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Doctors told why the taste changes during pregnancy. Food addictions of a pregnant woman

Maria Sokolova


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During pregnancy, many expectant mothers suddenly feel that their habitual taste preferences have changed, and that what previously caused disgust begins to attract, and the beloved and familiar - to cause disgust. The same can be said for smells. From time to time, expectant mothers have completely outlandish desires. One of them suddenly seems disgusted with her favorite coffee, and she eagerly rushes to raw meat. Another spoon rakes and sends the coffee grounds into his mouth, nibbling on it with raw potatoes. The third goes to lick the soap. The fourth flies for hamburgers and wings breaded from fast food, and the fifth drinks condensed milk with beer, and chips with baked milk.

What can this speak about, and is it worth fighting with such desires?

Strange desires of pregnant women: reasons

Poll of sociologists: what do you want the most?

Sociologists conducting research in this area were primarily interested in questions about concentration of changes in taste preferences and the appearance in the diet of women of products that have not previously been consumed. According to the results of the survey, it turned out that the most unexpected desires of expectant mothers are plaster, soap and ash from cigarettes. Foods that appeared in the diets included raw onions, hot peppers, licorice, ice, blue cheese, horseradish, raw potatoes, and pickled apples. Thus, all products for which expectant mothers crave are distinguished by a sharp, pronounced taste.

Expert opinion:

A strong desire of the expectant mother to put something unusual in her mouth, as a rule, means signal from the body about the lack of substances and microelements necessary for the baby, which are not present in the usual food in the required amount.

It should be remembered that the use of such, albeit insanely highly desirable, substances such as chalk, plaster or soap, can lead to very negative consequences. They contain harmful impurities. When craving for such items increases, it is worth seeking help from doctors, so that they, in turn, prescribe drugs to replenish the substances necessary for the body.

Strange taste desires of expectant mothers - what do they mean?

There are many reasons provoking the expectant mother to consume certain, previously unused products. And, of course, only a doctor can reveal the true reasons, after being examined for a lack of nutrients and for the presence of certain diseases in the body. Certain taste desires can tell a mother-to-be a lot about her health. Adequate and timely measures taken will help her eliminate health problems and save her baby.

Of course, in this case, we are talking about acute obsessive desires that haunt the expectant mother from day to day. And a desire such as, for example, to eat a slice of cheese in the morning hardly speaks of serious problems in the body.

Progesterone and pregnancy

The main "instigator" of such problems in the body of the expectant mother is the hormone progesterone , actively produced during pregnancy. This hormone contributes to the preservation of the baby in the womb , and the beginning of its production is the moment when the ovum attaches to the uterine wall. The production of progesterone occurs before the thirty-eighth week.

With the onset of hormone production in the body sequential biochemical changes in smells, tastes and even tearfulness of the expectant mother begin ... Progesterone has the function of "adjusting" the program of replenishment of deficient elements ... If there are any, then the pregnant woman instantly receives a signal about this problem in the form of an acute desire for a certain product or substance. The same hormone improves the assimilation of the right foods and is a stimulant of the rejection of unsuitable foods.

The need for sweet and savory in the first trimester

Do you want salty? Unbearably drawn to pickles, chips and fast food? Such a need for the body in the first trimester may be associated with its protective functions.

Toxicosis occurring at the beginning of pregnancy, provokes loss of fluid in the body ... To prevent dehydration, the body requires foods with a high salt content, which help to retain water and maintain water-salt balance.

And here for sweet most often during pregnancy pulls skinny girls ... In this way, nature signals them that it's time to get better and gain the missing pounds. In this case the beginning of pregnancy is accompanied by acute desires for sweet, fatty and starchy foods ... But one should not rush to satisfy the whims of the body. Sugary foods cause both a sharp drop and a rapid rise in blood sugar. And for this reason, before pouncing on the cake counter, it is worth considering foods that are high in protein (such as eggs and meat). But with regard to sweets: it is better to choose a product that is not absorbed too quickly and charges the body with the necessary energy. For example, muesli.

Taste preferences and psychology

The psychological reason for the "whims" of a pregnant woman is a sign for a man and a future father. It is possible that with such whims a woman is trying attract his Attention ... Moreover, this does not always happen consciously. Requests - “prepare me something tasty”, “buy me something like that” and “bring me something that I don’t know myself, but really want to” can be caused by an ordinary attention deficit.

The presence of the future father and his participation in the difficult everyday life of the future mother, harmony in the family is the key to a favorable course of pregnancy.

To fulfill or not to fulfill the whims of the expectant mother?

In this case, everything depends on the adequacy of whims and, of course, on the possibilities.

One calls for wild strawberries in February, the other sniffs the exhaust fumes by leaning out of an open car window. It is quite clear that the second option will not benefit the baby, and the first is nothing more than a whim, like snowdrops in the middle of winter.

If the future dad and relatives of a pregnant woman can afford to ride at night in search of a certain type of oranges, meats or papaya with passion fruit, then why not?

Dangerous oddities in the desires of expectant mothers

Quite rare, but, alas, the noted olfactory desires of pregnant women to sniff hairspray, acetone or gasoline vapors should be closely monitored by expectant mothers. It is naturally dangerous to indulge them. It is harmful for both mom and baby. In a situation where such desires become too intrusive, they should certainly be reported to the doctor.

