Third-trimester nausea and vomiting are less common. Usually, nausea and vomiting subside by the 16th week of pregnancy in most women. Overall, only 20% of pregnant women experience nausea and vomiting throughout pregnancy (1). The exact causes of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy are unknown, but knowing and avoiding triggers can help you manage the condition. Occasional incidence of nausea and vomiting in the third trimester may not be a cause for concern. However, seek medical care if you have persistent nausea or vomiting in the third trimester. Read on to know about the common causes and preventive measures for third-trimester nausea and vomiting.
Causes Of Third Trimester Nausea
According to Greg J. Marchand, MD, FACS, FACOG, program director at Steward Health, Providence, Rhode Island, “Acid reflux and stomach bugs (stomach viruses and stomach flu) are common in pregnant women in the third trimester. However, nausea that lasts the whole pregnancy is rare.” While increasing HCG levels are one of the reasons for the first trimester morning sickness, it can be difficult to understand the cause of nausea in the third trimester (2). The following could be the possible causes of nausea in the third trimester.
H – Hemolysis (It is the breakdown of the red blood cells) EL – Elevated liver enzymes (It can be a sign of liver problems) LP – Low platelet count (It can lead to serious bleeding)
Nausea and throwing up (that gets worse) are the common symptoms of HELLP syndrome. Dr. Marchand adds, “Apart from stomach illnesses, worsening acid reflux, or nausea that has never subsided, you should not have a new onset of nausea in the third trimester. If you have a new onset of nausea that is not explained by one of the previously listed conditions, it could be a sign of pregnancy complications, such as HELLP syndrome.”
Ways To Prevent Nausea In The Third Trimester
The following measures can help in preventing nausea (6).
Try to get enough sleep and rest. Avoid caffeinated beverages, including tea, and coffee as they aggravate your symptoms. Eat small, frequent meals throughout the day. Consume a lot of fluids to avoid dehydration and associated nausea. Practice gentle exercises after consulting your healthcare provider. Image: Shutterstock Avoid lying down immediately after meals and have your dinner two to three hours before bedtime. Sugary, spicy, and greasy foods can worsen the nausea symptoms. Identify which food triggers your symptoms to avoid them. Some fragrances or smells can trigger your nausea, so avoid them. Eating bland food when you are nauseated might help. You can include rusk, Jell-O, popsicles, chicken broth, saltine crackers, gelatin desserts, pretzels, etc. Ginger shows varying effectiveness in different women with nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (1). Image: Shutterstock Stay in well-ventilated and lighted places as closed spaces may also aggravate nausea and vomiting in pregnancy.
If nausea and vomiting are too severe, contact your healthcare provider. They might prescribe the necessary medications to help you feel better.
Signs You Need To See A Doctor
While nausea and vomiting of pregnancy are not always a sign of a problem, you should see your doctor in the following scenarios.
Inability to keep any food or fluids down Loss of appetite Sudden weight loss Reduction in the fetal movement Severe weakness Dizziness Several episodes of vomiting throughout the day
Some antihistamines, ondansetron, phenothiazines, metoclopramide, and corticosteroids can also treat nausea and vomiting in pregnancy (1). However, do not use any medicine without your doctor’s consent.
