There isn’t a specific time when pregnancy food cravings start. It’s different for every woman – and you may not necessarily have any cravings.

If you do start having cravings, it’ll probably be in your first trimester (it could be as early as 5 weeks into pregnancy). They’ll get stronger in your second trimester, and then eventually stop in your third trimester.

Cravings come in all shapes and sizes. Some women crave fatty foods like chips. Others get pregnancy cravings for things they didn’t like before they got pregnant, or strange combinations of food such as mars bars with bacon.

Try to eat as healthily as possible – keep those unhealthy temptations to a minimum!

If you find yourself craving things that aren’t food, like toothpaste, coal or even soil, speak to your midwife or doctor, as this may be a sign of a vitamin deficiency.

Nausea and vomiting are very common. This usually occurs in the first 12 weeks, but can last longer. Your baby will be fine, even if you cannot eat very much during this time. The goal is to prevent dehydration.

Recommendations:

• Eat 5-6 small meals a day, increasing protein
• Avoid spicy or greasy foods and anything that is hard to digest
• Separate solids from liquids
• Eat crackers one half hour before getting out of bed
• Can try teas… raspberry, ginger, etc and ginger root capsules
• Emetrol, Dramamine, and Meclizine are safe to use
• Increase fluids
• Acupuncture, meditation, and massage therapy can be used
• Call if you cannot tolerate anything by mouth and keep appointments so that you and your doctor can discern if weight loss is dangerous or dehydration is occurring.

Caused by sluggish bowels

Recommendations:

• Increase water. You need 64-96 ounces daily
• Increase fiber in your diet (try a cereal each morning with > 3gm fiber)
• Exercise regularly
• Fiber therapy- Metamucil, Fibercon, or Citrucel
• Colace and Milk of Magnesia can be used

Below are recommendations for diarrhea caused by stomach viruses:

• Increase fluids to avoid dehydration
• BRAT diet – bananas, rice, apple sauce, toast
• Can use Imodium AD
• Call if persists after 2 doses of Imodium

Caused by hormonal and physical changes of pregnancy that slow down the digestive track

Recommendations:

• Avoid spicy, greasy foods and foods with fat or are hard to digest
• Chew food slowly and don’t overeat
• Eat small, frequent meals
• Don’t lie down after eating; elevate the head of your bed
• Can use Maalox, Mylanta, Mylicon, Tums, Pepcid AC, Zantac