Pregnancy is an exciting phase in a woman’s life. As the mother to be carries her child for 9 months she will undergo a series of changes in her body both physical and emotional. The changes that will take place can be thrilling for some but can also be scary especially for first time mothers who are not fully prepared. Along with the anticipation comes the nervousness and anxiety for the health of the baby during pregnancy and in childbirth.

The 9 months wait is divided in trimesters and with each trimester the mother will go through some pain and discomfort which is all normal to every pregnant women. The most common discomfort felt by pregnant mothers is nausea and vomiting. It commonly arises in the first trimester wherein the body adjusts to the influx of hormones induced by pregnancy. In most cases, women gain knowledge of their pregnancy through this symptom of feeling nauseous early in the morning and throwing up soon after. Although nausea is commonly felt in the first trimester of pregnancy some pregnant women may experience this throughout her pregnancy. This is not alarming because this is brought by the fluctuation of the hormones in the body as the fetus continues to grow and develop. It becomes a concern if nausea and vomiting progresses into a condition called hyperemesis gravidarum which is characterized as persistent vomiting and nausea that can lead to dehydration. Dehydration can cause nutritional deficits and weight loss that can potentially endanger the fetus and mother as well.

Some of the common causes of nausea in the third trimester vary among pregnant women. The mother may experience nausea because of heartburn, a condition where food is pushed back through the esophagus after eating. A feeling of nausea at first may be experienced then pain in the chest as food reflux back and induces vomiting. As the fetus grows in the third trimester it pushes back the stomach which can cause heartburn. Hormonal changes can also bring muscles in the digestive tract to relax leading to poor sphincters that hold food from coming back up.

Another cause of nausea in the third trimester is a pregnancy complication called preeclampsia. Preeclampsia develops after the 20^th week of pregnancy and is usually diagnosed along with other symptoms such as high blood pressure, abdominal pain, facial edema (swelling), dull or throbbing headaches, vision changes (blurry vision or flashing lights). Preeclampsia may later on develop into Eclampsia, a serious condition that can be fatal. Cerebral hemorrhage may occur and can lead to mortality. If aforementioned symptoms are experienced the pregnant mother should contact her physician immediately.

For other pregnant mothers, nausea is an early indication of labor along with other symptoms such as severe back pain, increase in vaginal discharge, pressure in the pelvic area and contractions that are 10 minutes apart.

Discomforts in pregnancy differ for every pregnant woman. Some may experience nausea in their first trimester only while others may not be so lucky. Eating nutritious foods in small frequent quantities help in alleviating nausea and vomiting in any stage of pregnancy. The important thing to remember is to maintain a well hydrated and nourished body for fetus growth and development.

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2. Your Three Trimesters of Pregnancy
3. Coping with Nutrition- Related Discomforts of Pregnancy
4. Early Signs and Symptoms of Ectopic Pregnancy?
5. Preventing Urinary Tract Infection During Pregnancy