When the processes of adaptation of the female body to the onset of pregnancy are disrupted, a phenomenon called toxicosis occurs. This phenomenon is quite common. When the fetus develops, toxins and substances enter the woman’s body that provoke poisoning of the mother’s body, as a result of which symptoms of toxicosis appear. In the article we will consider: when toxicosis begins, in what week, when toxicosis passes, you will learn about early toxicosis in the early stages of pregnancy and about late toxicosis.

The main signs of toxicosis include severe nausea, frequent vomiting, and excessive salivation. In addition, toxicosis is manifested by bad mood, depression, weakness, drowsiness, irritability, and sudden weight loss. Sometimes toxicosis can be accompanied by more severe complications in the form of dermatoses, muscle cramps, softening of bones, jaundice and bronchial asthma of pregnant women.

Causes of toxicosis during pregnancy

The true causes of toxicosis during pregnancy during the period of bearing a child in our time remain unexplored. It is impossible to say absolutely precisely about the nature of the occurrence of toxicosis symptoms.

But it is still possible to identify some causes of toxicosis:

1. Malfunction of the hormonal system. From the first seconds that a woman becomes a future mother, she begins to experience dramatic changes in her hormonal system. Their composition undergoes changes, and accordingly the woman’s well-being and her mood change. Signs appear: irritability, touchiness, tearfulness, nausea during pregnancy, and an increased sense of smell. This is due to the fact that the mother’s body accepts the child as a foreign body. But by the 12th week, the symptoms of toxicosis during pregnancy gradually weaken.
2. Formation of the placenta. The fact is that when the process of placental development is completed, the placenta takes over all the functions of filtering harmful substances. In this regard, after 12 weeks the expectant mother’s well-being improves. Until then, the function of the filter is performed by the female body.
3. The body of the expectant mother triggers a protective reaction. In this case, toxicosis during pregnancy is even useful and biologically necessary. A pregnant woman feels nausea during pregnancy and the urge to vomit when smelling cigarettes, coffee, or alcohol. Thus, the mother and fetus are protected from dangerous and harmful substances
4. Chronic diseases. This is due to the fact that if the mother’s immunity is weakened by bacterial or viral diseases, this contributes to the appearance of toxicosis
5. Neuropsychic stress. Dramatic changes occur in the nervous system of a pregnant woman, and the areas of the brain responsible for the sense of smell and the gastrointestinal tract are especially activated. Toxicosis can also be caused by stress, lack of sleep, and irritability of the expectant mother. In addition, many pregnant women psychologically convince themselves that they must have toxicosis, since everyone has it.
6. Age of the expectant mother. If pregnancy occurs after 30 years of age, and even more so if this is the first pregnancy or there have been many abortions before, then it is much more difficult for a woman to endure toxicosis during pregnancy. Its manifestations are more intense than in younger women.
7. Genetic factors can also influence the occurrence of toxicosis. If in the previous generation someone suffered from toxicosis, then the risk of its occurrence increases.
8. Multiple pregnancy gives not only double or triple joy, but also intense manifestations of toxicosis. But it should be borne in mind that if a woman overcomes toxicosis in the early stages of pregnancy, then the risk of miscarriage is practically eliminated, which is very important.

At what stage does toxicosis occur during pregnancy?

By listening to their body and the unusual changes that occur in it, many women try to determine whether pregnancy has occurred or not. But none of them can say with absolute accuracy when toxicosis begins during pregnancy. Doctors usually distinguish two types of toxicosis according to the timing of its appearance: early toxicosis and late toxicosis.

• Typically, early toxicosis during pregnancy begins from the first days of a missed period and ends by the beginning of the second trimester, that is, approximately 12-13 weeks. Although all cases are individual and there are no specific restrictions and frameworks in this matter.
• Late toxicosis during pregnancy begins at the beginning of the last third trimester, or even in the middle of the second. Late toxicosis during pregnancy is very dangerous for both mother and child. Modern studies have shown that late toxicosis during pregnancy is a serious disease of the entire body, which is characterized by pathological changes in the functioning of the most important systems and organs. The reason for this is disturbances in the functioning of the nervous system, which provoke problems with the vascular system. As a result, the main symptoms of late toxicosis appear, which are manifested by vascular disorders and circulatory disorders: hypoxia occurs, brain functions change, metabolism, liver and kidney function are disrupted.

Why does toxicosis cause nausea during pregnancy?

The hormone progesterone underlies the appearance of nausea during toxicosis. Hormones such as human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and prolactin also play an important role in the appearance of this unpleasant manifestation of toxicosis. But in all women, toxicosis during pregnancy manifests itself to varying degrees. This is explained by the fact that each woman’s body is individual. The manifestations of nausea increase if a woman had problems with the gastrointestinal tract before pregnancy. Sharp changes in stomach acidity, combined with hormonal fluctuations, lead not only to nausea, but even severe vomiting.

Problems in the functioning of the endocrine, nervous and immune systems of a pregnant woman also play an important role in the appearance of nausea during toxicosis. In addition, a genetic factor should not be ruled out. If the mother experienced toxicosis during pregnancy, then most likely the daughter will also suffer from its unpleasant manifestations.

If toxicosis during pregnancy began with symptoms of nausea, then they will soon be joined by vomiting, excessive salivation and heartburn. Usually, all these phenomena disappear before the beginning of the second trimester.

Types of toxicosis during pregnancy

There are the following types of toxicosis: staphylococcal, evening, early toxicosis, late toxicosis, toxicosis before a missed period.

