Useful Nausea: Why is toxicosis of pregnancy useful?
Toxemia of pregnancy is a condition that is often accompanied by nausea and vomiting in the early stages of pregnancy. This can be a very difficult time for many women, but as it turns out, nausea and vomiting actually have a deep biological meaning. They are useful for protecting the body of the mother and her unborn child from dangerous microorganisms and toxic substances.
Cornell University neurobiology professor Paul SHERMAN said the term "toxicosis" is not entirely accurate. Although nausea and vomiting are distressing, it is a normal part of pregnancy and helps protect the mother's body and her unborn baby from microorganisms and toxic substances. This saves the fetus from damage and protects the mother from miscarriage.
Many studies support this hypothesis. Nine independent studies involving 20,000 pregnant women found that those who suffered from nausea were much less likely to have miscarriages than those who had a pregnancy without severe nausea. Thus, suffering is compensated by a successful outcome.
Nausea and vomiting usually occur in the early stages of pregnancy, when the fetus's major organ systems are developing and the pregnant woman's immune system is taxed. Two opposing desires are fighting in the body - to reject the fetus as a foreign body and at the same time to retain it. Consequently, a woman’s body becomes too susceptible to all kinds of dangerous microbes, parasites and poisons that may be contained in food, and its only way of fighting is to try to throw them out of itself.
There are several points of view on the origin of nausea. Some scientists believe that this is a way to protect the fetus from food poisons contained in some foods. However, most studies indicate that meat, game, fish and eggs are the main sources of danger. It is not surprising that pregnant women are the first to develop an aversion to meat.
Many pregnant women suffering from nausea prefer light foods such as bread, chicken and fruit. This may be due to the fact that such foods are easier for the body to digest and are less likely to contain dangerous microorganisms and toxic substances.
In general, nausea and vomiting in pregnancy are normal physiological manifestations and should subside by 12-14 weeks of pregnancy. However, in some cases they can lead to serious complications such as dehydration, malnutrition and even hospitalization. Therefore, if a pregnant woman suffers from severe nausea, she should consult a doctor to evaluate the condition and prescribe appropriate treatment.