Help with Nausea and Smell Sensitivity

Updated on April 06, 2009
A.C. asks from Silver Spring, MD
6 answers

Ladies, I am just about 7 weeks pregnant (yeah) with my second child. However, I am just miserable. I can't smell grease, I can't eat anything remotely greasy, my stomach is having difficulty dealing with oatmeal for goodness sake. Thank goodness that I'm not vomiting, but I dont know how to handle this. My first pregnancy I was just fine. I could eat anything, I was happy and it was really fun being pregnant. This time I am absolutely miserable. I can only eat small meals, and those are making me feel funky in the stomach. I just had to flee the kitchen because my husband made an omlete and bacon. When I say flee, I mean running to the farthest part of the house and closing the door. He couldn't come it because he smelled of egg and bacon.

This is ridiculous. I'm not a really sick person, so I don't really know how to handle being sick. I also have to go back to worki in a minute(i'm onspring break), and I'm not sure how to handle this and deal with students. I'm very tired, I can't eat anything, I'm trying not to let people know about this until around the 12 week mark, but..... I need help. Sorry for ranting a little and thanks for reading and "listening". Any ways to help I would really appreciate!
A.

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N.W.

answers from Washington DC on

try crackers even if it's first thing in the morning to help your stomach. I feel your pain I went through the exact same thing when I carried my last.Small amounts of food and drink and just know that it will eventually go away probably when you get approximately 3 months along.

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I.G.

answers from Washington DC on

A., I will tell you what worked for me. I have 3 kids. The first two boys, no problem with the pregnancies. The third, a girl, I was sick to my stomach from week six to week 16. There is a light at the end of the tunnel! I found out about ginger candies. Somehow ginger has a property that helps to settle the stomach. Go online and plug in the words "ginger candy". I ordered mine through the internet, and I was very thankful. You will just have to deal with the fatigue. Go to bed earlier than usual; try to take a nap during the day. I know it's hard when you're working, but where there's a will, there's a way. Best wishes!....I.

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L.R.

answers from Washington DC on

A., I really feel for you! First, if this persists, don't hesitate to see your doctor; while it's very common to have nausea and smell sensitivities in pregnancy, if you start to feel it's out of hand, don't be afraid to ask the doctor about it. But it's likely this will pass; the question is how long it'll last-- some women feel this way for a long time, others, just a few weeks. For me what helped was getting a blender and pretty much living on healthy shakes for a while; I could tolerate creamy shakes when even the thought of solid food turned me off. I blended bananas (potassium, natural sugars), frozen blueberries (loads of antioxidants), yogurt (calcium, protein, good bacteria), etc. You can add wheat germ for B vitamins and folate, or other fruits or soy milk or even soft tofu, etc. If you dont' like tofu, remember, the taste will be disguised by any fruits you put in. If all those ingredients also make you feel sick, stick with the tiny meals if that's what you can hold down. Also, try carrying a cotton swab soaked in a scent you like and can tolerate, maybe your favorite cologne if that doesn't nauseate you right now, sealed in a small container; if you're at work and walking past the cafeteria etc. suddenly sickens you, try pulling out your container and having a sniff of your "positive" scent. Good luck!

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L.M.

answers from Washington DC on

A.,
As a childbirth educator and birth doula I do hear this from my client's on occasion. Someone mentioned ginger, and that can help. Squeezing lemon into your water is also a helpful thing.You can also use anti- nausea bands that fit on your wrists. Your body is trying to give you very clear messages. The best way to help with the smell aversion and nausea is to visit an acupuncturist. I can refer you to practitioners in Silver Spring or in DC that work with pregnant women. My clients that use acupuncture have great relief. Please feel free to contact me if you'd like referals.
Good luck.
L. M.
Birthbliss
HypnoBirthing Childbirth Education and birth doula services for women in MD,DC and Northern VA

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K.H.

answers from Washington DC on

Don't fret, just listen to your body, eat what looks good to you. I was the same way with my first. I couldn't stand meat or anything remotly greasy. Just go browse through the supermarket and whatever looks good and yummy get it and try it. I ate fruit with my first daughter, all the time. Your body will tell you what it needs. I remember my husband brought roast beef home one day and I made him give it to the neighbor it smelled so bad to me to even have it in the house.

Eat whatever you want for breakfast, even if it's pasta, or eggs for dinner, your body doesn't care when you eat eggs or pasta it just needs the nutrients, think outside the box here. Whether you eat eggs for breakfast, lunch or dinner, it doesn't matter, protein is protein no matter what time of day.
Eat really small meals throughout the day, this really helps. Also drink some mint tea, this helps with nausea.

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J.G.

answers from Washington DC on

A.,
I feel for you!! A friend was miserable until she told her doctor how sick she was. He prescribed a medication and she is living again and wishes she had the medication for her other 2 pregnancies. Ask your doctor. Number 3 pregnancy kicked my tail with being nauseous and tired. I hope you get some good suggestions on here that help.
Congratulations.

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