Pregnancy can be a wonderful time in a woman’s life filled with excitement and great expectations but labor can be another story altogether. Yes, labor can be uncomfortable to say the least. One labor affliction many women must deal with is nausea and sometimes even vomiting.
Many things can cause nausea during labor. Nausea is fairly common during the early stages of labor and is usually just a normal part of the body preparing to give birth. Tension, stress, fear and anxiety may also cause stomach upset during labor, especially in early labor and most especially in first time mothers. There are, however, a few things you can try in order to ease the discomfort of nausea during labor. If possible, taking a walk can sometimes ease nausea as can having someone gently massage or rub your back. Taking a warm bath or shower can also sometimes help. If nausea seems to be linked to your level of fear or anxiety reminding yourself that your body knows how to have a baby, even if you don’t, and that the doctors and nurses are there to take care of you may ease your fears and, therefore, your nausea.
In the mid to latter stages of labor nausea may be caused by certain drugs administered at the hospital. Prepidil and Pitocin are two common drugs sometimes give to encourage contractions under certain circumstances. Demerol is a pain reliever often administered intravenously. All of these medications can cause nausea in some women. Other causes of nausea during labor can be caused by the pain of labor contractions as some people naturally respond to pain with stomach upset. Muscle tension can also cause nausea as can, less commonly, dehydration. Women are frequently restricted from eating or drinking during active labor and this practice can sometimes result in dehydration which, in turn, can cause nausea. Muscle tension and pain can be relieved sometimes by changing positions so make yourself as comfortable as possible during labor.
Another less common cause of nausea during labor is anemia. Though not overly common, anemia (low iron in the blood) does sometimes occur during pregnancy and can cause nausea. This condition needs to be monitored by your doctor. Eating during or right before labor, may also contribute to stomach upset during labor. Avoiding heavy, greasy foods as your time draws near can prevent nausea caused by foods.
If your nausea seems to be caused by your reaction to pain then don’t be shy about asking for pain relief. Remember to take deep, slow breaths as this will increase your oxygen intake and will help alleviate nausea. Be sure to educate yourself about what to expect during labor as the fear of the unknown can be very disturbing to you and your stomach. Remember, your body knows how to have a baby, even if you don’t.
