We’ve often painted a picture of pregnant mothers who have appetites beyond what’s normal. They are popularly described as constantly being hungrier than other people, and have absurd cravings for all sorts of foods.
So, if a woman who has been ‘fed’ with all these assumptions get pregnant for the first time, chances are she might be utterly surprised to find that not only the opposite has occurred to her, but also that it’s completely normal to experience a dramatic loss of appetite now and then!
Pregnancy is, any way you look at it, a cause for rejoicing. For a woman, surely nothing comes close to the ability to be able to conceive and carry a child within her and safely deliver that child into the world. Also, it’s about the only time in a grown woman’s life where she feels like it’s perfectly alright to gorge on any food she fancies, for, after all, she is eating not only for herself but for the baby that’s growing and developing inside her as well. In reality, these all come to a halt when suddenly, she finds herself unable to stomach anything, not even foods that used to be her absolute favourites before.
So, what then?
Loss of appetite during the 1st trimester
Let’s concentrate on this important phase of the pregnancy, for it’s the most important one. If things go wrong during this 1st trimester, the whole pregnancy may be compromised, for both the mom and her baby. While the first trimester may not cause any changes in your outward appearance as an expecting mother, the foundation for the growth of the child is being laid within the body. Hormonal changes are taking place, and they are known to result in the dreaded morning sickness phenomena in the pregnant mother. On the bright side, however, during this first trimester, the expected weight gain is around one pound per week, whereby that will be enough to support the small needs of the foetus.
Morning sickness, as we know it, is the result of an increase of hormones in the pregnant mother, including hormones like oestrogen and the pregnancy hormone, hCG. These not only contribute to the loss of appetite, but they may also make the mother increasingly sensitive to the smells around her. She may end up more susceptible to bouts of nausea. In some women, it also causes a loss of taste, with a metallic taste enveloping the whole of the tongue, resulting in an aversion to certain foods, even foods that she feels she wants to eat. It can get frustrating.
The situation may be bad, but…
No matter how bad it gets, you’ll still have to do your best to see to your nutritional needs. Keep the following in mind:
- Stay hydrated always. However much you can or cannot eat, remember that your liquid intake is significant, perhaps even more than consuming solid food. You’ll need around 80 ounces of liquid per day, from sources like fruits and vegetables. Tip: Try mixing warm water with lemon, ginger, or ginger tea; this can not only reduce nausea but also provide the nutrition required during the pregnancy.
- Spread out your meals. Instead of consuming three large meals per day, you can opt to have six small meals spread out across the time you are awake. This helps reduce the symptoms of vomiting and also keeps your intake in check.
- Make the most of your appetite. In times you do feel hungry, stock up on proteins and carbs. These items keep you full for a longer time and also keep your blood sugar stable throughout.
- The sense of smell in mothers is heightened, so you would do well to avoid items that have a strong smell. For example, instead of having fast-food chicken, you can instead opt for chicken with a simple salad.
- There’s more than one way to a healthy pregnancy. Every food choice has an alternative. If you’re looking to up your vitamin C and can’t stomach oranges, then go for berries instead – you get the picture. There is no point in forcing yourself to eat anything uncomfortable for you when there are other choices that are just as healthy.
- Cold soup? If it’s what you want, then why not? According to your preferences at the time, you can change the temperature of your food to suit your mood. This can help your stomach them a little better.
- Also, remember to take your vitamin tablets without any breaks. This has to be routine, akin to brushing teeth in the morning. Vitamins can help you gloss over any gaps in nutritional intake, during pregnancy.
Poor appetite in the second trimester
Usually, once a pregnant woman hits the 4-month mark, she’ll find marked improvements in her mood as well as her appetite. This time is widely regarded as the best period of pregnancy, with all the extras to boot, such as a delightfully ravenous appetite and glowing skin. In many women, the baby bump may hardly even be visible still! However, don’t jump for joy just yet, for it might not be all smooth sailing. In some cases, as you may even find yourself, it may still be a struggle to stomach wholesome foods, and you may still find yourself running to the loo to throw up.