Changes at the neurochemical level in the processes of inhibition and excitation can be the reason for such oddities. It is their body that is, perhaps, trying to put in order, forcing the expectant mother to inhale volatile substances that affect the brain. With the help of medications prescribed by a doctor, you can improve metabolic processes in the brain without indulging in your oddities.

Draws on harmful (alcohol, fatty, etc.) What to do?

First of all, talk to your doctor about your strange taste preferences.

How to Avoid Weird Taste Quirks During Pregnancy:

Reviews:

Yuliya:

In the first trimester, most of all, I was drawn to sausages, fish with mayonnaise and sausage. Now only for sweets. I accidentally dug out a bag of caramels in the nightstand, crackled it without hesitation. 🙂 And I also got hooked on the Picnic with walnuts chocolate bar. It’s a pity, she doesn’t go everywhere. Therefore, you have to take a lot at once. 🙂

Inna:

I remember eating coffee grounds when I was pregnant. Precisely with spoons. I didn’t drink coffee myself, but I ate the bulk of everyone. It's just awful how they looked at me. 🙂 Just gave birth - immediately the desire was gone. And I always wanted chalk. I even grind and ate eggshells. And raw potatoes. I scrape for soup, and once, imperceptibly, a couple of slices. 🙂

Maria:

And I heard that if you are terribly attracted to sweets and, perhaps, problems with the liver and biliary tract. Can . You need to do gymnastics, and everything will be ok. And the desire for meat, more and fatter, is a protein deficiency. And the baby simply needs it, so an urgent need to lean on protein-rich foods. But the most vitamin C is in sauerkraut. 🙂

Irina:

And I constantly sniff sunflower oil. The husband laughs, calls them names like a drug addict. 🙂 And you can't pull me straight by the ears. It also attracts salty, pickled mushrooms and eggplants. From sweet immediately gag reflex. It's time to go and get checked for problems in the body. 🙂

Sofia:

After the third month, my daughter-in-law began cracking jam with fried potatoes, vegetables with a bunch of mayonnaise and ice cream drowned in a jar of jam. 🙂 And my friend constantly licked her lipstick. 🙂

Anastasia:

And with my daughters, fast food has become the main problem. 🙂 As I walk by - that's it! Lost. Fried potatoes, nuggets ... But it turns out, you just need to go to the doctor ... 🙂 And I still want to eat snacks all the time. I pour boiling water over it, I can't even wait until it's brewed up, and I pounce on it. I also leave the green peas there and fill it with mayonnaise. 🙂 The family looks at me with horror, and I enjoy. 🙂

Mila:

With the first child, I really wanted beer and sprat in tomato. It's just unbearable! There is a guy with a bottle, and I’m already drooling - even ask him for a sip. 🙂 And sprat in tomato - in general, cracked boxes. And with the second daughter, there were already more aesthetic desires. The first half just wanted oranges. The poor man's husband would sometimes go after them in the middle of the night. 🙂 And the second half I just chalked everything up. I gained 20 kg during pregnancy (70 kg were given birth). A month after giving birth, she returned to her usual 50 kg. 🙂

If you liked our article and have any thoughts about this, share with us! It is very important for us to know your opinion!

How nice it would be if a woman learned about the first signs of pregnancy almost immediately after conception, and through explicit signals. In reality, the expectant mother has to rely on hormonal changes. And since the characteristics of the female body are individual, then the appearance of the first symptoms of motherhood can be delayed for some time, up to a month.

Many women rely on the absence of menstruation, considering this a special and pleasant bell of a successful conception. In fact, this is not a solid guarantee, since the menstrual cycle for each of the fair sex takes place at a certain and individual frequency. It is also worth remembering that it may take place with a delay.

In any case, it is advisable to know about the characteristic signs of every lady who plans the birth of a child or, conversely, tries to prevent its appearance until better times. But especially about the first signs of pregnancy in the early stages, it is advisable to know all young girls for whom pregnancy occurs for the first time.

Complex diagnostics

The question of determining pregnancy is of concern to every girl, especially young expectant mothers. However, finding an early date is not as easy as it seems at first glance. Signs, of course, are available, they are not so pronounced as to accurately assert that the "patient" is in position. Often, the symptoms of the so-called pregnancy can actually indicate malfunctions of the endocrine glands, diseases on the basis of nerves and an overdose of drugs. Thus, this can mislead not only women themselves, but also doctors.

The first signs of early pregnancy, or female intuition

As we know, there are no absolutely alike people, and each of us has his own personality. According to the stories of some women, they began to feel some changes in themselves within a few hours after conception. Moreover, the ladies not only accurately revealed the fact of motherhood, but were also able to predict the gender of the child. Other women saw corresponding hints in their dreams.

But the overwhelming majority of girls rely little on their own intuition or subconsciousness. They are more likely to believe facts. That is, they monitor their weight, use tests, evaluate their appearance, comparing their real reflection in the mirror with old pictures. Only in the early stages of pregnancy this will not help, because outwardly the woman does not stand out especially: the weight remains, as before, and it is too early for the stomach to appear.

