Nausea & Digestive Changes

Constipation and digestive slowing in pregnancy

Constipation and digestive slowing in pregnancy

Why constipation is so common in pregnancy Constipation is typically defined as infrequent bowel movements, hard or lumpy stools, difficulty passing stool, straining, or a sense of incomplete evacuation. In pregnancy, it may appear early in the first trimester or become more noticeable later as the uterus enlarges. For some, it is an occasional inconvenience; […]

Heartburn and acid reflux in pregnancy

Heartburn and acid reflux in pregnancy

What heartburn and acid reflux mean Heartburn is a symptom: a burning, hot, or painful sensation usually felt behind the sternum and sometimes rising toward the throat. Acid reflux refers to the movement of gastric contents from the stomach back into the esophagus. The esophageal lining is not designed to tolerate repeated exposure to acidic […]

Food cravings and food aversions in pregnancy

Food cravings and food aversions in pregnancy

What are pregnancy cravings and aversions? A food craving is a strong desire for a specific food, flavor, texture, or sensory experience. It may be for sweet foods, salty foods, sour flavors, dairy, fruit, spicy meals, starches, ice, or highly specific combinations. A food aversion is the opposite: a strong dislike, disgust, nausea, or avoidance […]

Bloating gas and digestive changes in pregnancy

Bloating gas and digestive changes in pregnancy

Why digestion changes so early in pregnancy Digestive symptoms can begin in the first trimester, sometimes before the pregnancy is visibly noticeable. One of the central mechanisms is the rise in progesterone, a hormone essential for maintaining pregnancy. Progesterone relaxes smooth muscle throughout the body, including the muscular wall of the gastrointestinal tract. This relaxation […]

Severe nausea and vomiting in pregnancy (hyperemesis)

Severe nausea and vomiting in pregnancy (hyperemesis)

What is hyperemesis gravidarum? Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy affects many pregnant people, often starting around 4 to 7 weeks and improving for many by the second trimester. Hyperemesis gravidarum describes a more severe pattern. Definitions vary, but clinicians commonly consider features such as persistent vomiting, dehydration, electrolyte disturbance, ketonuria, and weight loss, often more […]

Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy and why they happen

Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy and why they happen

What nausea and vomiting of pregnancy mean Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy, often abbreviated NVP, describe the spectrum of queasiness, retching, food aversion, and vomiting that can occur in early pregnancy. Despite the common phrase “morning sickness,” symptoms are not limited to the morning. Some people feel worst before eating, some feel worse in the […]