1. Staphylococcal toxicosis can be activated by enterotoxigenic strains. It appears a few hours after the last meal that turned out to be contaminated. Symptoms of this type of toxicosis are cramping abdominal pain, vomiting and nausea. There are no neurological disorders, rash or high fever. Recovery occurs on its own within 12 hours.
2. Evening toxicosis may occur as a result of severe fatigue, overexertion and insufficient food intake throughout the day. The body is exhausted in the evening, and toxicosis occurs. This type of toxicosis disrupts normal sleep and rest. You can overcome it by walking in the evening and drinking fresh juice from sour fruits and vegetables.
3. Early toxicosis may appear at 1-14 weeks of pregnancy. Doctors advise to calmly perceive the manifestations of toxicosis. If the condition is quite severe, the attending doctor may prescribe medications that will alleviate the condition of the pregnant woman. But it should be remembered that if you stop taking these drugs, the symptoms of toxicosis will immediately resume. It is better to use traditional medicine for this purpose. Moreover, it will not be so dangerous for the baby.
4. Late toxicosis during pregnancy, which proceeds without complications, it usually does not appear. But there are cases when toxicosis is manifested by severe nausea and vomiting. If unfavorable factors are added, the symptoms of toxicosis increase, and a dangerous condition occurs, which is called gestosis. It is characterized by swelling, protein in the urine, high blood pressure, and weight gain of 400 grams in one week. In this case, the expectant mother should be immediately hospitalized in a hospital.
5. Toxicosis before missed period. Sometimes nausea can develop immediately after conception. But this does not mean pregnancy has occurred. Toxicosis may appear within a week after the development of the fertilized egg.

How to get rid of nausea during pregnancy and is it possible?

Nausea during pregnancy brings few pleasant sensations, but it is possible and necessary to fight toxicosis. You should follow simple recommendations to alleviate toxicosis during pregnancy:

• It is imperative to eat and avoid hunger; it is on an empty stomach that nausea during pregnancy manifests itself to the fullest;
• You need to have breakfast in bed without getting up. After eating you need to lie down for a while;
• You need to eat often and in small portions; overeating is strictly prohibited;
• Dishes prepared by frying should be excluded; smoked, salty and spicy foods should not be consumed;
• Do not make sudden movements or bend over too much. Such movements may provoke vomiting;
• You should eat what your body tells you. Typically, pregnant women do not want to eat harmful and toxic foods;
• You should walk in the fresh air more often and ventilate the room;
• You should not eat too cold or hot foods;
• A good remedy for nausea during pregnancy are acidic foods;
• Bad habits such as smoking and drinking alcohol should be avoided. They are very harmful to the child, and in addition increase the manifestations of toxicosis;

Nausea during pregnancy usually goes away at the beginning of the second trimester. But there are times when nausea reappears at the beginning of the third trimester. Nausea and vomiting at the end of pregnancy are not normal. The child may suffer from nutritional deficiencies and poor circulation. The reason for this is the growth of the uterus and weakening of gastric peristalsis. You should definitely notify your doctor about this. Since the causes of nausea are completely different, and accordingly the treatment should be completely different.

When does toxicosis end during pregnancy?

It is difficult to say exactly when toxicosis ends and how long it lasts. It all depends on the individual characteristics of the woman herself. If we take into account the varieties: early toxicosis and late toxicosis, then early toxicosis during pregnancy, as already mentioned, goes away by the second trimester, that is, at 12-14 weeks of pregnancy, and late toxicosis can appear in the 2-3 trimesters and the time when it passes This toxicosis will vary depending on the cause of its occurrence.

Vomiting during pregnancy - description and methods of combating vomiting

It is vomiting, which is accompanied by nausea, that are the first signs of toxicosis, which accompanies pregnancy in many cases. It is worth remembering that vomiting usually goes away on its own and there is no need for specialized treatment. But it is vomiting that American scientists consider a very favorable sign during pregnancy. They argue that vomiting that occurs during pregnancy indicates the normal course of the woman’s interesting situation. It is those expectant mothers who have survived the manifestations of toxicosis in the form of nausea and vomiting that in most cases bear the child very safely and the birth takes place without complications. At the same time, women who have no symptoms of toxicosis often experience such a very unpleasant event as a miscarriage.

Early toxicosis overtakes most women almost simultaneously with the news of pregnancy. Sometimes symptoms of toxicosis even serve as the first signals that a woman is pregnant. More than half of modern women, especially those who live in cities, fully experience all its unpleasant manifestations. In fact, toxicosis is not a sign of pregnancy, but a manifestation, albeit very frequent, of some disturbances in the normal course of pregnancy.

Signs of toxicosis

Toxicosis is a whole complex of pathological, essentially abnormal reactions of a woman’s body to the development of pregnancy. Toxicoses are distinguished by severity and time of development. At the beginning of pregnancy, the so-called early toxicosis of pregnancy may develop, the most common manifestations of which are nausea and vomiting. This is a very common occurrence, and in most cases goes away without medical intervention and does not cause significant harm to either the woman’s health or the development of the child. And in the third trimester of pregnancy, such a formidable complication as late toxicosis or gestosis may occur. It is characterized by disturbances in the functioning of internal organs, mainly the kidneys, and is manifested by edema, increased blood pressure and protein in the urine. Preeclampsia, unlike early toxicosis, requires mandatory medical supervision and, often, the pregnant woman’s stay in hospital. And the consequences from them can be much more severe, and sometimes even fatal, if medical assistance is not provided in time.

Toxicosis in early pregnancy has several common forms. A pregnant woman may experience nausea, vomiting, dizziness and increased salivation. Nausea can only occur in the morning on an empty stomach and disappear after eating. In other cases, nausea persists even after eating, leading to loss of appetite. Both one-time and regular, daily vomiting can also be observed.

How much to suffer

Usually, the delay of menstruation and the establishment of the fact of pregnancy coincide in time with the moment when early toxicosis begins in the expectant mother. This happens around 5-6 weeks of pregnancy. At this point, hormonal changes in the body are in full swing. And power over all processes passes to progesterone. It is this hormone that is responsible for maintaining pregnancy. During the entire first trimester, a woman’s body is reconstructed. During this same period, the formation of all the main organs and systems of the unborn baby occurs. That's why the first trimester is considered the most important. After all, the baby will only grow further.