This can also be considered the first sign of pregnancy. As numerous studies show, fertilization of the egg occurs within 12 hours after its release from the ovary. But at the same time, no more than a day should pass, otherwise she dies. Symptoms of pregnancy can be noticed only after the embryo has attached to the wall of the uterus, which usually occurs 7-10 days after ovulation. After that, the hCG hormone begins to be produced, which notifies the female body of the presence of new life.

Moreover, it is constantly increasing. The woman herself does not need this hormone, since it serves as a building material for the future placenta. In this regard, the high content of hCG indicates a successful conception. For this reason, signs of pregnancy are unlikely to be detected on the first day.

And the longer a woman postpones (within reason, of course) passing the test, the clearer and clearer the bar on the indicator will be. As for the test itself, experts recommend that it be carried out starting from the day when there should be menstruation, which is not. However, this can also speak of late menstruation, but the topic of our article is a little about something else.

Yes or no?

There are a number of signs that may indicate pregnancy, but it is impossible to be completely sure of this. These include the following cases:

  • Periodic lack of appetite.
  • The sense of smell has sharpened.
  • Fatigue and irritability are more pronounced than before.
  • Headache.
  • Drowsiness.
  • Increased salivation.
  • Change in blood pressure.

Yes, these first signs of pregnancy in the early stages may indicate pregnancy, however, to be completely sure, when they are detected, you should undergo an examination to establish an accurate diagnosis. In addition, sometimes a woman may feel pain in the bladder area. Mild pain is also felt when urine runs out. This may indicate pregnancy, but it may indicate some kind of inflammatory disease like cystitis. To confirm or deny a terrible diagnosis, it is better to pass urine for analysis. And by the time he is ready, there will be other signs in case of a successful conception.

Signs of pregnancy

A successful conception can sometimes be reflected by external signs, indicating that something is happening inside the female body. After the lucky male reproductive cell (or gamete) has reached its target, the egg begins its movement down to the uterus. This can happen already in the first days, and signs of pregnancy can appear in the form of changes in the well-being of the expectant mother.

After a successful conception, the female reproductive organ needs to properly prepare for bearing a fetus. Therefore, the uterus also undergoes changes: its structure adapts in order to prepare favorable conditions for the development of a new life. In this case, you can feel malaise, pain in the lower abdomen, rectum. These are clear signs of an early pregnancy - up to 7 days.

Let's look at a few more symptoms that may indicate pregnancy. Some of them are explicit, and there are those that only admit the fact of motherhood and therefore need additional confirmation with the help of appropriate research.

Short-term bleeding

We can say that this is one of the very first signs of early pregnancy. A week later, the egg has already reached its destination, found a cozy spot for itself and begins to attach itself to the uterine wall. As a result, the integrity of the uterus is violated, the nearest vessels are destroyed, which provokes a slight bleeding, which is then removed to the outside. This can be confused with menstruation, but the discharge is not so abundant, goes into a gap in the schedule and stops on the second day.

Such discharge is usually called implantation. They usually appear 8-12 days after conception, but they can also be observed after a delay, therefore, they do not always indicate the fact of motherhood. If they are present, it is necessary in any case to be vigilant. If the discharge is profuse, you need to urgently seek medical help, since sometimes this is an alarming sign of a miscarriage.

The presence of another important hormone

Considering the first signs of pregnancy in the early stages, this phenomenon cannot be circumvented. After conception, another hormone is produced, which the child also needs - progesterone. Before conception, it did not exist, and it is with its appearance in the female body that cardinal hormonal changes take place. Often, characteristic symptoms are observed:

  • headache;
  • weakness;
  • temperature increase.

All of this can resemble a cold. Moreover, some of the listed signs may not appear on the first day. And sometimes this may even indicate the approach of menstruation or be a reaction to a stressful situation. For this reason, many girls are in no hurry to visit a doctor.

This can also be regarded as the first sign of pregnancy in the early weeks (1-2). As you know, in the case of a successful conception, hormonal changes occur in a woman's body, and changes occur in a cardinal way. This is well felt by all close people, especially parents and, in fact, the soulmate herself. While a woman herself can do this at all

The character of the expectant mother is changing, and sometimes it can happen unexpectedly for everyone around. Sometimes she can be seized by a rush of rage for no reason, then everyone who is nearby is under attack. From the outside it seems that a woman, however, in reality, she simply is not able to control herself. She perfectly understands the pain she brings to her family, but there is nothing she can do about it. A similar first sign of pregnancy in the early stages (1-2 weeks) may manifest itself earlier than other symptoms. Therefore, relatives should prepare well for future attacks and understand the situation.

New taste preferences

The female body, sensing the birth of a new life in itself, immediately tries to accumulate useful microelements, and the more, the better for the child. This is manifested in the formation of new taste preferences. In other words, a woman can happily eat everything that she could not stand before. This eating behavior can hardly be overlooked. A woman tries to collect everything incompatible in her plate, and any dish seems bland, so she tries to add salt to it. If everything was in her power, the expectant mother would eat a whole jar of pickled cucumbers at a time.

In some women, when the first signs of pregnancy appear, at 1 week or a little later, unexpected addictions appear: an irresistible desire to taste chalk or sand. An increase in appetite and a change in taste habits, one way or another, are the first symptoms of motherhood.

