Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
UI Maternity Care

Eating Concerns and Problems

The following suggestions are given for commonly reported symptoms of nausea, heartburn, constipation, frequent urination and hemorrhoids.

Nausea

• Eat frequent, small meals.
• Eat plenty of low fat bread and cereal which are easy to digest and provide energy.
• Avoid greasy or spicy foods, rich foods, and foods with a great deal of butter or fat.
• Put crackers, popcorn, dry cereal, or vanilla wafers in a plastic bag next to your bed.  Eat something when you wake up but before you get up.  This starts the digestive processes that will remove excess acid from your stomach and relieve the nausea.  Have your breakfast after the nausea subsides.
• Try popsicles or sherbet between meals.  Lemonade, lemon slices, potato chips, or low fat crackers sometimes also help relieve nausea.
• Get up slowly -- sudden movement can aggravate nausea.
• Be sure you have fresh air in the room when you sleep.
• Avoid cooking odors; try to have someone else do the cooking.
• Take iron supplements only as directed.  If they upset your stomach, ask your doctor if you can delay taking them for a few weeks.
• Do not drink beverages or soup with meals, but be sure to get enough liquids between meals, especially if you are vomiting.  Fruit juice and carbonated beverages are easy to digest and will supply some needed carbohydrates if you are having difficulty keeping down foods.
• Eat a high-protein snack before bed to stabilize blood sugar.  Suggestions are 1/2 sandwich, cottage cheese with canned fruit, cheese, and crackers.
• A small glass of apple juice or other fruit juice when you wake up may restore blood sugar levels and relieve nausea.
• Limit coffee because it also stimulates acid secretion.  Even the smell of coffee can have this effect.
• Stop smoking.  Smoking increases secretion of stomach acid, which can cause nausea.
• Listen to your body; do whatever seems to work for you.

Heartburn

Heartburn occurs when your sphincter, which separates the stomach and the esophagus, stretches.  This allows the contents of your stomach to flow upward and a burning sensation occurs.

• Relax and eat slowly.
• Avoid cigarette smoking
• Do not overeat at any meal; eat several small meals instead.
• Avoid fatty foods, peppermint, spearmint, and chocolate.  These prevent the sphincter from contracting because they decrease pressure on the lower esophagus and therefore cause more heartburn.
• Avoid coffee (both regular and decaffeinated), alcohol, and citrus fruits.  These make the content of the stomach more acidic, therefore causing more irritation.
• Avoid carbonated beverages.  These can cause discomfort for some people.
• Avoid onions; they often promote gastric reflux.
• Avoid highly seasoned, spicy, rich, and fried foods.
• If you know a specific food bothers you, avoid it until after you deliver.
• Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes without belts.
• Do not lie down flat after you eat.  If you wish to rest, prop your back and head on pillows.  Walk around to encourage the gastric juices to flow down, not up.  Research shows you should wait at least 2 hours after eating before lying down.

Never take antacids without a doctor’s specific direction to do so.  In pregnancy, a suggestion or prescription may be given for a medication containing aluminum hydroxide gel, magnesium trisilicate, or magnesium hydroxide.  Do not take medications containing sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), which prevents absorption of important vitamins and minerals.  Some (such as Alka-Seltzer) have large amounts of sodium that may promote fluid retention in your body tissues (edema).

Constipation/Frequent Urination

The best treatment for constipation is prevention!!

• Constipation can be reduced by drinking plenty of liquids -- at least8 (8 ounces) or 4 (16 ounces) glasses a day.
• Eat high-fiber foods (dried and fresh fruits, bran cereals, whole grains, raw vegetables) that help hold water in the stool.
• Eat prunes or figs or drink prune juice.  These fruits contain a natural laxative.

Not much can be done to eliminate frequent urination.  Drinking less fluid during the evening hours may allow you to sleep longer through the night.  While resting, especially during the later stages of pregnancy, lie on the left side so that the uterus is not pressing on blood vessels to the kidneys and inhibiting kidneys from working properly.

Hemorrhoids

It is best to prevent the problem by avoiding constipation and straining during elimination.  If hemorrhoids do occur:

• Apply ice packs to affected area.
• Itching and burning may be relieved by topical ointments (such as petroleum jelly) that coat the inflamed tissue.  Ask your physician to recommend a suppository that is safe for you to use.

Information about dietary suggestions/weight gain and eating concerns during pregnancy prepared by the Food and Nutrition Services at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

Peer Review Status: Internally
Peer Review Date: 2004