All women who are bothered by nausea and vomiting during short periods of pregnancy are concerned about the question of when early toxicosis ends. Normally, all unpleasant manifestations should subside by the 14th week of pregnancy. But it is not uncommon for nausea to persist until the 20th week. In any case, persistence of toxicosis after the 15th week of pregnancy requires mandatory consultation with a doctor, especially if the general condition of the pregnant woman is impaired, there is a loss of strength and weight loss, and there are signs of dehydration.

Causes of toxicosis

Doctors still have not agreed on the nature of toxicosis and what is its main cause.

The development of toxicosis is, of course, influenced by many factors. This includes the woman’s health status before pregnancy, her lifestyle, the presence or absence of physical and emotional stress, chronic diseases of the digestive system, as well as the emotional perception of the pregnancy state.

Since the body undergoes a complete restructuring at the beginning of pregnancy, brain signals stimulate the digestive system in a specific way. In addition, the hormone progesterone, which is responsible for the normal course of pregnancy, has a relaxing effect on the uterus to avoid the threat of miscarriage. Its effect also extends to the stomach and intestines. Thus, the digestive system slows down, which causes unpleasant symptoms.

The “hormonal” theory of the development of this pathology also speaks of the effect of chorionic gonadotropin on the digestive system - yes, yes, the same one by the presence of which a woman’s interesting position is determined. True, it is not entirely clear what exactly this adverse effect is. But the timing of the maximum increase in this hormone and the obvious manifestations of malaise in women coincide.

Toxicosis is significantly aggravated during pregnancy if there is a history of disturbances in the functioning of the stomach, intestines, or problems with the gallbladder. In addition, poor nutrition and lack of normal physical activity in the fresh air contribute to the development of the disease.

There is a version of the occurrence of toxicosis due to the very strong immune system of the mother, which reacts to her own child as if it were a “foreign object.” In fact, this is true... But only half... Half of the child’s genetic code is the inheritance of his father.

Well, okay, with these reasons and versions, this is not the main thing for expectant mothers. For most pregnant women, the more pressing question is how to deal with early toxicosis using non-drug means.

In most cases, the answer is simple: listen to your own body's signals. After all, nature itself tells you which foods are harmful and which are necessary for the expectant mother and baby. It is very good to eat as many fiber-containing foods as possible. Fresh vegetables and fruits will stimulate the stomach and enhance intestinal motility, this will gradually smooth out unpleasant symptoms. In addition, it is important to establish a comfortable diet. In most cases, split meals in small portions help so as not to experience nausea from overeating or hunger.

When to sound the alarm

But sometimes you can’t do without taking medications and medical care in general. Early toxicosis requires treatment when nausea and vomiting affect the general condition of the pregnant woman. If there is a complete loss of appetite, weight loss of more than 3 kg and heart rhythm disturbances, urination becomes rare, and acetone is detected in a urine test, urgent consultation with a doctor is necessary. Vomiting more than 3 times a day combined with loss of appetite can lead to dehydration and imbalance of salt balance in the body. This is especially dangerous, since at this moment the formation of the child’s basic life functions occurs. Urinary retention and its total volume of less than half a liter per day is a serious signal of dehydration and an urgent reason for hospitalization.

In some cases, antiemetic drugs such as Cerucal may be prescribed.

The timing of toxicosis is very individual and depends on the health status of each woman. The first trimester of pregnancy can be complicated by early toxicosis and associated nausea and vomiting. The last trimester is dangerous due to the development of late toxicosis.
Toxicosis is a complex of reactions of the body to disturbances in the normal process of pregnancy. To be fair, it is worth noting that most pregnant women experience its symptoms to one degree or another. And symptoms such as nausea and vomiting have acquired the status of classic signs of pregnancy.

The nature of toxicosis is multifaceted. The body’s reaction to the development of new life in it comes from the nervous system, from the immune system. Hormonal levels change, and the functioning of internal organs is radically restructured.

Early toxicosis

Most expectant mothers and those women who are just planning a pregnancy are wondering at what time toxicosis begins and when it ends. Typically, the first signs of pathology appear at the time of missed menstruation. During this period, hormonal changes in the body actively occur. The level of progesterone increases, which is responsible for maintaining pregnancy throughout the entire 9 months. Progesterone has a relaxing effect on the uterus, reducing its muscle tone. A side effect of this process is a decrease in tone and a slowdown in the functioning of the gastrointestinal organs.

At this moment, a woman may experience morning sickness and even vomiting for the first time. In addition, increased salivation is a fairly common occurrence. Toxicosis has a time of onset and end that depends on the body of each individual woman. The duration and severity of the pathology are directly related to the lifestyle and health status of the woman.

There is no single answer to the question of how long toxicosis lasts during pregnancy. We can only say that in most cases it all starts at 4-5 weeks. That is, approximately at the moment when it becomes known that pregnancy has occurred. Early toxicosis ends by the time the hormonal levels stabilize. This usually occurs between 12 and 14 weeks of pregnancy.

If toxicosis lasts more than 10 weeks, that is, it continues to bother women after the 15th week of pregnancy, this is a clear reason to consult a doctor.

How to deal with the symptoms of toxicosis and how to behave

Many people believe that nature does nothing for nothing. Any manifestation of toxicosis can serve as a signal that something needs to be changed. If a pregnant woman experiences moderate toxicosis, it will be possible to smooth out its manifestations by adjusting lifestyle and diet.

The undoubted benefit to the unborn child and a noticeable reduction in discomfort will be ensured by the restoration of normal blood flow. To do this, you need to set aside time every day for physical activity in the fresh air. Both factors are important here - fresh air and movement. The blood will circulate more actively, become saturated with oxygen and properly provide nutrition not only to the unborn child, but also to all the organs of the expectant mother.

