Why is gag reflex increased during pregnancy

The guidelines recommend that any woman with a high risk of nausea and vomiting should consider starting Diclectin early in pregnancy before she starts feeling really sick in order to reduce the severity and the duration of symptoms. Less than two percent of women will be diagnosed with Hyperemesis Gravidarum HG , on the extreme end of the pregnancy symptom spectrum.

HG the same condition Kate Middleton suffered from during both her pregnancies is defined as persistent and excessive vomiting and can lead to dehydration and weight loss, among other serious complications. It is the leading cause of hospitalization in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy. In her experience as a midwife, Campbell has seen at least one client whose nausea continued through labour right up until she delivered her baby! Know that most women start feeling better, and regain their appetite, around 12 to 14 weeks.

Being pregnant 5 ways to cope with morning sickness The latest guidelines, released last week, have pregnant women and doctors alike rethinking how to treat morning sickness. Photo: iStockphoto. Joseph Communications uses cookies for personalization, to customize its online advertisements, and for other purposes.

Learn more or change your cookie preferences. By continuing to use our service, you agree to our use of cookies. More often than not, when working or even non-working women begin breathing uneasily, they associate this with dehydration or probably even just a lack of good old rest and relaxation. After all, getting breathless does not seem like a very unusual event, does it?

In fact, shortness of breath is one of the most common pregnancy symptoms. Fortunately, if it comes in gradually, even as it worsens, shortness of breath is something that one should not be worried about. On the other hand, if it happens so suddenly and too often, then this is something that may warrant medical attention.

Food is good, and it gets even better with an increase in appetite. When this happens, most people would think nothing of it because, well, food can really be irresistible. But who could have known that this could also be a sign that a woman is pregnant? It is not uncommon for pregnant women to feel hungry all the time during her first trimester. In fact, most forums will reveal how many of these women feel the insatiable desire to keep munching on something every few hours, even after having a hearty meal or two.

On the other hand, the 40 percent increase in blood volume could also mean having unquenchable thirst as more water is needed for the additional blood. Aside from feeling the need to keep on chewing, women in their first trimester would almost always feel the need to hydrate as well. This thirst may not be completely satisfied, but quenching it temporarily may be done by drinking plenty of water and fruit juices, and eating more fresh fruits and vegetables. Of the many ironies that pregnancy brings, food aversion probably tops the list.

Though pangs of hunger come up every few hours, what makes things more difficult for mom-to-be is the aversions to certain foods that used to be eaten on a regular basis. This may not seem out of the ordinary even for regular folks who do not carry a life inside of them, but may also be a symptom that can barely be noticed. There has not been proof of where these aversions come from, but there have been many theories circulating this topic. One is the change in hormonal levels, as where many other pregnancy symptoms stem from.

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin or HCG levels are at their highest during the first trimester, which causes nausea, vomiting, and most probably, food aversion as well.

To support this theory, it has been reported that women who have experienced morning sickness and food aversions during their pregnancy have been less prone to premature babies, stillbirths, and miscarriages. Some women may have gone through that horrible experience of conversing with people and suddenly having to stop short in the middle of her sentence as she feels something wet about to drip from her nose.

While some may think that this could be associated with their high blood pressure, medications, or excessive alcohol intake, this could also mean that one should expect exciting times ahead because of an addition to the family.

As blood levels increase to accommodate the nutrients needed for the baby, pregnancy may also be responsible for blood vessels in the nose to expand. The increased blood flow may at times put too much pressure on these vessels, causing them to rupture, hence resulting in a nosebleed.

There may be a time when a woman suddenly realizes that her sense of smell is actually pretty impressive. Who else could have smelled that bucket of chicken inside the house from the sidewalk?

Most women experience this heightened sense of smell during their first trimester, which may be associated with morning sickness and food aversions. Pregnancy hormones soften the ring of muscle that keeps food inside the stomach. Gastric reflux regurgitating food or drink or the vomiting associated with morning sickness can coat your teeth with strong stomach acids. Repeated reflux and vomiting can damage tooth enamel and increase the risk of decay. Some pregnant women find that brushing their teeth, particularly the molars, provokes the gag reflex.

You might have food cravings while pregnant. Some women experience unusual food cravings and food avoidance while they are pregnant.

A regular desire for sugary snacks may increase your risk of tooth decay. Try to snack on low-sugar foods instead. If nothing but sweetness will satisfy your craving, try to sometimes choose healthier options such as fresh fruits. Rinse your mouth with water or an alcohol-free mouth rinse, or brush your teeth after having sugary snacks. Increase your calcium during pregnancy. You need to increase your daily amount of calcium during pregnancy.

Sufficient calcium will protect your bone mass and meet the nutritional needs of your developing baby.