Breast changes

In particular, we are talking about the following manifestations:

  • The nipples begin to darken, their sensitivity increases, and they become softer.
  • The glands themselves swell.
  • The venous network becomes more visible.
  • The circles around the nipples can also darken and grow in size.

During the first months of pregnancy, a woman can be constrained by chest discomfort. In addition, the first sign of pregnancy may be the appearance of Montgomery tubercles - small outgrowths that form on the circumferences of the nipples after successful conception. Outwardly, they resemble warts, inside of which there is a greasy substance. If they are present, a woman should not worry, since the tubercles do not have any effect on the functioning of the mammary glands and do not pose a threat to the mother.

Characteristic external skin sign

There is another external symptom that indicates pregnancy - a skin condition. On its surface, age spots may appear or inflammation may develop. This is due to a change in the hormonal background of the female body. As you can now guess, this process has a significant impact on a woman, so she just needs the support of loved ones, especially her husband.

A sharp fluctuation in hormones leads to the appearance of pigmented "jewelry" on the face, neck and chest. And this can also be regarded as the first sign of early pregnancy. This also applies to the arms and legs, where spider veins can be found, which in their shade resemble hematomas. But women have nothing to worry about, because all these "decorations" disappear as soon as a child is born.

Sebaceous and sweat glands in the course of successful conception begin to work in an enhanced mode, in connection with which the faces of many mothers are additionally decorated with acne. With the arrival of about 12 weeks of pregnancy, a woman can notice a longitudinal pigment strip on her abdomen. You should not worry about this, since these first signs of pregnancy after childbirth also disappear.

Almost every person who is interested in this whole process knows about stretch marks. They appear on the sides and lower abdomen, but somewhere from 20 weeks. And the fuller the mother, the more pronounced they are.

Frequent urge to use the toilet

As a rule, the frequent urge to urinate occurs in a woman late in pregnancy. This is due to the fact that the grown-up child puts some pressure on the bladder and ureter. Nevertheless, a malfunction of the genitourinary system can happen earlier.

This can happen due to the fault of chorionic gonadotropin, a hormone secreted only by pregnant women. It promotes the acceleration of blood circulation in the pelvic organs, which gives a false sensation of an overcrowded bladder. Although in reality there is very little liquid. In the supine position, this is felt especially, and therefore, almost every woman regards it as a sign of pregnancy in the first weeks.

It is worth noting that frequent urge to go to the toilet is not necessarily a sign of impending motherhood, sometimes it is a symptom of some kind of disease of the genitourinary system like cystitis or urethritis. If during urination there is a strong burning sensation, then this is definitely not pregnancy, everything here indicates a disease. Visit your doctor as soon as possible.

Elevated basal temperature

Many women, using basal temperature measurements, determine the onset of the ovulation process. Its increase in the genitals indicates the readiness of the egg for fertilization. But with the help of this, you can still learn about the successful outcome of conception. To do this, a thermometer is placed in the anus, since the temperature of the rectum and genitals is the same. Measurement should be taken early in the morning while still in bed.

It is advisable for each woman to keep her own schedule for measuring basal temperature. After 3-4 months, she will already be able to detect the first sign of pregnancy before her period. This is manifested as follows: 7 days before the onset of menstruation, the temperature indicator, instead of decreasing, remains unchanged, within 37 C °. This is more likely to indicate a successful conception.

Gastrointestinal tract and toxicosis

Or rather, we are talking about his disorder. This is a fairly common phenomenon that most expectant mothers experience. And as medical practice shows, this is 2/3 of all cases of pregnancy. Flatulence and constipation can be considered a characteristic sign of hormonal changes. For such activity, progesterone is responsible, which in the early stages of pregnancy provokes a slowdown in the digestive tract. As a result, constipation occurs.

In addition, a woman in the morning may feel other signs of pregnancy in the early stages in the form of toxicosis, accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Moreover, this condition can be not only in the morning, but also in the evening. And gagging can overtake almost every meal. Although this phenomenon in most cases occurs only during the average period of bearing a child, when he has already grown up and developed enough. However, it is impossible to completely exclude their appearance at an early stage of motherhood. Doctors call this condition early toxicosis.

At the same time, nausea and vomiting do not always indicate pregnancy, sometimes toxicosis occurs with food poisoning. In addition, symptoms may indicate gastritis, enteritis, intestinal or stomach ulcers.

Finally

It is impossible to establish a 100% fact of motherhood using the first signs of pregnancy described in this article, since some of them may indicate the presence of any disease. Although there are those that clearly indicate this. However, for an accurate diagnosis, additional research is required, which will be prescribed only by a doctor after visiting an antenatal clinic.

For a full guarantee, a woman can be assigned an ultrasound scan (ultrasound), which is a reliable method for determining pregnancy. At the same time, if twins are expected, the device is not able to detect this early. This fact can be determined only at the 5th or 6th week, when hearts are formed in the embryos.

Well, a woman's heart is unlikely to fail. In any case, it is best to seek medical attention or, in extreme cases, to do a pregnancy test. So the woman will be calm, and relatives will not worry ahead of time. And in order for the whole process of carrying a child to proceed smoothly, a woman needs to register in a timely manner when the first signs of pregnancy appear. Conception can be fully considered successful when a healthy and full-fledged baby is born.

The influence of hormonal changes in the female body on taste and olfactory preferences during pregnancy - recommendations of an obstetrician-gynecologist.