Intestinal motility will naturally increase, and appetite will appear. Toxicosis in the early stages signals which products the body now needs and which will cause harm. Usually, attacks of nausea are caused by fast food products from stores, fried foods, and spicy foods. Toxicosis in pregnant women will also naturally help you decide on your diet. Eating small portions will probably be preferable. For some, morning sickness will force them to eat an apple without getting out of bed, while for others, the optimal solution would be gymnastics (if there is no threat of miscarriage) or a walk in the fresh air before breakfast.

It is important for a woman to always remember that the well-being of her unborn child depends entirely on her well-being. This is especially important in the first weeks of pregnancy, when all the organs and systems of the unborn baby are formed. At this stage, any failures are too expensive. That is why you need to pay attention not so much to the symptoms of toxicosis, but to monitor the general condition of the body. If, against the background of early toxicosis, a complete loss of appetite occurs, weight loss occurs, a woman feels constant fatigue and a craving for sleep - this is a reason not only to change habits, but also to immediately consult a doctor.

Toxicosis sometimes overshadows a wonderful time for a woman - the period of bearing a baby. Instead of enjoying this amazing period, the woman painfully seeks a way out of the unpleasant and tormenting state. Why toxicosis develops, how it progresses and how to alleviate its manifestations during early pregnancy, we will tell you in this material.

What is it?

In medicine, the concept of “toxicosis” is a broader concept than we are used to thinking. It refers to any pathological condition that is caused by exposure to toxins. Toxins can be external, exogenous. Such toxicosis develops as a result of a microbial infection, because most bacteria poison the body of their carrier with the products of their vital activity. Toxicosis can be endogenous, caused by exposure to substances that are formed in the human body as a result of metabolism. Toxicosis of pregnant women is one of the endogenous conditions.

A whole range of changes occur in the body of the expectant mother, which ultimately lead to signs of toxicosis. A woman’s hormonal levels begin to change literally from the first minutes after conception, and these changes can make themselves felt through toxicosis.

In the cerebral cortex of women with the onset of pregnancy, a new temporary center is formed - the so-called “pregnancy center”. Its task is to control the behavior and physiological functions of pregnancy. The new center, of course, is very necessary for the body of the expectant mother, but its active work often leads to malfunctions in the work of other centers, in particular, the center responsible for the production of saliva, for vasomotor functions, and excessive activation of the vomiting center.

That is why, already in the very early stages of pregnancy, when the woman is not yet aware of her position, profuse drooling during sleep, nausea and vomiting, headaches, chills, and a slight increase in body temperature may occur.

Although gestational toxicosis is a common companion for expectant mothers, especially in the early stages, it is not a mandatory symptom of pregnancy. If there is no toxicosis, this is also quite normal and natural. According to medical statistics, up to 80% of expectant mothers suffer from early toxicosis to one degree or another. A woman’s body is exposed to toxic effects due to the fact that in most cases it fails to adapt to pregnancy in time and accept all the numerous internal changes at once, for granted.

In the concept of “toxicosis,” doctors include disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, nervous system, endocrine glands, failures of the immune defense, and pathological changes in the functioning of the cardiovascular and urinary systems. All signs and symptoms of gestational toxicosis are considered comprehensively, not one at a time, and it is by the combination of disorders that arise during pregnancy that doctors can judge the degree, severity, type of toxicosis and how to deal with it, if any. necessity.

Start dates and duration

The true causes of toxicosis have not been fully studied, and much is still unclear about the inadequate reaction of the female body to pregnancy. But the main version is immune. In other words, the woman’s immunity is at a loss - there is a half-foreign object in the body, but it cannot be destroyed! From the first minutes after conception, the hormone progesterone begins to be produced in large quantities. It prepares the walls of the uterus for upcoming implantation, takes care of the accumulation of nutrients and fats, and also affects the woman’s immunity. The fertilized egg (zygote, and later blastocyst and embryo) contains only half of the genetic set similar to its native one. The second half of the genetic material is paternal, and it is its immunity that qualifies it as a foreign object.

To prevent the immune system from dealing with the embryo, progesterone artificially suppresses its mechanisms. In women with strong immunity, the manifestations of toxicosis are usually stronger, because their immune defense does not give up for a long time. The process of suppressing the immune system with progesterone causes changes at the biochemical level, and it is these new substances that cause internal intoxication.

Enter the first day of your last menstrual period

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After implantation of the fertilized egg, which occurs on average 7-8 days after conception, the production of another “pregnant” hormone, hCG, begins. Human chorionic gonadotropin also contributes to the well-being of the expectant mother. Its concentration increases gradually, and within a week, around the date when the woman expects her next menstruation, the first signs of toxicosis may appear.

Usually, it is at 5-6 weeks of pregnancy (if you start counting from the first day of the last menstruation, as all obstetricians do), that a woman begins to feel sick, has attacks of dizziness, and taste preferences change. Less commonly described is toxicosis, which appears a little earlier - at 3-4 weeks, immediately after implantation. Most often, the unpleasant condition first makes itself felt at 7-8 weeks.

How long toxicosis lasts is not an easy question. Here a lot depends on the individual characteristics of the body. Experts tend to believe that toxicosis is most likely during the period of active formation of the placenta - from 5-6 weeks to 14-16 weeks of pregnancy. Most women who suffered from early toxicosis claim that they felt significantly better after 12-13 weeks of pregnancy. For some, toxicosis “lingers” until 18-20 weeks.

The severity of a woman’s condition is determined in laboratory conditions, mainly by the level of acetone in the urine and characteristic changes in the blood count.

An increase in acetone is always associated with a lack of glucose. In the morning, the sugar level is always lower than in the evening, which is why toxicosis most often makes itself felt in the morning.

