Nausea frequently strikes pregnant women after a meal. Although a bout of stomach queasiness can strike at any time, it's still called morning sickness. According to the March of Dimes, more than half of all moms-to-be experience some form of morning sickness during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.
Causes
The precise cause of nausea during pregnancy remains unknown, but it probably has to do with fluctuating hormone levels. Human chorionic gonadotropin, the hormone produced to help support your baby during the first trimester before the placenta has fully developed, can trigger queasiness. During the first trimester, estrogen and progesterone also rise rapidly, which can be another potential contributor to post-meal nausea.
Prevention
Eat five or six smaller meals instead of two or three large ones to help prevent nausea during pregnancy. Don't stuff yourself when you eat; an overly full stomach can lead to a queasy tummy. Avoid heavy fats, especially saturated fats that are hard for the body to process quickly. Keep well hydrated and choose water, ginger ale or clear fruit juices to fulfill your fluid needs instead of sugary sodas. A small snack just before bedtime and right after waking up can help keep blood sugar levels in check and reduce the likelihood of a bout of morning misery.
Remedies
Ginger -- in the form of a ginger cookie, ginger tea or a dash of ground ginger in a soup or stir-fry -- can ease nausea safely, according to What to Expect. Other food remedies that some women find helpful include sucking on a lemon or lemon drops, sniffing or consuming mint and drinking raspberry leaf tea. Vitamin B6 may also help quell nausea, so if your morning sickness is severe ask a doctor about a separate supplement in addition to your normal prenatal vitamin.
Concerns
Although occasional feelings of nausea and even a few episodes of vomiting are normal during pregnancy, severe gastrointestinal distress is not. If you go 24 hours without being able to keep down any food or liquids or you notice blood in your vomit, go to a doctor or hospital. Other potential signs of a problem include an inability to eat anything without throwing up some of it, weight loss, a racing heartbeat or a significant reduction in the frequency or amount of urination. You might have a condition called hyperemesis gravidarum, which might require hospitalization, intravenous fluids and medication.
Considerations
Most women notice their bouts of nausea decrease, or even disappear completely, after the first trimester ends and hormone levels stabilize. If you are carrying twins, you may be in for even more nausea because the hormones running through your system are also doubled.