If you’re pregnant, it’ll serve you well to know that some major development of the foetus takes place during the second trimester. Therefore, adequate nutritional intake is a must, for the health of the foetus. It is during this period that you have to eat for two, considering the health of the child. Loss of appetite in mothers is not ideal, as the development of the baby may be directly affected by it.
What causes loss of appetite during this time?
A series of events taking place inside a pregnant woman’s body is responsible for this, although not all women are prone to them. You’ll find in the end that it may still depend on certain habits that you may or may not have, like staying well-hydrated at all times, for instance. For most women, loss of appetite during the second trimester usually occurs due to the slowing down of the digestive system. With the uterus becoming increasingly larger in the lower abdomen region, it exerts pressure on the stomach and digestive system. This not only leads to constipation but also a loss of appetite. Progesterone levels in the mother also increase during this time, which makes her even more vulnerable to constipation and not having the appetite to eat.
Ways to keep healthy
- Drinking water remains as crucial as ever, along with the practice of keeping with small meals instead of large ones. These may help curb constipation, or at the very least, lessen the chances of having poor bowel movements.
- Ensure you’re getting enough calcium, protein, and folate. While eating a well-balanced diet will help deliver all the important nutrients you need, these three are an absolute must that you cannot afford to miss, daily, for they are needed to support the healthy development of the foetus during this period.
- Mind your fibre intake. Leafy vegetables are not just high in fibre which can help ease constipation and settle your stomach well, but they also provide you with a whole spectrum of other important nutrients as well, including much-needed folate!
- Omega 3 fatty acids. This nutrient can help improve your mood, and hence, your appetite too may follow suit. It’s also important for the healthy development of your baby’s brain, so it is an excellent addition to your existing nutritional intake.
Third-trimester appetite woes
By the third trimester, a stereotypical pregnant woman would be one with a growing belly and a ravenous appetite. However, this may not apply to all pregnant women, for you may find that even during the last stages of pregnancy, your appetite may still not live up to your expectations. It can be frustrating, if anything, to feel the need to eat and yet have a poor appetite to do so.
It’s your rapidly growing belly that’s to blame for this loss of appetite. The uterus has grown large by this time and leaves very little space for the adjacent organs to function. Organs like the stomach and small intestine are pushed out of their normal place and do not function normally, as a result.
Heartburn is another side effect of this displacement, and it gives you a sense of a version of spicy or citrusy food items. Progesterone-Induced constipation may still be present and also contributes to the loss of appetite. It is a combination of all these factors which makes the mother incapable of filling up to her heart’s content, during the third trimester.
Two simple yet effective remedial steps
- Small meals should be continued with, as they help you stay full and get your fill of the required nutrients.
- Load up on food items rich in fibre, like bread, avocado, and leafy greens, for they help you improve digestion, and reduce the feeling of constipation.
Should you visit your doctor?
If you’ve tried everything, including all the steps mentioned in this article, and you still find it difficult to eat anything, especially wholesome foods, there is a high chance that it may lead to dehydration, fewer nutrients for the baby, or even negative effects in the growth and development of the baby. This warrants a visit to your doctor as soon as possible.
The most important thing to remember is that there is no harm in getting an external opinion, even if it does not seem warranted. Continued symptoms of light-headedness or inability to retain food may be symptoms of some bigger problem, so visit the doctor if you ever get doubtful!
In conclusion
Loss of appetite during all stages of pregnancy is more common than you think. It can get frustrating, especially when favorite foods that you still crave for, revolt you for some reason as soon as it goes into your mouth. This is due to the many hormonal changes that occur within the body, during the time of pregnancy. Listen to your body and respond to the hunger cues responsibly, and the best you can. The important thing here is to get the nutrition you need for every stage of your pregnancy so that your baby and you can remain healthy!
