Morning sickness during pregnancy is a common and challenging condition for many pregnant women in India. It can be identified by symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and tiredness that can greatly impact women’s lives during early pregnancy.
Numerous studies show that over 70% of Indian pregnant women experience some type of morning sickness in the first trimester of pregnancy. With its widespread prevalence, nutritional support becomes important not only to care for the growing baby but also to support the mother’s good health.
This is where a pregnancy supplement is needed. It not only meets nutritional gaps but also provides vitamins to reduce nausea in pregnancy and maintain overall wellbeing of the mother and baby.
Understanding Morning Sickness
Morning sickness does not occur only in the morning. It can occur anytime of day and varies from mild nausea to severe vomiting. Common symptoms of morning sickness include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Sensitivity to smell and taste
- Fatigue and general weakness
It generally starts between the 6th and 8th week of pregnancy and often subsides by the 16th week. However, for some Indian women, it can continue well into the second trimester and more.
Reasons for Morning Sickness
The real cause remains unknown, but some reasons can be –
- Hormonal changes, especially increased levels of hCG(human chorionic gonadotropin), estrogen and progesterone.
- Increased sense of smell with some odours, feeling overwhelming
- Low blood sugar, a common condition during early pregnancy
- Genetic predisposition and family history
- Changes in the gastrointestinal tract and stress
How do prenatal vitamins help manage morning sickness?
Many pregnant mothers have asked questions- ‘Are prenatal vitamins safe during morning sickness?’ or ‘Which nutrient is good for nausea during pregnancy’?
Let’s examine how they benefit-
- Key Nutrients in Prenatal Vitamins That help to Relieve symptoms
Prenatal pregnancy vitamins are specifically designed to meet the enhanced nutritional needs of a pregnant woman. Certain nutrients may help to reduce the severity of morning sickness during pregnancy.
- Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
Vitamin B6 for morning sickness is a game changer for managing nausea. According to some clinical research, a daily dose of 10-25mg may effectively cut down nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. Many Indian brands of prenatal vitamins for pregnancy include vitamin B6 in adequate dosage to provide relief.
- Folic acid
Aside from preventingd neural tube defects, folic acid in pregnancy is associated with mood, energy and appetite. It reduces fatigue and nausea indirectly by promoting enhanced nutrient intake and foetal growth.
- Iron
Iron is essential to prevent anaemia and maintains energy and blood supply to foetus. Yet, excessive doses of iron can make nausea worse, so choose those gentle prenatal vitamins that don’t cause nausea and use low -iron or slow-release formulations.
Other nutrients
- Zinc and iodine: Enhance immune function and hormone balance
- Vitamin D and calcium: Support bone health and mood stability.
- Omega-3 fatty acids: Support foetal brain development and reduce inflammation
- Vitamin C: Enhances iron absorption and helps fight fatigue.
Together, these nutrients lead to a better sense of well-being, helping pregnant women to effectively manage the discomforts of early pregnancy .
How prenatal vitamins support pregnant mothers with morning sickness?
Most pregnant women struggle to maintain a balanced diet because of nausea and aversion to food. Prenatal vitamins for pregnancy serve as a safety net by:
- Filling nutritional gaps where food consumption is low
- Providing proper foetal development despite reduced appetite
- Increasing energy levels and reducing fatigue
- Providing digestive health and metabolism
Some Indian brands of prenatal vitamins for pregnancy add ginger extract, a natural remedy for morning sickness that works or use time release iron to be gentle on stomach. These adjustments are adopted considering the common Indian diet and sensitivity levels.
Risk for Prenatal Vitamins to Worsen Symptoms
Although prenatal vitamins are designed to help, few women may experience gastrointestinal disorders or increased nausea due to certain formulas. Here’s why:
- Intake of high doses of iron, iodine and chlorine can increase constipation and nausea.
- Sizes of tablet makes a difference, pills that are too big can be difficult to swallow and digest.
- Some women are particularly sensitive to the fillers or coatings used in tablets.
To counter this, doctors recommend split-dose formulas, chewable or gummy prenatal tablets. Choosing gentle prenatal vitamins that don’t cause nausea can significantly improve compliance.
