loss of appetite during pregnancy

Loss of Appetite During Pregnancy

Loss of appetite during pregnancy is a common condition experienced by many pregnant women. This temporary phase has no adverse effects on the child and mother.

Most pregnant women suffer from the typical pregnancy symptoms of nausea and vomiting during their first trimester. The second trimester is very important during the phase of pregnancy because the woman's body starts adjusting to accommodate the growing fetus. Along with morning sickness and vomiting, some pregnant women may lose their appetite. This is very normal and causes no reasons to panic. If the nutrition factor of the body is affected by the body, it should be treated immediately. Causes It is mainly due to nausea. The feeling of nausea reduces the desire to eat. Besides, vomiting can really make it difficult to gain weight or maintain a healthy weight. There is a general slowdown of the digestive system during the second trimester. This slowdown is due to the pressure exerted by the uterus on the lower bowel. This leads to decrease in appetite and constipation during early pregnancy. Pregnancy brings a lot of stress physically, mentally, emotionally and hormonally. This may be one of the reasons, why a pregnant lady may not feel like eating food. The other factors that affect loss of appetite during early trimester include the increase in levels of progesterone. This hormone slows down the entire digestion process. The increased water absorption by the colon also slows down the digestion process. The iron intake during pregnancy also increases, which leads to constipation in would-be mother. Loss of appetite during late pregnancy or third trimester, is also common in some women. The growing baby presses the stomach which may lead to lesser hunger pangs. You may feel full faster as the baby presses the stomach, making it difficult to eat more. Overcoming Appetite Loss Certain simple measures can help you overcome appetite loss during pregnancy. Besides, they may actually increase your desire to eat, which can benefit both you and your baby.
  • When you experience loss of appetite during early pregnancy, eat smaller meals. When you keep eating smaller meals during the day, it keeps the stomach full and helps in reducing nausea.
  • Do not force yourself to eat in the morning. You can eat a little later during the day and include healthy food and healthy drinks in your diet to make up for the loss of nutrients in the morning.
  • Pregnant women in their second trimester facing loss of appetite should drink 8-10 glasses of water every day.
  • Include leafy green vegetables and fiber-rich foods in your diet.
  • Pregnant women should avoid fatty meals or foods that are hard to digest and act as appetite suppressants. Continue eating 5-7 smaller meals throughout the day instead of 2 main meals. The same regime should continue, if you face loss of appetite during late pregnancy.
When you continue to experience it and are not able to get the required nutrients, speak to your doctor immediately. Weight loss and dehydration due to loss of appetite is very dangerous to the mother and the fetus. Pregnant women should follow BRAT diet. BRAT diet includes Bananas, Rice, Applesauce and Toast. These foods provide adequate nutrition and do not irritate the stomach. Their odor rarely causes nausea. Pregnant women should avoid spicy foods, eggs and fish, as these foods trigger loss of appetite and nausea during pregnancy. In some cases, stress also leads to lack of appetite or loss of feeling to eat something. Ask your doctor to recommend a diet for healthy pregnancy. The sooner you overcome this problem, the better for the health of your baby and yourself. Disclaimer: This article is intended for information purpose only. Do not use the information presented herein as a substitute for medical practitioner's advice.

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