3 Reasons Women Lose Appetite While Pregnant
1. Morning Sickness
The number one reason women will stop eating is the morning sickness they have. Bear in mind that morning sickness isn’t just in the morning – it can also take place in the afternoon or overnight hours. The feeling of nausea and vomiting is quite normal to experience, usually in the first trimester but sometimes in the second trimester and third trimesters as well.
Of course, most women don’t mind the morning sickness because they love the idea of being pregnant.
However, consistent nausea, vomiting, and heartburn may curb a woman’s appetite. She may feel suddenly notice her sense of smell and taste are not the same as before.
2. Stress
Stress can be caused by both internal and external factors. Some controllable outside factors include worrying about the financial impact a new baby will have on the family. If you haven’t started a savings plan yet, you may start now.
If you’re a single mom or will work outside the home, it can be stressful to think about what happens after the baby arrives. All these little things will cause you anxiety and stress.
Stress will do one of two things: increase or decrease consumption of food. It may also cause you to experience severe muscle pain and headaches already there because of the pregnancy. These problems will also affect your appetite.
3. Constipation
Bodily hormones will cause an array of problems such as mood swings and constipation. When your intestinal muscles relax, it slows the food down in your digestive system. This will lead to constipation. Constipation takes a lot out of you, especially for pregnant women. Sometimes, it’s just better to relax than it is to eat.
4 Ways Pregnant Women Can Handle Their Appetite Loss
As you see, there are many reasons for appetite loss, which is why it’s time for you to make changes to your diet and routine. Be it your first, second or third trimester; you can never be too late to make healthy choices for you and your unborn baby.
1. Smaller Meals
Rather than eating three big meals a day, space out your meals to smaller ones. You won’t feel full, and you decrease the chance of morning sickness side effects. Add ginger tea or ginger pills to your diet, as they alleviate and stop the symptoms of morning sickness altogether.
2. Realize What Your Food Groups Are
It’s important to talk to a nutritionist or your doctor about the foods and supplements to take as well as how much weight to gain. Ignore the “eating for two” rule. You want to eat more but healthily. Remember, your baby is taking your nutrients too.
For an average calorie intake and weight, the first trimester needs only an additional 100 calories. You just need to add around 300 calories in your second and third trimesters. You’ll need to increase this amount for more than one baby.
You should also add more fats and fiber to your diet, but remember, moderation is key. With the added fiber, you’ll reduce your chances of suffering from constipation
3. Hydration
Water is essential if you want to decrease your chances of dealing with constipation. Make sure to add fluids like water and low sugar juices to ensure a balanced sodium level. This will stop the body from developing high blood pressure or even a urinary tract infection. The fewer complications you have, the less stress to contend with.
4. Relax As Much As Possible
There are many ways in which to relax – read, nap, pilates, pregnancy yoga or walking. You can also do deep breathing – to not only prepare for the labor but to release your stress. By relaxing, you’re also decreasing the chance of constipation, high blood pressure, and other problems.
When Should You Talk To Your Doctor
If you’ve done everything you can to gain weight but are still losing it while pregnant, it could be the result of two very problematic complications. This is when you need to talk to your doctor.
Hyperemesis Gravidarum – Many pregnant women overlook the condition because it’s natural to throw up and feeling sick to your stomach while pregnant. But, if it continues all day or lasts until your third trimester, you need to talk to your doctor. While it can be normal, your doctor should know about it to ensure you and your unborn baby are healthy.
Depression – Stress is normal but unusual stress and feeling run down could be a sign of depression. This need to be looked at right away. If you were taking antidepressants before you got pregnant, you might be reluctant to let your doctor know. If you had an eating disorder before the pregnancy, you could actually lose weight during the pregnancy. If you feel any sign is beyond normal, it’s important to contact your doctor about it.
The best thing you can do is keep as positive as you can during this time of miracle. You are beautiful no matter what size you are. Remember, a baby is a miracle to bring into this life.