If a woman complains that she used to love coffee, but now she’s sick from the smell alone, used to go out to smoke every half hour, and now she runs past the smoking room, the first answer to her will be the question: “Darling, are you, by any chance, pregnant?” How do doctors explain such a dramatic change in the perception of smell and taste?

Exotic culinary tastes of expectant mothers and a dramatic change in their tastes have been noticed for a long time. Who has not heard anecdotes about a husband who runs at night almost in pajamas to look for peaches or pickles for his pregnant wife ... A passionate admirer of pickled cucumbers during this period can turn into a notorious sweet tooth, and a lover of chocolates, ice cream and jam will suddenly want to eat everything salty and spicy. According to a survey by food company Cow & Gate, more than 60% of pregnant women have an irresistible attraction to mixing completely incompatible foods. Among them are lemon with salt and pepper, ice cream and chips flavored with mustard, and many other combinations.

"If we talk about smells, then during the entire first trimester I could not stand kitchen smells at all, especially sharp ones, such as the smell of fried onions. And in general, my sense of smell was so exacerbated! .."

"And during pregnancy I became addicted to sniffing ... soap! An ordinary baby, I just want to eat it! And still (my daughter), when I open a new bar of soap, I will definitely lick it a couple of times ..."

"The beginning of my pregnancy happened in late spring - early summer, when everyone opens the vents. The sense of smell has sharpened so much that I could easily tell what dish is being prepared in each apartment - from the first floor to the twelfth."

"I used to like perfumes with heavy floral aromas. And in the first months of pregnancy, I hated them and fell in love with light, fresh scents ..."

Let's try to figure out why and where all these addictions come from. There is no unified and coherent theory on this score. Here are some of the more popular points of view.

Under the sign of progesterone - the dominant of pregnancy

The theory that "blames" all the vagaries of pregnant women on progesterone is the main one (all other theories say in general about the same thing, but in other words).

At the beginning of pregnancy, the so-called dominant pregnancy, which contributes to the readiness to bear and give birth to a child, and also provides a psychological attitude of a woman.

The dominant of pregnancy is a focus of excitation in the brain that occurs in a pregnant woman after the egg is attached to the mucous membrane, due to the constant flow of signals from the uterus to the brain. At the hormonal level, the dominant is supported by an increased production of progesterone.

The hormone progesterone is synthesized by the ovaries, placenta and adrenal cortex. From the moment the ovum is attached to the wall of the uterus, an increased production of progesterone begins, which contributes to the preservation of pregnancy (suppresses the activity of the smooth muscles of the uterus; acting on the central nervous system, supports the formed dominant of pregnancy; stimulates the preparation of the mammary glands and the growth of the uterus; suppresses the reaction of rejection of the ovum). The content of progesterone in the mother's blood increases unevenly, increasing by 2 times, and then gradually rises.

A decrease in the level of progesterone indicates the presence of a pathology of pregnancy and requires replacement therapy; an increase in the level of the hormone indicates the presence of renal failure (a violation of its excretion). The production of progesterone completely stops only with far-reaching changes in the placenta, for example, with.

It is the active elevated level of progesterone that can be attributed to the most fundamental changes during pregnancy, and it is he who triggers a cascade of biochemical changes in the body. He also launches the so-called "search engine" to find the necessary resources of the endocrine and autonomic nervous system 1 in the mother's body to ensure the development of a normal pregnancy. In other words, this hormone determines what is normal and what is in deficit, and builds a "program" in order to eliminate all deficiencies. As a result, the mother's body is given the command to satisfy the deficit, causing the necessary need. For example, with a lack of calcium, there is a desire to eat chalk, with a deficiency of ascorbic and green vegetables, with a lack of B vitamins, a desire to drink beer. At the same time, the search engine makes sure that the woman does not eat anything that will be harmful to her or the child. It is for this that such changes occur in the gastrointestinal tract that facilitate the process of rejection of unsuitable food at the moment and prolong the process of processing suitable food.

1 The autonomic nervous system is the part of the nervous system that is responsible for the functioning of internal organs

Possible failures

However, this is not always the case. In cases where there are latent metabolic disorders in a woman's body, the "search engine" command can be paradoxical, i.e. one that, instead of eliminating the deficit, contributes to its strengthening. The result is a vicious circle. For example, the body lacks iron, and a woman, against the background of severe anemia (a decrease in the amount of hemoglobin), develops a specific metallic taste in her mouth, but at the same time she develops an aversion to meat, although it is the consumption of meat that could at least partially help solve the problem of impaired iron exchange. In such cases, the only way out is vitamin and mineral complexes. Although sometimes they can have disgusting olfactory reactions. Why such a phenomenon arises is still a mystery that still has to be solved by science.

Before that, we talked about addictions that, in general, do not threaten the life of the mother, but in the early stages of pregnancy, some women have a desire to eat inedible foods: chalk, clay, sand, lime, earth. Some are very attracted to the vapors of gasoline, acetone and other volatile substances. Fortunately, such occurrences are rare. Should such addictions be satisfied? Of course, such desires should not be satisfied. And they are called again by the "command" of the same "search engine". If such desires are persistent, it is important to visit a doctor. they are caused by neurochemical changes in the body. Probably, the vapors of such harmful substances somehow affect the work of the brain: the body reacts in this way to the altered balance of the processes of excitation and inhibition. But the expectant mother should in no case satisfy such desires, because harmful couples can have a disfiguring effect on the developing fetus. In such cases, the doctor corrects the situation by prescribing drugs that improve metabolic processes in the brain (glycine, glutamic acid, vitamins).