Symptoms

The signs and manifestations of gestational toxicosis are generally well known to all women and are actively discussed by them in specialized forums. Most often, toxicosis manifests itself as causeless nausea and even vomiting. Any little thing can provoke them, for example, the smell of a previously loved perfume, the taste of toothpaste during the morning or evening toilet, the smell of cooking food, gasoline, the husband’s eau de toilette - all this can cause a sudden attack of nausea.

Quite often, the first signs of early toxicosis are dizziness. They can be insignificant, rare and short-lived, or they can cause a lot of trouble - if a woman suddenly, paroxysmally feels dizzy, she experiences weakness, then loss of consciousness is possible at the most inconvenient time - when traveling in public transport, at work, in a store.

Also common forms of gestational toxicosis are belching, including with bile, signs of indigestion (diarrhea, constipation, heartburn), changes in taste preferences, headaches that accompany early pregnancy, appearing mainly in the evenings. Six out of ten pregnant women experience daily rises in body temperature within a week or two after conception. The temperature during toxicosis rises slightly - slightly above 37.0 degrees, usually in the afternoon or evening. It is caused by an increase in progesterone in the body of the expectant mother, the concentration of which reaches its peak in the afternoon.

This temperature does not require taking medications or antipyretics, it is physiological and cannot harm the unborn baby in any way. Most cases of gestational toxicosis in the early stages are also considered completely physiological and do not require treatment. Doctors say that you just need to endure temporary unpleasant symptoms associated with the female body’s adaptation to new conditions. However, constant toxicosis, which prevents a woman from eating normally, leads to significant weight loss, disruption of the gastrointestinal tract, changes in blood composition, and may require hospitalization.

Quite rarely, toxicosis manifests itself as dermatological problems - skin rashes with or without itching, exacerbation of bronchial asthma, osteomalacia. Symptoms of early gestational toxicosis are very individual and can be present either individually or in combination, much depends on the extent and form in which it is observed in a woman.

Species

As already mentioned, toxicosis in a pregnant woman can have various forms and types. It is necessary to distinguish several main types of female malaise in the very early stages of gestation:

Poisoning. We are talking about poisoning if vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain appear suddenly. This toxicosis is also called bacterial. It is associated with poisoning of the body by toxins that bacteria have released into low-quality food products during reproduction.

Evening. Unpleasant symptoms with such toxicosis appear exclusively in the evening. It may be due to the fact that the woman was tired, did not eat enough during the working day, or experienced stress.

Despite the fact that nausea and dizziness make it difficult to fall asleep normally, such toxicosis is not considered dangerous; it passes quickly enough.

Morning. This type is the most common. It is in the morning, after a long sleep, that the level of glucose in the human body is minimal, and against this background nausea and even vomiting appear. Such symptoms at the very beginning of the day also do not pose a danger to the woman and child.

Early. Unpleasant symptoms with it are characteristic of women up to 14-16 weeks of pregnancy. If the symptoms are mild, the woman is not experiencing rapid weight loss and there are no signs of dehydration, no treatment is required.

Preeclampsia(late toxicosis). This is toxicosis that develops at the end of the second or third trimester. This is the most dangerous type of toxicosis; it can lead to placental abruption and fetal death. Among the causes of maternal mortality, gestosis also occupies one of the leading positions. It requires mandatory medical intervention.

A woman can easily assess the severity of the symptoms herself, but it is better to report any concerns to the attending physician. A minor degree (first) is usually characterized by infrequent vomiting (no more than 3-4 times a day) that occurs after eating. Weight loss in mild cases does not exceed 3-4 kilograms, the woman’s mucous membranes remain sufficiently moisturized, and the skin is elastic. Pulse and blood pressure levels are most often within normal limits. This stage does not require medication treatment.

Severe toxicosis (second degree) is characterized by more frequent vomiting, which can occur up to 8 times a day. The woman's health is deteriorating. Acetone appears in the urine, a characteristic acetone odor from the mouth may be observed, blood pressure decreases, and this causes attacks of weakness. The pulse is rapid, the skin is dry, the woman loses weight up to 6-8 kilograms. This stage necessarily requires medical intervention.

Threatening toxicosis (third degree) is characterized by frequent and debilitating vomiting (more than 15 times a day), severe dehydration, and large loss of body weight. This degree poses a threat to a woman’s life and cannot be avoided without medical intervention. The woman's skin and tongue become dry, blood pressure drops, and the pulse exceeds 120 beats per minute. The composition of the blood changes; not only acetone, but also protein is found in the urine.

Who is being threatened?

Since the mechanism of toxicosis has not yet been fully studied, its causes are not obvious, and it is quite difficult to determine the circle of women who are at risk. But long-term observations of obstetricians and gynecologists show that there are quite good reasons to believe that in the early stages women are most susceptible to the development of toxicosis:

• those who became pregnant before the age of 18-19 and women who became pregnant after 30 years of age;
• those who suffered before pregnancy from various pathologies and diseases of the kidneys, immune system, and also had problems with the endocrine system;
• whose previous pregnancy was accompanied by toxicosis;
• with gynecological problems, in particular with inflammatory processes in the endometrium;
• abusing alcoholic beverages and smoking;
• those born from a pregnancy accompanied by toxicosis, as well as if their mothers and sisters have an obstetric history of other pregnancies with unpleasant symptoms of intoxication;
• those who moved from central Russia or its southern regions to the north and became pregnant within the first five years after moving;
• which are characterized by latent anemia.

And this is not a complete list of prerequisites for the development of intoxication in the initial gestational stages. When registering for pregnancy, the doctor must collect a complete medical history; he is interested in how previous pregnancies proceeded, what they were like for close relatives of the expectant mother.

If an obstetrician-gynecologist has reason to believe that a woman is in a state of pretoxicosis, he can prescribe preventive treatment and make recommendations. Pretoxicosis does not always develop and become full-fledged toxicosis, but such a possibility cannot be excluded.

Why is it missing?

