During pregnancy, you’re eating for two (or more). But it can be challenging to get enough nourishment if you’re struggling with pregnancy loss of appetite. Although most women are quite hungry during their pregnancy, this isn’t always the case. If you’re losing your appetite during pregnancy, these tips will help you regain it!

What Causes Pregnancy Loss of Appetite?

Most people know pregnancy can make you ravenously hungry and develop odd cravings or food aversions. However, fewer people know that pregnancy can also reduce a woman’s appetite. If you’re experiencing pregnancy loss of appetite, it could be caused by the following:

• Pregnancy hormones. Hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) increase during pregnancy. These hormones will affect your appetite and mood.
• Nausea and vomiting. Studies show that 70% to 80% of women experience nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. Often referred to as “morning sickness,” these unpleasant pregnancy symptoms can discourage women from eating.
• Depression. You may have heard of postpartum depression, but some women experience depression during pregnancy as well. This depression may lead to a reduction in appetite.

3 Tips to Manage Pregnancy Loss of Appetite

1. Small and Frequent Meals

If you’re frequently nauseous or struggling to keep down food, it can drastically curb your appetite. In this instance, it’s much better to eat small, pregnancy-friendly meals every few hours instead of three large meals throughout the day. Since you’re eating a smaller amount of food in one sitting, managing your pregnancy loss of appetite is much easier.

2. Drink Nutrient-Dense Fluids

While it’s important to ensure you’re drinking enough water throughout the day, it’s also beneficial to consume fluids packed with the vitamins and minerals you need for a healthy, happy pregnancy. Try drinking vegetable juices, smoothies, coconut water, and other high-nutrient fluids to ensure you get all the necessary nutrients between meals.

3. Get Some Exercise

If you haven’t been sticking to a solid exercise routine, try working out to spark your appetite! Exercise is one of the best natural methods to manage pregnancy loss of appetite. And remember, you don’t need to run a marathon to boost your hunger. Try walking and other gentle forms of exercise to increase your appetite.

Have a Healthy Holistic Pregnancy with 2Me Healthcare

Whether you’re planning to start a family or seeking support throughout your pregnancy, working with healthcare providers who listen to your concerns and create a birthing plan for your unique needs is essential. If you want to work with a midwife offering holistic pregnancy and fertility support, OB2me is here to help.

At OB2me, we offer private in-home or in-office concierge midwifery care to support you with comfortable prenatal and postpartum care for you and your family. We are also available to help you throughout your labor and delivery at the hospital.OB2me provides multiple packages and services to fit your needs best and make your transition from pregnancy to motherhood as stress-free as possible. Just contact our team today and see how working with a dedicated and passionate healthcare provider can make all the difference!

Carson

Carson Ragan, CNM is a Certified Nurse Midwife with more than 25 years of experience in Labor & Delivery, Neonatal ICU, and women’s healthcare. After becoming a mother at a young age and experiencing the birth of her premature second child, she was inspired to pursue nursing and ultimately midwifery.

She earned her nursing degree from Columbus State University and graduated as an RN in 1999. After years of experience as an L&D and NICU nurse, charge nurse, educator, and clinician, she earned her graduate degree from Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing in 2010 and became a Certified Nurse Midwife.

Her personal experiences as both a mother and healthcare provider inspired her vision for a more personal, convenient approach to women’s healthcare. She created a concierge model designed to give women more time, individualized attention, and quality care in the comfort of their home or office.

Outside of work, Carson enjoys spending time with her husband and five children, volunteering with her daughter’s volleyball teams, traveling, and scuba diving.