So, it is the hormonal changes in the body that strongly affect taste preferences (desire for one and disgust for the other). According to world renowned MD Michelle Gleesman, "These eccentric hormones that rush around the body in the first three months of pregnancy cause taste quirks."

Nausea and vomiting - a defensive reaction

Samuel M. Flaxman and Paul Sherman stated that nausea, vomiting, and altered taste habits during pregnancy have a beneficial function: it is a natural mechanism for protecting mother and fetus from food-borne illness, and protecting the fetus from harmful substances that can negatively influence the formation of its organs and tissues. Their findings help explain why many pregnant women initially develop an aversion to meat, certain vegetables and caffeinated beverages, and prefer low-tasting foods. According to Sherman, aversion to food also forms a defense against toxins produced by microorganisms and other teratogenic (causing defects fetal development) substances.

At the same time, in the first three months of pregnancy, the cells of the embryo differentiate and begin to form structures. These developing structures and organ systems — arms, legs, eyes, and the central nervous system — can be adversely affected by teratogenic substances in certain plants during the critical stage of new life formation; their components can have a negative effect on the course of pregnancy: for example, parsley can cause contraction of the uterus, provoke. It is no coincidence that the body of a pregnant woman often refuses spices.

The vagaries of the intuition of a pregnant woman

It is known that the tastes and desires of a pregnant woman change. Nature has provided the expectant mother with the so-called "pregnant food intuition". Modern dietetics, medicine and biology do not have complete information about the absolutely correct nutrition of a pregnant woman. Only the basic principle is known: food should be varied, as healthy as possible and containing a minimum amount of processed and artificial products. In the first trimester of pregnancy, there is an active restructuring of the body and its adaptation to a new state. Now the child expresses his needs through the mother, demanding trace elements, vitamins and nutrients useful for him. Both mom and her family will have to reckon with this by providing the food they crave. However, here, as nowhere else, a reasonable approach is appropriate. Listening to your desires is important, but satisfy them in reasonable amounts.

So, whatever is hidden behind such strange addictions of pregnant women, one must listen to them and sometimes really think about what kind of deficit our "whims" are trying to eliminate. Scientists admit that some cases of taste preference cannot be explained. And in any case - do not force yourself to eat what is considered "good" for you, if you do not feel like it.

What if you really want something harmful and don't feel like doing something useful?

  1. When gustatory and olfactory habits are intimidating, maddening, or preventing you from living a normal daily life, see your doctor.
  2. If you really want something, then bon appetit! But remember about reasonable doses and reasonable needs. For example, if you feel like eating sand, then of course you shouldn't.
  3. Be picky about trying new things. Then you are unlikely to be poisoned with anything or "earn" an allergy. First, try to figure out the composition of such an attractive smelling product.
  4. It is important to always remember that whims or whims are your own business, they should not become a reason for resentment, tears or even depression. Your loved ones are not to blame for not guessing what you wanted for lunch today: try to talk about your passions, discuss them - and there will be more understanding.
  5. A pregnant woman is sometimes difficult to please, so try to treat yourself with humor: it will help the best!

Elena Pechnikova
Obstetrician-genecologist, Moscow

Discussion

And we have 13-14 weeks. Sick of everything. My appetite is gone and I feel bitterness in my mouth. Even the pills stopped helping ((hopefully by the second trimester it will be better

13.10.2018 14:04:02, Nadira

For the first months I had nausea, but without vomiting, I was drawn to meat, I took a half-kilogram piece, cooked it (I really wanted boiled one!) And I had enough to eat 1-2 times. And from the 6th month I became indifferent to meat, in general, but now I am drawn to sweets, the confectionery departments are just torture, I just relaxed - in 4 weeks on marshmallow in chocolate and on bread with jam I gained 3.5 kg, barely stopped, now I'm trying instead of a pastry chef there are bananas and persimmons, I can also eat in tons, though I am afraid of persimmons a lot, it is not very good for the intestines. And also sauerkraut and green tomatoes ... a dream (but my kidneys are dearer to me!)

12/04/2008 21:11:28, Tasha

I'm pregnant for the first time ... I began to read on sites about the needs during pregnancy - who is silk !!! eats, who chews on chalk! It's funny how passionate! I have 7 weeks of craving red fish (and only red) and eat day or a jar of pickles or a tomato while drinking all the pickle! I'm in shock! And my husband is even more!

11/07/2008 20:47:39, Ekaterina

my 9th week has gone =) and now there is almost no appetite ((but you can't go hungry either ... I think for a very long time about what I can eat, but there are not many options at all.
while I am suffering with this. And I often feel sick ... this is my first pregnancy :) but very coveted! ;)

11.10.2008 23:49:03, Valya 09.10.2008 05:27:07, Olga

And from the very beginning of pregnancy, I wanted everything different, but most of all sweet. Now it’s five months already, but I’m still very attracted to sweets, I just can’t, it can be anything, even honey with tea, or just tea with sugar. I dream that I am eating sweets. Once every three months I was so hungry for pickles that, I remember, I ran to the store, and then ate a whole one and a half liter jar in 10 minutes.

