure at every visit to him (read on the topic: What tests are taken during pregnancy?>>>).

When to worry

Toxicosis, which gives doctors real concern, can occur from the 18th week of pregnancy. Its signs are:

  • continuous lightheadedness and painful vomiting up to 5-6 times a day;
  • proteinuria - the presence of protein in the urine;
  • complete inability to eat;
  • lack of required weight gain;
  • a sharp deterioration in health;
  • swelling spreading from the feet (more about swelling of the feet during pregnancy >>>);
  • increased blood pressure.

Attention! Cases of severe uncontrollable vomiting require medical supervision in a hospital and individually selected treatment.

How to treat toxicosis

How to deal with toxicosis during pregnancy? There is no special treatment for toxicosis in pregnant women, but under no circumstances should you endure its debilitating symptoms. Help for toxicosis depends on specific symptoms, health status and is always individual.

The doctor’s efforts in severe cases of toxicosis are aimed at:

  1. blocking brain centers that are responsible for nausea;
  2. maintaining the body's water metabolism;
  3. maintaining organs of concern: most often the stomach, liver and kidneys.

When dealing with an expectant mother, the doctor cannot use the full arsenal of medications, so in general, they make do with prescribing herbal-based sedatives and a number of physiotherapy and acupuncture procedures.

What will help with toxicosis?

A universal remedy for toxicosis during pregnancy has not yet been found. Helps overcome painful attacks of lightheadedness A complex approach to the problem: physical activity, fresh air and enjoyable food.

Important! Any product that does not cause rejection and nausea, that affects special sensitive points of the tongue - sour, tart, astringent, intense breathing through the mouth, and switching attention help reduce the severity of the attack.

IN Hard time, the way out may be:

  • sour candy;
  • a handful of dried fruits;
  • a slice of aromatic orange, ginger, a slice of persimmon;
  • a glass of weak tea, preferably green, and it should be drunk in several doses, in small sips;
  • Freshly squeezed juices of fruits and berries, which help relieve nausea associated with toxicosis during pregnancy, are also loaded with vitamins.

The only thing you don’t need to do if you have toxicosis during pregnancy is fast. Eating small portions helps with toxicosis. You shouldn't feel hungry. Let there always be a muesli bar, dry food or apple in your purse.

Honey is a real natural medicine that contains many microelements that are vital for the expectant mother. A spoonful taken on an empty stomach natural honey will be perfectly absorbed and will calm the stomach (read the article

Early toxicosis overtakes most women almost simultaneously with the news of pregnancy. Sometimes symptoms of toxicosis even serve as the first signals that a woman is pregnant. More than a half modern women, especially those who live in cities, fully feel all its unpleasant manifestations. In fact, toxicosis is not a sign of pregnancy, but a manifestation, albeit a very frequent one, of some kind of disorder normal course pregnancy.

Signs of toxicosis

Toxicosis is a whole complex of pathological, essentially abnormal reactions of a woman’s body to the development of pregnancy. Toxicoses are distinguished by severity and time of development. At the beginning of pregnancy, the so-called early toxicosis of pregnancy may develop, the most common manifestations of which are nausea and vomiting. This is very common occurrence, and in most cases goes away without medical intervention and does not cause significant harm to either the woman’s health or the development of the child. And in the third trimester of pregnancy, such a formidable complication as late toxicosis or gestosis may occur. It is characterized by disturbances in the functioning of internal organs, mainly the kidneys, and is manifested by edema, increased blood pressure and protein in the urine. Preeclampsia, unlike early toxicosis, requires mandatory medical supervision and, often, the pregnant woman’s stay in hospital. And the consequences from them can be much more severe, and sometimes even fatal, if medical assistance is not provided in time.

Toxicosis in early pregnancy has several common forms. A pregnant woman may experience nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and increased salivation. Nausea can only occur in the morning on an empty stomach and disappear after eating. In other cases, nausea persists even after eating, leading to loss of appetite. Both one-time and regular, daily vomiting can also be observed.

