Losing Appetite During Pregnancy – 7 Causes and Treatment

Monitoringclub.org | Losing Appetite During Pregnancy – One of the health problems that are commonly experienced by pregnant women is loss of appetite ^[1].

Even if what is in front of her is her favorite food, often pregnant women are not interested in eating it.

Not all pregnant women experience this, but it is still important to know the possible causes and how to treat them.

Losing Appetite During Pregnancy Causes and Treatment

1. Stress

Hormonal changes during pregnancy can be one of the increased risks of a woman experiencing stress ^[3].

When stress and anxiety are experienced, there are times when pregnant women feel no appetite ^[3].

Not only loss of appetite, stress can also exacerbate several other health problems during pregnancy ^[3].

Handling: Pregnant women need to control or manage stress in ways that are good and safe for the fetus ^[4].

There’s nothing wrong with exercising, taking time to relax yourself, or consulting a doctor ^[4].

Do fun things for pregnant women so that stress levels subside and appetite returns to normal ^[4].

2. Certain Diseases

Certain medical condition is one of the Losing Appetite During Pregnancy causes. Loss of appetite during pregnancy can also be caused by certain medical conditions.

Heartburn or heartburn that arises due to having digestive disorders in the stomach can be a factor ^[5].

Besides heartburn, Addison’s disease, tumors and delays in the process of gastric emptying also have the potential to be one of the reasons, pregnant women experience loss of appetite ^[5,6,7].

Handling : Because you are pregnant, pregnant women should not take medicine carelessly.

Consult with your doctor about your symptoms and medical history.

Consumption of drugs independently, both chemical and herbal drugs can be bad for the fetus.

Get checked immediately and make sure the cause is in order to get the most appropriate and safe treatment.

3. Deficiency of Certain Nutrients

In some pregnant women, a deficiency in certain nutrients such as iron and vitamin B12 could be the reason behind loss of appetite ^[8,9,10].

Handling : Consult your doctor immediately about signs of deficiency vitamin or certain minerals.

Avoid taking supplements without a prescription, permission and monitoring of a doctor.

If you feel the need to take supplements, ask your doctor so that the doctor can prescribe or at least suggest the best supplements at the most appropriate dosage.

More about pregnancy: Can I Drink Protein Shakes While Pregnant? – Facts and Risks

4. Nausea and Vomiting

Nausea and vomiting is one of the Losing Appetite During Pregnancy causes. Nausea accompanied by vomiting is a natural condition in early pregnancy or the first trimester ^[1].

Often the loss of appetite in pregnant women is caused mainly by this feeling of nausea and vomiting ^[1].

A study proves that the hormone leptin in the body of pregnant women along with hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) triggers nausea as well as decreased appetite ^[11].

Another study showed that 42% and 70% of 2,270 pregnant women who experienced moderate to severe nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy had to reduce their food intake. ^[12].

Handling: Avoid foods with a sharp aroma, spicy taste and high fat content ^[13].

Eating small portions, but often will be better than eating a lot ^[13].

Even though it’s a bit difficult to eat, make sure the body still gets enough fluids ^[13].

But before drinking any herbal drink, consult your doctor first to be safe.

Even to take vitamins to increase appetite, this must be with a doctor’s prescription and permission.

5. Eating Disorders

Lack of appetite is also a potential symptom of eating disorders, such as bulimia or anorexia where both are very likely to be experienced even by pregnant women ^[14].

Usually, bulimia or anorexia is based on a fear of gaining weight ^[15,16].

Handling : Immediately consult a doctor if you have a history of one of these eating disorders before becoming pregnant.

6. Effects of Certain Drugs

The next causes of Losing Appetite During Pregnancy are effects of certain drugs. Pregnant women who have been taking certain drugs, especially SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) will experience a decrease in appetite ^[17,18,19].

In addition to SSRIs, which are depression medications, users of buprenorphine and olanzapine also have side effects on decreased appetite ^[20,21].

Handling: If the use of certain drugs causes loss of appetite during pregnancy, immediately ask your doctor about alternative drug solutions.

Avoid stopping the use of drugs or substituting drugs without consulting a doctor first.

7. Depression

At a more severe level than stress, pregnant women are at risk of experiencing depression, which affects their appetite ^[1].

Mental health disorders are quite prone to occur in pregnant women due to hormonal and physical changes that are often difficult for them to accept ^[22,23].

A study results show that 51% of 94 pregnant women experience depression with a bad diet because they have no appetite ^[24].

After 6 months, the percentage increased to 71% in depressed pregnant women ^[24].

Not all pregnant women who experience depression will lose their appetite, because some others may actually experience an increase in appetite.

Handling : The risk of depression has the potential to increase because the body of pregnant women lacks certain nutrients; then always fulfill the body’s needs for folate, fatty acids, zinc / zinc, and iron ^[25].

Fatty acids is one of Healthy Foods for Pregnancy You Must Try.

Don’t hesitate to come to professionals such as psychologists or psychiatrists for further treatment.

When a decrease or loss of appetite occurs repeatedly and for more than 1-2 days, go to the doctor immediately so that it can be treated immediately and does not endanger the condition of the pregnancy.