09.10.2008 05:26:43, Olga

I have 6 weeks, there is taxicosis, but not strong. it happens that you really want melon, watermelon or sauerkraut :-) with mashed potatoes (salivating), and sometimes even the thought of food turns back! I spoke with the doctor, he advised me to eat fractionally, carry chocolate (glucose) and something sour in my purse. to be honest, it doesn't help much. but the urgent fulfillment of my culinary desires saves not only me, but also my family members from bouts of weakness, nausea, whims, etc. :-))))

09/07/2008 17:40:55, Maria

And in the first trimester I did not want anything, although there was no strong nausea, I ate only driers with tea.
In the second trimester (it was hot) I wanted dried syba. And the caviar from this roach was the most delicious candy!
In the 3rd trimester, I really wanted tangerines and persimmons. Moreover, only the crust was eaten from the tangerines, the zest was given to her husband))) Every evening for the last 3 months I ate a kilogram of both, the husband went from work and bought.

and I'm sick, but not vomiting. I don’t have any special attachments yet, I have 5 weeks. I don’t have much appetite either. in the first pregnancy, I also did not want anything special, only pungent smells irritate

02.02.2007 16:45:13, Nadezhda

From 7 to 16 weeks there was a terrible toxicosis, only cucumbers or canned tomatoes were saved for 20 weeks now, I really want fresh cucumbers and tomatoes. She is indifferent to meat, too, although they say you need to eat.

02.02.2007 09:36:08, Prynston

vrodebi vsyo normalno edinstvennaya problema xochu obsheniya mne podobnim i ne tolko tak ka ya ne na rodine ne znayu kak nayti obshenie da i net v dannoe vremya doma net prixoditsya spuskatsya v net klub.a chya edto kassaetsya derzhat v xolodilnike raznoobraznie veshi

12/22/2006 18:47:47, Patimatzagra

I have a disgust for fried fish. I eat salty with pleasure. I used to like sweets, but now I don't want to. The custard gives off milk powder.

07/04/2006 10:43:05, Natalia

We are 16 weeks old. The first 2 months I felt sick and didn’t eat practically anything, I lost weight. I was admitted to the hospital, where I drank essential oils, vitamins, it became easier. I really wanted meat, fish and cucumbers.

06/30/2006 11:27:24, Tatiana

I am in the eighth week, I eat everything, the taste has hardly changed - I just really want green vinegar barrel tomatoes and sushi

06/28/2006 14:52:38, natalia

I am now 12 weeks pregnant. Toxicosis was terrible. I didn’t eat or drink anything. I was admitted to the hospital. Now I’m eating a little. I’m averse to meat. I stopped painting because everything smells, I don’t drink coffee, although I adored it.

06/25/2006 10:18:26, diana

Comment on the article "Bring that - I don't know what ... taste change during pregnancy"

Conference "Pregnancy and childbirth" "Pregnancy and childbirth". Section: - get-togethers (If the topic has recently been raised, close the topic :) In my last pregnancy, I ate only one nasty thing - pizza, purchased dumplings, butters). Taste preferences.

Discussion

All the time I want something sweet :)))) I would have a chocolate :))) I’ll come off, and then I’ll start feeding - there will be no time for chocolate :)))

For weeks before 12 I ate tons of pickles (classic), now I devour kilograms of sprat, although in 15 years of marriage I have never even bought it. Together with me, the whole family got hooked on sprat, for 3 weeks the children have been demanding only it with potatoes. And for me lafa - boiled potatoes - dinner is ready!

Discussion

Amazing.
Now if he spits his tit right now, then it's time for me to offer him beer with fish? Based on wishes during pregnancy ...

Nevertheless, our son's taste preferences were formed by us, parents :)
As a child, it was a "blank slate", because he ate a very limited range of foods and it was quite difficult to feed him.
And now part of my taste preferences (eats fish, liver and does not eat onions), part of my husband (eats pasta with sugar), part of my own, which we hardly eat. But something from that list that coincides with my husband (and we don't have that many matches at all) does not eat. Raw smoked sausage, lard - he doesn't eat, but we love :)

Taste preferences - I can't uuu !! Consumer tastes vary from region to region. So, in Asia, they prefer drinks with the taste of nuts and beans: they are in demand here We advise you to read: after childbirth, the belly is like a pregnant woman ...

Everyone knows that during pregnancy, women change their tastes in food. Why is this happening? Why suddenly sweet lovers start to "dry" over pickled cucumbers, and those who previously could not live without a cup of coffee in the morning can now start vomiting from the smell of this drink? I suspected that all this was somehow explainable from a physiological point of view, but I had not particularly asked this question before.

One of the myths of pregnancy


I’ll say right away that I don’t want to talk about the perversion of the taste of pregnant women and the sex of the child. Since I think that this is from the area "and it coincided with me." Everyone's tastes are so different, and there are only two sexes))

But I tried to understand the reason for these changes. I did some "research" work and that's what happened.