How much to suffer

Usually, the delay of menstruation and the establishment of the fact of pregnancy coincide in time with the moment when the pregnancy begins. early toxicosis from the expectant mother. This happens around 5-6 weeks of pregnancy. At this point, hormonal changes in the body are in full swing. And power over all processes passes to progesterone. It is this hormone that is responsible for maintaining pregnancy. During the entire first trimester, a woman’s body is reconstructed. During the same period, the formation of all the main organs and systems of the unborn baby occurs. That's why the first trimester is considered the most important. After all, the baby will only grow further.

All women who are bothered by nausea and vomiting during short periods of pregnancy are concerned about the question of when early toxicosis ends. Normally, all unpleasant manifestations should subside by the 14th week of pregnancy. But it is not uncommon for nausea to persist until the 20th week. In any case, persistence of toxicosis after the 15th week of pregnancy requires mandatory consultation with a doctor, especially if the general condition of the pregnant woman is impaired, there is a loss of strength and weight loss, and there are signs of dehydration.

Causes of toxicosis

Doctors still have not agreed on the nature of toxicosis and what is its main cause.

The development of toxicosis is, of course, influenced by many factors. This includes the woman’s health status before pregnancy, her lifestyle, the presence or absence of physical and emotional stress, chronic diseases digestive organs, as well as emotional perception of the state of pregnancy.

Since the body undergoes a complete restructuring at the beginning of pregnancy, brain signals stimulate the digestive system in a specific way. In addition, the hormone progesterone, which is responsible for normal course pregnancy, has a relaxing effect on the uterus to avoid the threat of miscarriage. Its effect also extends to the stomach and intestines. Thus, the digestive system slows down, which causes unpleasant symptoms.

The “hormonal” theory of the development of this pathology also speaks of the impact on digestive system human chorionic gonadotropin - yes, yes, the same one by the presence of which they determine interesting situation in a woman. True, it is not entirely clear what exactly this adverse effect is. But the timing of the maximum increase in this hormone and the obvious manifestations of malaise in women coincide.

Toxicosis during pregnancy is significantly aggravated if there is a history of disturbances in the functioning of the stomach, intestines, as well as problems with gallbladder. Besides, poor nutrition and lack of normal motor activity outdoor exposure contributes to the development of the disease.

There is a version of the occurrence of toxicosis due to the very strong immune system of the mother, which reacts to her own child as to a “foreign object.” In fact, this is true... But only half... Half of the child’s genetic code is the inheritance of his father.

Well, okay, with these reasons and versions, this is not the main thing for expectant mothers. For most pregnant women, the more pressing question is how to deal with early toxicosis using non-drug means.

In most cases, the answer is simple: listen to your own body's signals. After all, nature itself tells you which foods are harmful and which are necessary for the expectant mother and baby. It is very good to eat as many fiber-containing foods as possible. Fresh vegetables and fruits will stimulate the stomach and enhance intestinal motility, this will gradually smooth out unpleasant symptoms. In addition, it is important to establish a comfortable diet. In most cases it helps fractional meals in small portions so as not to experience nausea from overeating or hunger.

When to sound the alarm

But sometimes without taking medications and in general medical care not enough. Early toxicosis requires treatment when nausea and vomiting affect the general condition of the pregnant woman. If there is a complete loss of appetite, weight loss of more than 3 kg and heart rhythm disturbances, urination becomes rare, and acetone is detected in a urine test, urgent consultation with a doctor is necessary. Vomiting more than 3 times a day combined with loss of appetite can lead to dehydration and imbalance of salt balance in the body. This is especially dangerous, since at this moment the formation of the child’s basic life functions occurs. Urinary retention and its total volume of less than half a liter per day is a serious signal of dehydration and an urgent reason for hospitalization.

In some cases, antiemetic drugs such as Cerucal may be prescribed.

No matter how desired pregnancy may be, it can be overshadowed by toxicosis (preeclampsia). This condition is characterized by attacks of nausea and vomiting, weakness, darkening of the eyes and sometimes loss of consciousness. It may go away in a couple of weeks, or it may last for months.

