Not being able to eat during pregnancy

Pregnancy is a very special period for expectant mothers, with every moment from the moment they first find out they are pregnant until they hold their baby in their arms. It covers many good feelings, weight gained, physical changes due to hormone changes and many other situations. A tiny living creature grows inside the mother day by day. In this case, mothers may worry about whether their baby is getting enough nutrition. Loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, disgust, etc. seen in the expectant mother during pregnancy. The inability to eat due to various reasons increases this concern.

Reasons for not being able to eat during pregnancy:

• Nausea and vomiting: The cause of nausea, which is common during pregnancy, is hormonal changes. The increase in the HCG hormone, also known as the pregnancy hormone, is the cause of nausea during pregnancy. Here, nausea during pregnancy may cause the expectant mother to not be able to eat.

• Odor sensitivity: Odor sensitivity during pregnancy also causes nausea during pregnancy. Even the smell of normally loved foods may seem disturbing during this period. Such disgusting smells may cause or increase nausea during pregnancy. In this case, the inability to eat may occur again.

• Stress: Pregnancy is a stressful process as well as a beautiful one. Stress can also cause loss of appetite and inability to eat in the expectant mother.

• Anemia: The need for iron minerals increases during pregnancy. If this increased need is not met, a condition called anemia occurs. As a result, loss of appetite may occur.

• Constipation: Constipation, which is one of the most common problems faced by pregnant women during pregnancy, can cause discomfort to expectant mothers and cause loss of appetite.

• Heartburn/burn: Heartburn/burn, which is one of the common problems during pregnancy, occurs as a result of the pressure on the stomach as the baby grows. . These pressure and burning complaints may negatively affect the mother's food consumption.

• Growth of the uterus and the baby: Especially in the raw In the last stages of pregnancy, as the baby grows, the pressure on the intestines can also suppress the expectant mother's desire to eat.

 

Does loss of appetite/inability to eat during pregnancy affect the mother or the baby?

Nutrition during pregnancy Nausea, which prevents consumption, is caused by hormonal changes and odor sensitivity, and this nausea is normal. Nausea complaints, which many expectant mothers encounter during pregnancy, usually occur in the first 3 months of pregnancy. It is seen most frequently and severely in days 8-10. At the end of the weeks, as the body begins to adapt to this hormonal change, the nausea begins to ease, but it continues for a while. Under normal circumstances, this nausea decreases and resolves by the 16th week. However, unfortunately, this may not be valid for all expectant mothers. Some expectant mothers are in the 5-6th week of pregnancy. They may also experience this problem during the months. It can even last until the pregnancy is over.

Mothers who cannot eat due to nausea and loss of appetite during pregnancy worry that their baby will be affected by this situation.

In fact, this is not a situation to worry about, but an instinctive protection. During this period, excessively fatty and sugary foods and processed foods, which are particularly risky for health, increase nausea and cannot be preferred by expectant mothers. This actually prevents harmful substances from reaching the baby, which is in the process of organ development.

During pregnancy, the baby's needs increase as the baby gets its needs from the mother. However, during the first 3 months of pregnancy, which we call the 1st trimester, the baby's needs are minimal and there may be no need to supplement the daily diet during this period. Especially during this period, expectant mothers should not force themselves to eat too much. Since babies do not need it much, it is not negatively affected in this process. Expectant mothers can be comfortable about this.

As the baby's needs increase in the second and especially the third trimester, the mother needs to increase her food consumption. If expectant mothers cannot eat adequate amounts during these periods due to loss of appetite, both themselves and the baby will be negatively affected. In this case, a doctor should be consulted. The doctor may recommend medication for nausea or require serum therapy. can sow. If the hunger and thirst experienced due to the problem of not being able to eat has started to negatively affect the body and the expectant mother cannot eat after the 10th week, it is useful to consult a doctor.

Nausea during pregnancy may make it difficult to consume food. Fluid and electrolyte loss may also occur due to vomiting. In the expectant mother; Mild nausea that does not cause weight, fluid or electrolyte loss is normal and is not harmful to the mother and baby. However, if the fluid and electrolyte loss in the mother as a result of severe vomiting is not treated, it will harm the mother and the baby. This situation requires serious treatment and monitoring under the supervision of a physician.

If the expectant mother vomits a lot during the day, if she experiences abdominal pain and cramps, if nausea and vomiting are accompanied by fever or diarrhea, if she experiences weight loss, if signs of dehydration (decrease in the amount of urine, darkening of its color, etc.) begin to occur and due to nausea If one cannot consume food or drink, a doctor should be consulted.

Recommendations for Those Who Experience Loss of Appetite and Inability to Eat During Pregnancy

• Food should not be loaded all at once and the stomach should not be left empty. Take care to eat small and frequent meals.

• Consume meals slowly and by chewing them thoroughly.

• Overly fatty, spicy, Do not choose sugary foods.

• Stress and fatigue also negatively affect food consumption. Therefore, it is very important to get enough rest and stay away from stress.

• Consuming foods that reduce stomach acid, such as salty crackers, dry bread, and roasted chickpeas, can prevent nausea. It may be preferred to suppress the stomach when food cannot be consumed due to nausea. Additionally, various fruit juices (such as apple, lemonade), drinks such as lemon mint tea, ginger tea, linden, buttermilk, and foods such as boiled potatoes, meat, yoghurt and cheese can also reduce nausea.

• During pregnancy, a sensitivity to odors occurs and causes loss of appetite. During the nausea-related period, strong-smelling foods and perfumes that may cause nausea should be avoided.

• Do not consume liquid foods with main meals as they will fill the stomach too much. You can shift liquid foods to snacks. get out

• Liquids should be consumed sip by sip, not all at once.

• Tea, coffee, etc. Caffeinated drinks cause loss of appetite by increasing heartburn and sourness.

• Do light exercises that suit you.

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