According to Pregnancy Sickness Support (2024), up to 90% of pregnancies are affected by some sort of pregnancy sickness. Sickness typically starts around the fourth week of pregnancy and ends by week fourteen, but 20% will suffer throughout their whole pregnancy.
Some suffer more than others, 1-3% suffer from extremely debilitating symptoms. Hyperemesis Gravidarum is defined as a condition that starts in early pregnancy, limits the ability to eat or drink normally and impacts daily life.
Causes:
The exact cause is unknown but may include the effects of hormonal changes, blood pressure fluctuations, fatigue, stress and altered metabolism of carbohydrates.
Symptoms:
Symptoms typically consist of nausea, vomitting, tiredness, excess saliva, indigestion and acid reflux. Some feel unable to eat or drink, and can lose weight or become dehydrated as a result. In some cases, mothers-to-be have to take time off work as they are unable to continue doing their normal daily activities.
Natural treatment for pregnancy sickness:
Homeopathic remedies, relaxation techniques, cold water swimming, ginger, peppermint, ice cubes, and cold fizzy drinks can help to reduce the symptoms of morning sickness and pregnancy sickness.
Homeopathic remedies:
Some of the most commonly used homeopathic remedies include:
1. Arsenicum: an indication for this remedy would be exhaustion from eating. The mother-to-be is typically anxious and restless, maybe furiously cleaning and tidying the house. They lose their appetite and worry that not eating will harm the baby. The thought or smell of food makes them nauseous, well into their pregnancy. They are typically cold, crave warm drinks and have a dry mouth.
2. Cocculus: This pregnant mother struggles to swallow, feels overwhelmed and tearful. Movement aggravates the symptoms.
3. Ipecac: Vomitting doesn’t make this nausea go away. Warm, damp weather makes this person feel worse. They look pale and aren’t thirsty. May suffer from hiccups.
4. Nux Vomica: This sickness is accompanied by feeling hungover and light-headed. This person feels very irritable. Light, noise and wind all make them feel worse. They may also suffer from constipation.
5. Pulsatilla: This would help when feeling tearful and in need of sympathy and attention. Fresh air helps. They may crave fatty food or pastries, even though these make them feel worse and they may vomit undigested foods.
6. Sepia: This mother-to-be feels miserable, she feels indifferent to her children and partner. She desires solitude, though it makes her sad to be alone. She doesn’t want to exercise, but when she does it makes her feel better.
7. Sulphur: Faint, weak feeling at 11am, with nausea. She feels warm, and may kick the sheets off the bed during the night. Doesn’t tend to vomit. May crave beer.
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