Taking smaller meals frequently rather than three heavy meals will reduce morning nausea in pregnant women, says a gynaecologist, Dr Peter Obane.
Nausea is an unpleasant, diffuse sensation of unease and discomfort, often perceived as an urge to vomit.
Mr Obane, who works at a private hospital in Benin, Edo, made this known in an interview with newsmen on Tuesday.
He said: “Nausea may also be caused by anxiety, disgust, and depression.
READ ALSO: Nigerian govt pledges to eliminate all discriminations against women
“Nausea during pregnancy is typically one of the most experienced and complained about symptoms that women report.
“Up to 70 per cent of expectant mothers experience nausea at some point during early pregnancy.
“Not only is it known to be one of the early signs of pregnancy, but it is a symptom that is common throughout the first trimester, and sometimes even longer.’’
According to the gynaecologist, while nausea is definitely an uncomfortable feeling, the good news is that it is not harmful to mother or child, as the situation is often perceived as an indication of healthy pregnancy.
Mr Obane said that eating toast, cereal, crackers, or other dry foods before getting out of bed, cheese, lean meat or other high-protein snacks before bedtime, as well as fluids, such as clear fruit juices, water, or ice chips, throughout the day, can reduce nausea.
According to him, the cause of nausea during pregnancy is not completely understood, as it appears to be linked to the production of the human chorionic gonadotropin, HCG, hormone.
READ ALSO: 25% of pregnant women with more than 4 children risk premature death – Ladipo
Morning sickness, nausea, and vomiting can be one of the first signs of pregnancy and usually begins around the sixth week of pregnancy.
Morning sickness is not harmful to the expectant mother or baby.
However, if the woman experiences excessive vomiting and cannot manage to keep her food down, she might have hyperemesis gravidarum, a pregnancy complication that is characterized by severe nausea, vomiting, weight loss, and possibly dehydration.
Faintness, an abrupt, usually brief loss of consciousness might also occur.
NAN