Sometimes nausea can be so frequent and severe that it becomes problematic for the expectant mother to even take pills, for example, Duphaston or Magne B6, which are prescribed to many pregnant women.

In Soviet times, there was a practice of terminating a pregnancy if a woman vomited continuously during long period time. Nowadays, such methods of getting rid of toxicosis, fortunately, are no longer used, and studying the issue of the origin of gestosis and inventing new methods of combating it helps many expectant mothers survive this period more easily.

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Causes of toxicosis during pregnancy

The question of the reasons for the development of toxicosis has not yet been fully studied. But doctors have every reason to believe that its manifestation and intensity directly depend on the amount of toxins in a woman’s body.

However, there are other versions of the appearance of nausea and vomiting in the first weeks of pregnancy, so it makes sense to list them as possible culprits of preeclampsia:

  • The mother's body's reaction to hormonal disbalance. However, this theory cannot answer two questions: 1) why does the reaction occur only in the first weeks, if hormonal changes occur in female body throughout pregnancy? 2) Why don’t all women undergo such a reaction, because everyone experiences hormonal disruption to the same extent?
  • Psychological rejection of the new position, subconscious reluctance to become a mother. But this version also has contradictions, because then it is completely unclear why toxicosis severe degrees occurs in women who consciously planned a pregnancy and in whom conception occurred only after serious efforts.

There is a popular belief that by the presence and intensity of toxicosis during pregnancy, one can determine who will be: a boy or a girl. But doctors are skeptical about this theory of the occurrence of nausea in the early stages.

When does toxicosis begin?

There are women who say that nausea and vomiting began from the first days of conception. This is, of course, impossible. In the first week after fertilization hCG level It is still so small that it cannot cause such severe intoxication in the body.

Usually, expectant mothers begin to feel the first signs of gestosis at 3–4 weeks from conception. It starts differently for everyone. Some people experience a feeling of nausea, which after a few days develops into vomiting.

For some, intoxication of the body is immediately expressed in the appearance of vomiting, which becomes more intense over time. No matter what week early toxicosis begins during pregnancy, should alert, if from the first day it manifested itself in the form of frequent uncontrollable vomiting.

When does it end?

The end of gestosis even in the same woman with different pregnancies may happen in different time. The most common pattern observed is: the more intense the manifestations of vomiting, the longer the toxicosis lasts.

So, in women who only experienced a feeling of nausea and could eat more or less normally, gestosis lasts about 3 to 4 weeks and disappears without a trace. The situation is different for those expectant mothers who were forced to spend whole days in the toilet and did not have the opportunity to eat normally.

In such cases, toxicosis is prolonged and begins to gradually recede only by 12 weeks. In severe cases, toxicosis can completely end only at 15–16 weeks.

Signs of toxicosis:

  • Nausea, which is more intense in the morning and subsides in the evening.
  • Vomiting that begins immediately upon waking and disappears almost completely during sleep.
  • Reaction to odors.
  • Dizziness and weakness. Often this condition occurs when a woman is in a stuffy room or for a long time remains in a motionless position.
  • Disgust for certain types food.

Severity of toxicosis

Each body can react differently to pregnancy. Some people experience only mild nausea in the morning, while others are admitted to the hospital due to incessant vomiting. Gynecologists distinguish three degrees of severity of toxicosis:

I degree

Preeclampsia is mild, with nausea, a reaction to certain odors and vomiting, which occurs no more than 5 times a day. General state In this case, the pregnant woman can be assessed as satisfactory. The woman can eat food and drink water.

II degree

The woman has an aversion to many types of food, a large number of smells invariably make her feel nauseous. Traveling in transport is complicated by vomiting, but vomiting itself, on average, occurs no more than 10 times per day. A pregnant woman can consume food and water with some difficulty.

III degree

The woman's condition begins to cause concern among doctors. The patient experiences attacks of nausea even at the mere sight of any food. Vomiting occurs up to 25 times a day. A pregnant woman cannot eat; breaks in food can last up to two days.

It becomes impossible to even drink water, which can lead to a life-threatening condition - dehydration. The patient experiences relief only when she lies down.