In the generally accepted view, toxicosis is almost an obligatory symptom of pregnancy, especially in the early stages. Actually this is not true. Many pregnant women do not experience it and carry their babies easily. Why is this happening?

First of all, a toxic-free pregnancy is possible when a woman has no chronic diseases, no problems with immune pathologies, metabolism, or excess weight. The absence of gestational toxicosis as such may be genetically determined - the mother and grandmother of the expectant mother did not suffer from nausea and vomiting while carrying their babies.

In any case, if there is no toxicosis, this is normal. This suggests that the woman’s body easily adapted to the onset of pregnancy, all organs and systems began to be rebuilt to work in new conditions, there was no “protest” from the mother’s body.

The absence of toxicosis should not frighten you. But if it was there, and then suddenly disappeared before 12-14 weeks, this may be a sign of fading pregnancy, stopping the development of the embryo. If a woman’s toxicosis lasted for several weeks or months, and then suddenly disappeared, she should definitely visit her doctor and make sure that the pregnancy is developing.

The absence of toxicosis in the early stages is the most favorable prospect for a woman and her baby. If there is no vomiting and accompanying “troubles”, the likelihood of premature spontaneous abortion is lower, the child receives a sufficient amount of vitamins, minerals and other necessary substances from the mother’s blood, the mother’s mood and well-being are stable and this creates good preconditions for the development of the fetus.

Treatment with medications

Treatment with medications is prescribed only for moderate and threatening degrees of toxicosis, and for severe toxicosis. With a mild degree, you can completely get by with traditional medicine, of course, having previously agreed on their use with your doctor. Moderate degree may require treatment with prescribed medications at home or in a day hospital. In case of severe toxicosis, the woman is indicated for hospitalization.

Doctors begin to fight severe toxicosis after determining the degree and severity of the course. The usual classical treatment regimen includes Droperidol. This drug belongs to the group of antipsychotics that suppress the vomiting center in the cerebral cortex. The frequency of vomiting attacks decreases. Droppers with this drug have a faster and more pronounced effect than administering the drug intramuscularly. Often a woman is prescribed Relanium tablets; sometimes the drug Cerucal is recommended. This therapy makes it possible to provide effective assistance at the first stage - the activity of the central nervous system is regulated, the urge to vomit becomes less.

The second stage of inpatient treatment is aimed at replenishing the water-salt balance, which is significantly disturbed due to frequent vomiting and diarrhea. In case of severe vomiting, a woman is given IV drips with saline solutions, saline, and vitamins. Be sure to introduce glucose, B vitamins and give ascorbic acid (vitamin C). The woman is shown enterosobrents - “Polysorb”, “Enterosgel”. If the woman’s condition continues to be severe due to dehydration, hormonal therapy is prescribed - “Prednisolone” (hydrocortisone).

For expectant mothers with severe toxicosis, antihistamines “Suprastin”, “Tavegil”, “Diprazin”, “Diphenhydramine” are recommended. These drugs, according to the classical treatment regimen, are indicated for intramuscular administration. Along with taking medications, it is recommended to drink plenty of warm drinks, bed or semi-bed rest.

Today, the method of immunocytotherapy can also be used. They resort to it if treatment with medications does not produce a noticeable effect. An extract from her husband's lymphocytes is injected under the skin in the area of ​​the forearm of the expectant mother. Within a day, relief should come, because the woman’s immunity will “switch” to a new object of increased danger - foreign cells. However, this method has only a temporary effect and exists in order to temporarily make a woman feel better.

Termination of pregnancy for medical reasons is carried out in case of severe threatening toxicosis in cases where the medicinal methods of influence described above have not brought results within 12 hours from the start of therapy, if the woman’s condition continues to be threatening. Also, termination of pregnancy is strongly recommended as the only life-saving option if a woman develops liver dystrophy, kidney failure, or nephropathy against the background of severe toxicosis. Pregnancy is terminated in the early stages using an induced abortion.

Numerous homeopathic medicines (for example, “Nux vomica-Homaccord”, “Mercurius”, “Colchicum-6”, “Vomicumheel”, “Cocculus indicus” and others), although recommended by manufacturers as effective remedies for any form of toxicosis in pregnant women, have been proven have no effect. Clinical trials of these drugs have not been carried out, and the doses of active ingredients in the drugs are so small that, by and large, a woman will receive only small fractions of sugar, water and only a few molecules (!) of the active substance.

If you have severe toxicosis, you should not try to treat yourself with homeopathic remedies, which are considered harmless. You may miss precious time that is necessary for a woman to receive qualified medical care.

Homeopathy is harmless, but, alas, completely useless, especially in threatening conditions. Mild stages of toxicosis usually do not require the use of medications and homeopathy, and in severe cases, treatment should be quick, competent and qualified. Therefore, you should not prescribe medications for yourself, and even more so, you should not keep silent about the fact that you feel unwell, believing that this is how it should be during pregnancy.

Folk remedies

Traditional medicine has hundreds of recipes that help pregnant women get rid of unpleasant and obsessive nausea and dizziness. These recipes have been tested by dozens of generations of women, but it should be understood that resorting to them makes sense only when a woman has a mild degree of toxicosis that does not threaten her life and health.

Aromatherapy helps relieve nausea and pathological perception of odors. Pregnant women resorted to it in Ancient Rome and Ancient Greece; treatment with essential oils was widely used in Rus'.

A few drops of peppermint essential oil can help cope with morning sickness - apply them to your wrist or handkerchief. It is enough to put it next to you while washing your face or having breakfast.

Aromatic ginger oil helps reduce nighttime toxicity and eliminate bouts of vomiting that occur after eating. Just apply a drop of oil on your palms, rub well, bring it to your face and take a deep, calm breath. If a woman suffers from attacks of dizziness, she is recommended to carry with her a small bottle of pine or fir essential oil. A few drops of this pine oil on the wrist will help cope with unpleasant sensations.

