The most effective strategy for me to control my sensitive gag reflex when triggered was taking deep, long, even breathes of cool, clean scented air. This is just one of those things that balances the joy and comfort of pregnancy. It’s hard enough because I never know when it’ll hit. This is called hyperemesis gravidarum, which can sometimes require hospitalization and active medical treatment. I could have been burning out my esophagus and losing weight because of severe morning sickness. My son ran into the bathroom to soothe me when he heard me sit down on the toilet, shakey, pale and crying. When trying to brush my teeth at 11am, the gagging started and got worse until I threw up. Not a terribly substantial a meal, but there you have it. We were a day away from topping up the groceries so all the basics were out of stock and I only ate a banana for breakfast. The worst happened while brushing my teeth one morning. I mean, I live with 3 guys! But, oh boy! Being pregnant makes that kind of humour send me retching and crying. I’m afraid I snapped at my SIL and then feebly apologised because everyone in the car that night started talking about bodily functions. Don’t tell me about the jar of something that is growing mold in the fridge or the aroma of pasta sauce. No, I gag most often to the possibility of smelling them. I’m not reacting to any actual stimuli or even a remembered stimuli stored in the core of my primal brain. Just thinking about bad smells makes the bile rise up the back of my throat. When my sister attempted to apologise, it led to the absolute worst gag inducer of them all: Thinking About Bad Smells!!!! I managed to stifle the gags while dealing with the little man, but the moment I sat down right way round, I was certain I’d throw up all over myself and the car. Some of said gas escaped in the car as I was turned around from the front seat, leaning into the back seat, helping strap Kieran into his booster. She’ll probably be mortified that I mentioned it, but there you have it. When family joined us for dinner and a hockey game one night, my SIL had a little post meal gas. I feel particularly bad about this one as gas is not something any of us can control. I hold my breath passing bathrooms and hang my head out the car window when gas is passed. If I have to smell the side effect of anyone’s bodily function, it’s all over for me. I must vainly attempt to squeeze my eyes shut and hum or something – anything to forget Sean dumping old soup down the sink or me rinsing a kid’s messy undies in the sink. If, however, when I am bent over spitting into that white bowl and I catch a glimpse, then it’s retch city. I try to actually not look into the sink at all, preferring to avoid this gag by reading a magazine article that I clip to the bathroom mirror. Sometimes, looking into the sink drain and helplessly recalling gross things that have run down that drain can bring on the worst gags! However, most often what triggers the gag is trying to gargle, rinse or swish my mouth clean. Putting the toothbrush in my mouth, too far in my mouth, can bring on a gag. I take a few pills every single day, so my first gag of the day (or three, as I take three morning pills) arrives by 9am: the prenatal pill gag and two acidophalus pill gags. Things that triggered my sensitive gag reflex: Taking Pills There wasn’t any morning sickness, but I had the most sensitive gag reflex known to woman. But the second time around things were a little different. I had some food aversions and some very powerful cravings (I ate grilled cheese sandwiches for at least two meals per day for the last two weeks of my pregnancy!). When I was pregnant with my first baby, I didn’t experience morning sickness. Now we need to talk about gagging in pregnancy! Did you have a sensitive gag reflex in pregnancy?
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