Refusal from bitter


I don’t know about others, but I couldn’t stand onions for both pregnancies, although normally I love them. It turns out that this is a kind of protective function of the female body, aimed at maintaining pregnancy. The body probably perceives the bitter taste as something poisonous. Perhaps for the same reason, I stopped liking tea and coffee during pregnancy.

When you want salty


And really, when? Usually in the second and third trimester. For me, for example, it was. One of the versions of this desire is an increase in blood volume and, as a result, a lack of sodium. True, I tried, nevertheless, not to abuse salty.

If you want fruit


What I wanted most during both pregnancies was fresh fruits and vegetables. Here, I think, there is nothing to guess - the body's need for vitamins in pregnant women is increased, and the most vitamins are in vegetables and fruits. Also, fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs contain large amounts of folic acid. And she, as you know, is the very first and most important thing that is needed for the normal development of the child and the correct course of pregnancy.

In this regard, I always remember the story of how I stood in line for apples in the distant crisis 90s. The queue consisted entirely of grannies standing for granulated sugar on coupons. And among them I am pregnant, but still without a belly. It seemed to me more difficult to ask the attendants, who were in a fighting mood, to skip the line than to stand in line. Waiting until I finally get closer to the counter, I told the saleswoman what I needed and lost consciousness.

Or the story of my sister: her husband, in the same 90s, bought her, a pregnant woman, a huge cucumber, wrapped in plastic. My sister ate it right on the street, and she did not care that the cucumber was not washed and was bought with the last money.

If you are drawn to sweet


This attraction can be explained by the fact that pregnancy requires a certain amount of energy and the body requires more calories. The main thing here is to understand that the gained kilograms do not always remain in the hospital ...

Perversions of taste


Often pregnant women want something that in ordinary life they would not have thought to eat. For example, herring with milk, chalk or earth. They say that pregnant women should not be denied their wishes. But I, for example, would not take risks. After all, the stomach and intestines of a pregnant woman do not become different, and unpleasant consequences will follow after a herring with milk.

I was lucky: if I wanted anything, it was useful. For example, suddenly I really wanted pearl barley porridge with meat. Usually, neither I nor my family members eat this porridge.

And during my first pregnancy, I was crazy about tomato juice. It’s good that it was sold in half-liter cans and I didn’t manage to “shrug off” them, as did my cousin. After she was overtaken by a terrible vomiting from an excess of tomato juice, she still cannot tolerate this product.

conclusions


I think that a pregnant woman may well control her desires for food. You just need to learn to understand them correctly. If you want chalk, it is likely that your body requires more calcium. When sour cravings, it is possible that the woman has low hemoglobin.

And if you don't want something, then you can try to replace the product. I didn't want meat at all. And when it was required to raise hemoglobin, I stuffed it into myself with difficulty. Then I realized that this blood count can only be improved with iron preparations and stopped tormenting myself with this product.

Have you had perversions of taste during pregnancy?

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If your acquaintance or wife used to drink coffee in the morning, but now she doesn't want to see him, or if she used to run out to smoke every half hour, and now she's sick of the mere mention of a cigarette, the first thing that might come to your mind is whether you are pregnant she! Yes, indeed, it is during pregnancy that abrupt changes in the perception of smells and taste sensations occur. Why does this happen, how does the science of medicine explain it?

Sooner or later, every pregnant woman comes to gastronomic delights and experiments. Either a pregnant woman suddenly begins to ask for pickles, from which she had heartburn, or she eats tons of ordinary school crayons. Such quirks can be easily explained. Indeed, with the onset of pregnancy, the female body undergoes restructuring, both external and internal. And the reason for this is the increased production of hormones. In particular, changes in taste preferences are associated with the hormone progesterone.

During pregnancy, progesterone begins to be produced by the ovaries and the placenta. The maximum activity of progesterone production is reached by the third trimester, and drops sharply a few days before childbirth. At the moment of active synthesis of the hormone progesterone, the taste sensations of a pregnant woman change dramatically.

The hormone progesterone is also called a "smart" hormone: with its help the body determines those substances that are lacking during this period of the fetus and the mother herself. That is why a woman feels drawn to one product and aversion to another. And that is why a woman eats chalk - it means that she has a lack of calcium, or sour cucumbers - a lack of vitamin C.

It happens that a pregnant woman begins to pull not just "salty", but lime, acetone, paint and other inedible things. In these cases, it is better to go to a doctor's consultation, who should tell you what is missing and what edible can replace inedible desires.
The self-defense mechanism also works in full force in a pregnant woman - she may be disgusted with too spicy, bitter, spicy. Even simple parsley can get nasty. This means what the body feels.

In the process of the phased development of the fetus, a woman's addictions change. This is due to the requirements of the body - it needs more and more building materials. And this is normal and correct. Modern dietetics insists that a pregnant woman eat in accordance with the generally accepted concept of rational nutrition, but how much this is justified in relation to the state of pregnancy is an open question, and no one has yet given an unambiguous answer to it.

The main principle in nutrition during pregnancy is variety, a minimum of artificially processed foods and the maximum benefit of everything that a pregnant woman consumes. Nature provided the pregnant woman with her special intuition. Through the mother, the future child expresses his needs for the necessary trace elements, vitamins, nutrients. And this cannot be ignored. But there should be a reasonable approach: you need to listen to your strange desires, but only in acceptable quantities.