When choosing an essential oil, you must take into account your own tendency to allergies, because aromatherapy is not suitable for everyone. If it is not possible to visit an aromatherapist, you need to start from what groups of substances you have an allergic reaction to. If you are allergic to citrus fruits, you should not use essential oils of orange, lemon; if you are allergic to pollen, you should avoid essential oils and extracts of tropical and exotic plants, flowers and fruits.

If, after using the oil, redness appears on the wrist, a runny nose, watery eyes, or itchy skin begins, this method of helping with toxicosis should be categorically abandoned, giving preference to other options.

Historically, phytotherapeutic methods of combating gestational toxicosis have become more widely used in Russia. If you experience nausea in the morning, it is recommended to drink tea with mint leaves. If a woman vomits frequently, lemon water can help. To prepare it, take about one teaspoon of lemon juice per glass of clean drinking water. Also effective, according to reviews from pregnant women, are rosehip decoctions and homemade fruit juice made from sour fresh cranberries. Such drinks will not only relieve an attack of nausea, but also enrich the body with vitamin C.

In Rus', even before the advent of qualified obstetricians, when all hope was only in midwives, women took pumpkin tea for nausea. To do this, they took pumpkin pulp, chopped it finely, and then brewed it with boiling water. We drank it like regular tea. Tea with oregano was also popular, or rather, a decoction made from dried oregano and boiling water. For 300 grams of water, take no more than 10 g of herbal raw materials. Similar decoctions were prepared from lemon balm, weeping grass, and calendula flowers.

A decoction of chamomile and sage, as well as tea with the addition of an aqueous tincture of motherwort, is used selectively, in small doses.

Honey and bee products are usually not recommended for pregnant women, but in some cases it is allowed to drink tea with the addition of a teaspoon of fresh and high-quality honey.

Anyway, Before using herbal remedies, you should definitely consult your doctor, since herbs are not at all as harmless as most people think. They can lead to the development of a severe allergic reaction, disruption of digestion, sleep, decreased or increased blood pressure, and even early termination of pregnancy.

Nutrition

It is with food intake that most often big problems arise with early gestational toxicosis. In addition to the fact that taste preferences change, a woman’s appetite is disturbed (either it is absent or it is increased). Special attention should be paid to menu design. If it is compiled and planned correctly, many unpleasant manifestations and symptoms can be avoided.

The main mistake of expectant mothers is a misunderstanding of the essence of toxicosis. They believe that the less they eat, the less sick and nauseous they will be. This is wrong. The second big misconception concerns a diet based on one food or one food group. You can often hear that a woman suffering from early toxicosis is advised by more experienced mothers to eat what she wants and not to eat what makes her sick.

In the early stages, the fetus and the expectant mother need vitamins and minerals in full, and therefore a “skew” in favor of only cottage cheese or only apples can cause metabolic disorders and the development of allergies, both in the mother and in the future and in the fetus.

A balanced diet during the period of toxicosis should exclude foods to which a woman has a vomiting reaction, but they must find a worthy replacement. For example, if you have an inadequate reaction to pork, you can cook veal or poultry. But meat in one form or another must be in the diet. If a woman experiences nausea from cabbage and beets, she should add zucchini and pumpkin to her diet. You need to make sure that you have enough fruits rich in vitamin C. If you are vomiting, you should not under any circumstances stop eating salt, because it allows you to partially restore the minerals lost in the vomit.

Unlike the second and third trimesters, when salty foods are undesirable, at the very beginning of pregnancy you can afford lightly salted cucumbers and fish, but in very moderate quantities. Carbonated drinks and fatty foods, canned food, and smoked foods are completely contraindicated for toxicosis.

It is also worth giving up a lot of sweets, because sugar promotes fermentation processes in the intestines.

During this period, it is best to eat raw vegetables and fruits, cereals (dairy and non-dairy), boiled and steamed meat and dishes made from it, fish, cottage cheese, and dairy products. It is better to replace nuts and seeds, which some people use as an emergency aid for nausea, with white bread crackers prepared at home without spices. Nuts can cause severe allergies, but white crackers will not cause negative consequences.

It is important not to forget to eat first courses every day. Food should be taken fractionally, in small portions, but often - every 3-4 hours.

Following simple tips will help cope with early toxicosis. General recommendations include the following tips:

• Start your morning right. Don't get up too quickly when your alarm goes off. The rise should be gradual and smooth. Keep a plate of white crackers or dried fruits on your bedside table. One piece of dried apricots or a cracker right after waking up can relieve morning vomiting. Use children's toothpastes - they are less harsh and usually do not lead to vomiting. For breakfast, be sure to drink sweet tea after porridge or omelet to increase blood glucose levels. ​​​​
• Eliminate strong odors. Try not to be in smoky rooms during the day, do not use a lot of perfume, if necessary, do not hesitate to ask others to reduce the amount of perfume or eau de toilette you use.
  • Spend more time outdoors. If the distance allows, replace the bus ride with a walk, and in the evenings make it a rule to take a walk before going to bed. For walks, choose quieter and secluded places, parks, squares, forest belts, located away from highways.
  • Rest often. If possible, try to lie down during the day for at least half an hour. But in the evening after dinner, don’t go to bed right away, first go for a walk. This will promote better digestion and solve problems with night toxicosis.
  • Sleep with the window open. The designs of modern windows allow you to sleep with the sash ajar even in winter. The better the room is ventilated, the less nausea the expectant mother will feel. In summer, you can sleep with an open window or a slightly open balcony door.

