Dr. Marjorie Greenfield
Specializing in pregnancy and birth.
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 Ask Dr. Greenfield
Spitting Constantly in Early Pregnancy | | | QUESTION | | | Dear Dr. Greenfield,
I am a 38-year-old woman heading into the end of my first trimester in pregnancy. My question is why is it that some women have increased saliva production (as I do) and have to constantly spit it out since it makes me sicker to just swallow it--especially since I am constantly nauseated.— Blessed01 in Miami, Florida | | | ANSWER |
September 27, 2001 | | | Dear Blessed01,
Congratulations! Even though you are feeling pretty rotten right now, you are growing a whole new person inside your body--a truly miraculous event.
What you are experiencing is called ptyalism (the "p" is silent). Believe it or not, most experts believe that the excess saliva is not from an increase in saliva production, but from an inability to swallow the fluid that you make. This condition is often related to severe nausea, and mostly, but not always, resolves in the second trimester. Some women find that it helps to avoid starchy foods.
Be sure to drink lots of liquids to replace the fluid you lose by spitting all day, and if you are unable to take liquids or have symptoms of dehydration like severe thirst or dizziness, see you OB practitioner. Good luck!— by Marjorie Greenfield, M.D. |
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