If toxicosis becomes protracted, then after 4–5 weeks it becomes difficult for a woman to move long distances on her own.

Why is severe gestosis dangerous?

If toxicosis in the first trimester becomes painful and deprives the expectant mother of the opportunity to eat and drink enough water, then doctors must take emergency measures to stabilize her condition. Severe gestosis leads to the following negative consequences:

  1. Loss of body weight. With grade III toxicosis, a woman can lose up to 10 kg of weight in 3 months.
  2. Decreased hemoglobin levels in the blood.
  3. Increased uterine tone. Frequent gagging causes excessive tension in the abdominal muscles. The result is an effect similar to an abdominal pump. This tones the uterus and creates a threat of miscarriage.
  4. Danger of dehydration. The water is odorless and its appearance does not disgust a pregnant woman. However, liquid entering the stomach still provokes vomiting.
  5. The appearance of vitamin deficiency. Due to the impossibility of normal food consumption, the body cannot replenish its reserves of vitamins and minerals.

How to deal with toxicosis in the early stages, what to do?

When signs of toxicosis appear during early pregnancy, the question invariably arises: how to deal with it? The gynecologist can give recommendations to consume certain foods, prescribe treatment, or place the woman in a hospital.

Changing your daily diet

If gestosis manifests itself only in attacks of nausea and in rare cases vomiting, the doctor will recommend including daily diet foods that will be easily digested by the intestines: yoghurt, kefir, vegetables, fruits.

Sometimes the pregnant woman herself determines what type of food helps her cope with the feeling of nausea. So, many people save themselves with mints, lemons, oranges, apple juice, pickled cucumbers, and sauerkraut.

Taking medications

In this case, medications are designed to cleanse the woman’s body of waste and toxins, as well as replenish the water-salt balance, which undergoes significant changes with constant vomiting.

For this purpose, the gynecologist prescribes Enterosgel and Regidron (less commonly, Cerucal). Within a few days of taking these drugs, grade II toxicosis disappears.

  • True, the taste of both Enterosgel and Regidron is such that their use can provoke a gag reflex.

Hospital treatment

In case of severe toxicosis, when dehydration becomes life-threatening for a pregnant woman, it is important to be admitted to a hospital, where the patient will be prescribed intravenous drips with glucose and other drugs that replenish the lack of fluid and nutrients in organism.

Typically, such measures do not help stop vomiting. A woman can still not leave the toilet for hours, it’s just that now her body is forced to feed and be saturated with enough fluid.

Prevention

Since the causes of toxicosis are not reliably known, it is difficult to judge measures to prevent it. It is also difficult to predict whether carrying a child will be accompanied by nausea and vomiting, or whether the expectant mother will be lucky enough to have a pregnancy without toxicosis.

Until now, scientists have not been able to prove that morning sickness is guaranteed to be cured by preliminary vitamin therapy or a visit to a psychologist, so today gestosis is treated symptomatically and is not prevented in any way.

You feel bad, you feel nauseous, and even the thought of food causes discomfort... Agree, if this happened to you in “normal” life, you would simply give up everything that is disgusting and wait for improvements. However, now being a mother-to-be has you worrying about the lack of... nutrients may affect the baby's well-being. Don’t worry: even if you can’t force yourself to eat at all, you don’t gain, and maybe even lose weight, in the first trimester of pregnancy this does not pose a danger to the baby. Why? At the very beginning of pregnancy, the unborn baby does not require any additional calories for growth and development. However, if the weight loss is too great, consult a doctor. In the meantime, try to keep the situation under control with our simple tips.

First breakfast

Eat something small immediately after waking up: empty stomach - true friend nausea. Without getting out of bed, nibble on a cracker or cookie, or better yet, ask your beloved husband to bring you breakfast in bed. Choose solids (bread, cheese, muesli) over liquids: excess liquid can cause vomiting, especially if you are prone to this. In addition, make it a rule to rest after eating: do not rush to leave the table, wait 15–20 minutes. By the way, after about the same period of time you will be able to afford to drink.