  
  

  
  

  • Avoid strains and sudden movements. An attack of nausea can be triggered even by a sudden change in body position. Therefore, accustom yourself to be sedate, measured, move more smoothly and carefully. Avoid physical activity that causes noticeable fatigue, as well as active sports that can cause you to lose consciousness and get injured (bicycles, roller skates, treadmill in the gym). Swimming and skiing in the winter will be beneficial.
  • Stay in a good mood. Psychosomatic causes of toxicosis are rejection of the child, unwanted pregnancy, fear of childbirth, leaving the baby's father, fear of losing the child. Get more positive emotions, expect that everything will be fine and the symptoms of toxicosis will subside faster than you can imagine.

  
  

  If toxicosis suddenly intensifies, do not waste time - consult a doctor. Complaints about toxicosis are not as insignificant and ridiculous as they might seem, because behind its manifestations there may be a serious pathology.

  ​​​For toxicosis in early pregnancy, watch the following video.

Toxicosis during pregnancy is not uncommon. Sometimes it is toxicosis that makes it possible to recognize pregnancy in the early stages, since already from 4 weeks the expectant mother may feel weakness, nausea, and bouts of vomiting.

But, fortunately, not all women experience these unpleasant sensations. Many people carry a child and do not know at what time toxicosis begins and how strong it can be.

Signs of toxicosis include:

• loss of appetite,
• increased salivation,
• lethargy, fatigue, drowsiness, dizziness,
• change in taste preferences,
• aversion to certain smells,
• vomiting, nausea, heartburn.

If a woman is destined to experience all or some of these signs, this means that she is susceptible to toxicosis.

If we talk about early toxicosis, then it tends to appear at 4-5 weeks of pregnancy or later, and completely disappear by 16 weeks. Some notice signs of toxicosis from the first days of delay or even earlier. Late toxicosis can develop in the second and third trimester of pregnancy.

Why does toxicosis develop?

Obstetricians and gynecologists explain this fact by the individuality of the body, the presence of chronic diseases, hormonal changes, stress and numerous external factors, but it has not yet been possible to identify a specific cause.

Doctors often explain the onset of toxicosis during pregnancy for two reasons:

Firstly, hormonal levels change. The fertilized egg enters the uterus, where implantation of the fertilized egg occurs. As a result of the vital activity of the embryo, human chorionic gonadotropin, a glycoprotein, is released into the woman’s blood. In addition, the level of the hormones progesterone and estrogen increases in the body of a pregnant woman. By week 10, the level of hCG in the blood reaches its maximum.

It is the presence of this hormone in a woman’s blood and urine that confirms the fact of pregnancy. Naturally, the body reacts to a sharp release of hormones. At the same time, even a specialist will not be able to name the exact date on which day toxicosis begins or how many weeks toxicosis begins, since the course of pregnancy in each case is a purely individual process.

Secondly, a common cause for toxicosis is the emotional state of a woman. Especially if the pregnancy is unplanned or the pregnant woman has fear for her future fate and health. In families where the pregnancy is long-awaited, the woman is often afraid for the further preservation of the fetus and pregnancy, and the experience of unsuccessful pregnancies increases the feeling of fear. It happens that a pregnant woman waits until after toxicosis begins in order to make sure of her pregnancy and its correct course, which causes even greater nervousness and uncertainty.

Increased excitability, stress, anxiety, and fear cause an increase in “stress hormones”, as a result of which the body again reacts to hormonal changes. Therefore, when toxicosis begins during pregnancy, you should calm down and mentally prepare yourself for a successful pregnancy and childbirth, your health will certainly improve.

Influence of hereditary factor

The hereditary factor largely determines at what week toxicosis begins, and whether it begins at all. If a mother carried her daughter to term and did not know what morning sickness was, then the likelihood that her daughter would also not feel signs of toxicosis is very high.

According to gynecologists, there is no clear answer to what month toxicosis begins. Just as there is no clear connection with a hereditary factor.

Much more often, doctors note the connection between toxicosis and problems of the gastrointestinal tract, the lifestyle and nutrition of the expectant mother.

Why is toxicosis dangerous?

A woman can feel the first signs and determine pregnancy much earlier than tests and ultrasound. When toxicosis begins, 2-3 weeks may pass from conception.

It is believed that early toxicosis is less dangerous than late toxicosis. Since it begins suddenly, it also ends suddenly by the beginning or middle of the second trimester.

Preeclampsia (or toxicosis in later stages) manifests itself in a constant urge to vomit, the sense of smell is heightened, a woman’s irritation increases, and mood swings are a common occurrence with preeclampsia.

At the same time, swelling appears, protein in the urine increases, and blood pressure may “jump.” The brighter the symptoms, the more difficult the pregnancy is. This condition requires medical monitoring and elimination of the causes of gestosis. Treatment is selected individually and includes adjustments to the pregnant woman’s diet and lifestyle.

The complexity of treatment and the severity of gestosis depends on the level of intoxication. In any case, when toxicosis begins during late pregnancy, you must inform your gynecologist.

Prevention of toxicosis

• The best prevention is to give up bad habits and eat a balanced diet. Avoid alcohol, cigarettes, spicy and fatty foods.
• If strong odors irritate you, eliminate the cause. When toxicosis begins in pregnant women, the previously pleasant aroma of perfumes, cosmetics, air fresheners, coffee and some food products can cause disgust. All this needs to be excluded.
• Avoid overtiring. Healthy sleep and a walk in the fresh air strengthen physical and moral balance during pregnancy. Nausea and motion sickness in public transport are also one of the signs of toxicosis, which can be eliminated if you use public transport less often.
• When toxicosis begins, it is often recommended to eat small meals. Frequent meals can reduce nausea, and small portions are easier to digest without causing heartburn. In addition, with this diet you can avoid problems with gaining excess weight.
• One of the most accessible and proven remedies for nausea is mint leaves. They can be brewed into tea. Have mint candies with you, but mint chewing gum, on the contrary, will make you feel worse.
• Don't forget to take a multivitamin with high selenium content. They contain the necessary complex of minerals, vitamins and microelements. If vitamins do not relieve nausea and vomiting, they will help restore your strength and replenish lost substances.