Morning Sickness- Tips for Indian Pregnant Women
If you are thinking how to reduce morning sickness or how to deal with pregnancy vomiting, here are some practical tips, especially suited for Indian women:
- Take prenatal vitamins with food or at bedtime, when nausea is usually lower.
- Choose prenatal vitamins formulated for Indian needs, aligned with ICMR and WHO standards.
- Maintain small, frequent meals during the day to avoid an empty stomach.
- Avoid pungent odours and spices that trigger nausea in Indian food (e.g. garlic, fried foods)
- Try natural pregnancy nausea remedies such as sucking on lemon candies or using aroma therapy.
- Following morning sickness tips for Indian pregnant women can help alleviate symptoms in conjunction with supplementation.
When to Go to the Doctor?
Occasionally, symptoms are more than usual morning sickness and can require treatment. You should go see your doctor if:
- Frequent or intense vomiting (may be hyperemesis gravidarum)
- You experience dehydration symptoms such as dark-coloured urine, dizziness, or a parched mouth
- You cannot retain prenatal vitamins or have any component allergy
- There are issues regarding nutritional deficits or weight loss
- In this case, your doctor might recommend intravenous fluids, anti-emetic medication, or other prenatal supplements.
How does Trimacare help manage morning sickness during pregnancy?
Although nausea can be managed with pregnancy nausea remedies, severe cases can be effectively treated with prenatal tablets.
These prenatal vitamins provide essential nutrients like folic acid, calcium and iron, which may be difficult to obtain due to frequent nausea and vomiting. However, some prenatal vitamins can exacerbate morning sickness symptoms due to their size or iron content.
Trimacare prenatal multivitamin feature an anti-emetic combination that helps prevent morning sickness throughout pregnancy. Trimacare prenatal pill not only provides over 20 essential nutrients in a single dose but also alleviates uncomfortable pregnancy symptoms.
Trimacare pregnancy supplements address your prenatal nutritional needs, while the anti-emetic combination, along with Vitamin B6, helps reduce morning sickness. The unique formulation of Trimacare prenatal tablets effectively helps prevent morning sickness during pregnancy. Trimacare prenatal tablet not only provide 20 essential nutrients in a single dose but also alleviates uncomfortable pregnancy symptoms.
FAQs
1. When should Indian women start taking prenatal vitamins?
Indian pregnant women should start taking prenatal vitamins as soon as they find out about their pregnancy and take a folic acid supplement one month before conception. Early intake of pregnancy supplements ensures the body is well-prepared to support fetal development from the very beginning. This also helps in minimising symptoms like morning sickness, fatigue, and nutritional deficiencies.
2. Does folic acid help with morning sickness in pregnancy?
While folic acid is mainly known for preventing neural tube defects, some studies suggest that it may also help reduce morning sickness in pregnant women by supporting overall metabolic function and reducing fatigue. Therefore, folic acid can help with morning sickness in pregnancy, especially when combined with other essential nutrients.
3. What is the best time to take prenatal vitamins to avoid nausea?
The best time to take prenatal vitamins to avoid nausea is either with food or before going to bed. Many Indian women find that taking them at night helps reduce queasiness. Avoid taking pregnancy pills on an empty stomach, as this can worsen nausea in pregnancy.
4. How do prenatal vitamins help with morning sickness in Indian women?
Prenatal vitamins help Indian women deal with morning sickness by providing vital nutrients like Vitamin B6, folic acid, and iron that support energy levels, reduce nausea, and ensure fetal growth even when their appetite is low. Many prenatal vitamins in India are designed with gentle ingredients and ginger extracts to specifically combat nausea caused by Indian dietary habits and lifestyle.
5. What are the other benefits of prenatal vitamins along managing morning sickness?
Beyond Managing nausea and vomiting, the benefits of prenatal vitamins include supporting fetal brain and spine development, preventing maternal anemia, improving immunity, and maintaining overall maternal health. They also ensure that mother and baby receive adequate micronutrients even when the mother’s food intake is less due to morning sickness.
A Certified Nutritionist with a rich healthcare background in health journalism, the author has immense experience in curating reader-friendly, engaging, and informative healthcare blogs to empower readers to make informed pregnancy-related decisions.