Why do doctors insist that expectant mothers register with antenatal clinic at 5-6 weeks? Including because toxicosis can cause changes in the liver and kidneys, even if you do not strongly feel its manifestations. Simple tests that you will be asked to do after your first visit to the doctor will help you detect problems. We are talking about routine examinations: clinical and biochemical research blood and urine analysis.

Divide and rule

Try to eat often, but little by little. Perfect option– eat five times a day (and more often if necessary). Your goal: not to be hungry and not to overeat. Divide the day into breakfast, lunch, lunch, afternoon snack and dinner. By the way, when portions become smaller, it will be easier for the body to digest food.

ATTENTION! Don't skip meals, try to eat at least four times a day.

I do not want and I will not

Avoid foods that you don't like the smell or look of. Better yet, eat what you want: if the food makes you hungry, you will enjoy the food. Under no circumstances force yourself to eat something you don’t like under the pretext that your child needs it. If in the first trimester your diet is not very balanced, there is nothing to worry about.

Pleasant lightness

Avoid eating heavy, fatty and spicy foods. For such treats, it is better to prefer light dishes or neutral foods with a mild taste: mashed potatoes, boiled meat, fish, vegetables and fruits. Eat slowly - you are in no hurry now.

Heightened senses

Remember that strong odors can cause nausea. If your sense of smell has always been heightened, stop using perfume, avoid smoky, cramped and stuffy rooms, try not to linger in the kitchen. Be sure to ventilate the rooms in your apartment so that odors do not stagnate.

I'm thirsty!

Do not drink while eating: a “cocktail” of solid and liquid foods increases the feeling of fullness in the stomach. To avoid discomfort and dehydration (especially if you vomit from time to time), try to drink little and often between meals. Which drink do you prefer? Expectant mothers are not recommended to drink sweet soda (if you want mineral water, shake it a little so that the gas comes out) and it is not recommended to get carried away with tea and coffee - they greatly tonic and create a feeling of heaviness in the stomach. The best option: still water and juices.

A storehouse of vitamins

Eat foods rich in zinc and vitamin B6: they help fight nausea. Zinc is found in beef, veal liver, wheat germ, and vitamin B6 is found in egg whites, ham, flounder, sole, broccoli, spinach, red cabbage, wheat germ, tomatoes, bananas.

Why does toxicosis go away by the beginning of the second trimester of pregnancy? It is at this moment that the placenta begins to work at full strength and becomes a kind of barrier between the woman and the child, due to which some problems from direct “communication” between the expectant mother and the baby are smoothed out.

Grandma's recipes

To get rid of nausea, grate the zest of a lemon and inhale its aroma. Or try sucking on a lemon wedge, drinking a cold one, or warm water With lemon juice(you can add a little sugar to the glass). Another recipe: a spoonful of honey will help get rid of nausea.

Get more rest

Nausea is known to worsen due to stress, fatigue and lack of sleep. Try to slow down the rhythm of your life for a while, go to bed earlier, rest during the day. And entrust household chores to your family and friends: after all, no one can demand that you be omnipotent when you are busy with such an important matter - expecting a baby!

Vertical world

Do not lie down immediately after eating: it is in your best interest to wait at least half an hour, or even better, an hour.

Be active

Continue to exercise, take walks, and generally try not to focus on toxicosis. This state is transitory, very soon you will remember with surprise what happened to you. Listen carefully to your body: it will tell you how best to cope with nausea. Don't quit your job - things will distract you from the changes taking place.

I'm coming to you, doctor

Try to get rid of nausea with alternative medicine. Contact a homeopath or find an acupuncturist. Both remedies are very effective.

A special case

Since toxicosis often occurs in women with chronic diseases of the liver, kidneys or heart, if you are preparing for pregnancy, be sure to consult a doctor, undergo a special examination, and do not refuse the medications that will be prescribed to you for prevention. They will improve the functioning of your organs and help them respond correctly to your changed position.

If nausea and vomiting recur in the second or third trimester of pregnancy, be sure to tell your doctor: this may be a sign of liver problems.