Let us know about Loss of appetite during pregnancy. Pregnancy is a challenging time for a woman. Right after getting pregnant, many changes start happening in your body, which you may not notice in the first two to three months. This article discusses the problem of loss of appetite during pregnancy, which is faced by most of the pregnant women. Due to not eating properly, you and your baby do not get enough nutrition.
During this time, it is possible that the food which used to be your favorite, you may not be able to eat it now. The diet you consume is very important for the healthy development of the baby and hence you are advised to have a healthy diet during pregnancy, but if you are not able to eat then how will the baby get nutrition from you? You can get answers to all your questions from this article.
loss of appetite in the first trimester
It may happen that in the first trimester, a pregnant woman’s body may not show any changes from outside, but many changes start taking place inside her body as the baby continues to grow. Along with this, hormonal changes are taking place, due to which you start having problems like morning sickness. In the first trimester, a weight gain of about one pound per week is expected and will be sufficient to meet the needs of the fetus.
What is the reason behind loss of appetite
Morning sickness is the reason for loss of appetite in pregnant women in the early days of pregnancy. Loss of appetite is found in about 70 to 85% of pregnant women at this time. Morning sickness in pregnant women in a way prevents you from consuming foods that are harmful to you. It actually developed as an innate mechanism to protect the tiny embryo. This explains the reason for loss of appetite in the mother in the first trimester. Apart from this, hormones like estrogen and pregnancy hormones like – HCG in a pregnant woman. An increase in blood pressure also reduces appetite. Due to these changes, pregnant women become hypersensitive to the smells around them and this will make them feel more like nausea. For some women, during this time, there is no taste of food, due to which they feel reluctant to eat.
Tips to deal with loss of appetite in first trimester
Although loss of appetite is beneficial in some cases, it may reduce the nutritional needs of the expectant mother. That’s why it is very important to treat it. Some common treatments are as follows:
- Consuming fluids is very important, perhaps even more important than consuming solid foods. A pregnant woman needs about 2 to 2.5 liters of fluid per day from sources like fruits and vegetables.
- Another option is to drink lemon juice mixed with water or you can also take ginger tea. It not only reduces nausea but also provides essential nutrition during pregnancy.
- Instead of eating three large meals a day, you can eat 6 small meals throughout the day. It helps in reducing the symptoms of vomiting and also controls your eating.
- Whenever you feel hungry, eat foods that store proteins and carbohydrates in the body. These substances keep you full for longer and also keep your blood sugar stable throughout.
- The sensitivity to any smell increases in a pregnant woman, so avoid such things whose smell you do not tolerate. For example, instead of fast food chicken, you can substitute chicken with a simple salad.
- Avoid items that you think might make you uncomfortable, no matter how nutritious they look.
- According to your preferences at the moment, you can change your food to suit your mood. It helps settle your stomach a little better.
- Apart from this, keep taking vitamin pills without forgetting, and include it in your daily routine. These vitamins help you make up for any nutritional deficiencies during pregnancy.
loss of appetite in the second trimester
The problem is usually not as severe in the second trimester, as most women find that their appetite starts to return during this period. This phase is referred to as the best period by many pregnant women because of the many benefits you get during this time like better appetite and glowing skin. Apart from this, your stomach has also not come out yet. However, it may not be all that smooth in some cases, as sometimes your stomach is not full enough and you have to make multiple trips to the toilet to have a bowel movement.
What is the reason behind loss of appetite
The second trimester of pregnancy is considered by many women to be the most important period, as major fetal development takes place during this period. Therefore, adequate nutrition is very important for the good health of the foetus. During this phase, you will have to eat for both your health and that of the baby. Lack of appetite in a pregnant woman is not a good thing as it directly affects the development of the baby.
In this phase, there is usually a loss of appetite due to slowing down of the digestive system. This happens because the lower part of your abdomen starts to grow due to the growth of the baby, due to which pressure starts on your uterus, stomach and digestive system. Due to this, problems like constipation arise and your appetite starts decreasing. Apart from this, progesterone levels also increase in pregnant women at this time, which results in constipation and loss of appetite.
Tips to deal with loss of appetite in second trimester
- It can be difficult to continue with the habits formed in the first trimester, but you should stick to them, no matter how difficult they are.
- Instead of taking large meals at one go, you should make a habit of taking small meals several times a day, along with this it is very important to drink more and more fluids and water.
- The amount of calcium should be sufficient for the development of the fetus. Along with this, consume protein and folate, these three constitute the most important vitamins and minerals that a pregnant woman must remember to consume on a daily basis.
- Consuming leafy vegetables helps in curing constipation as well as settles your stomach.
- Omega 3 fatty acids help with fetal brain development, so it’s a good idea to include them along with the rest of your nutritional intake.
loss of appetite in the third trimester
By the third trimester i.e. the last trimester, you will start feeling that your belly is growing a lot and you have entered into a full term pregnancy. However, this does not mean that you can eat whatever you want, as you will find that even though you are hungry, your intake is significantly reduced. The good news is that the nausea usually stops by this time.
What is the reason behind loss of appetite
At this stage of pregnancy, you may lose your appetite due to your growing belly. By this time the uterus has become quite large and leaves little space for the surrounding organs to function. It also affects the placement of your organs and intestines, causing them to not function normally due to the pressure exerted on them. Heartburn is also a side effect and it creates an aversion to spicy or sour foods in you. Due to the increase in progesterone, you remain constipated, which is the main reason for loss of appetite. All these factors together keep you from indulging in the food items of your choice during the third trimester.
Tips to deal with loss of appetite in third trimester
- You should keep eating small meals throughout the day, as this keeps you full and thus provides you with essential nutrients.
- Keep in mind that your diet should be rich in fiber-rich foods, such as bread, avocado and leafy vegetables, etc. It helps you in improving your digestion and reducing problems like constipation.
When to consult a doctor
- Even after following the measures mentioned above, if a pregnant woman experiences a loss of appetite, it could be a sign of dehydration, a sign of low nutrient intake in the baby, or a negative effect on the growth and development of the baby. Maybe in. This definitely suggests that you should visit your gynecologist as soon as possible.
- If you are troubled by persistent dizziness and nausea and are unable to eat food, see a doctor immediately.
Loss of appetite during early pregnancy is more common than is commonly believed. This experience can occur at any time during pregnancy and is usually more frequent within four weeks of conception. You may not be able to eat foods that you used to like a lot earlier. This is due to the many hormonal changes that take place within the female body during pregnancy. Every woman experiences her pregnancy in a different way, in some women a symptom is found more, while in some women it is found very less. Therefore, do not worry on seeing any such symptoms and talk to your doctor. No one understands your body’s needs better than you, so eat the best you can and meet your and your baby’s nutritional needs.
