Morning Sickness

Morning sickness is common and is best described as nausea that is caused by pregnancy. It affects more than half of all pregnant women.

 

Morning sickness is a general term used to describe episodes of nausea and vomiting which most often occur in the early morning hours in pregnant women.

 

The nausea can strike at any time, day or night (except when sleeping).  Despite the unpleasant symptoms, there is good news associated with morning sickness. Frequently it is a sign that your pregnancy is progressing normally.

 

Perhaps the most comforting fact about morning sickness is that it doesn’t last forever.

Morning Sickness Causes

The precise cause of morning sickness is unknown, but a number of theories exist.
The prevailing theory today is that morning sickness is related to a pregnancy hormone, gonadotropin.

 

Morning sickness is most common in the first 3 – 4 months of pregnancy. Nausea and vomiting can be one of the first signs of pregnancy and usually starts around the 6th week of pregnancy.

 

Less than 10% of affected women have symptoms that persist beyond week 18 of pregnancy.

Morning Sickness Symptoms

Morning sickness symptoms vary widely.  The nausea and vomiting often goes together with other signs of pregnancy including extreme tiredness or feeling sleepy, craving for certain foods, frequent urination, back pain and constipation.

 

Although many expectant mothers might feel that their morning sickness is serious, or is endangering the baby, there are usually no unfavourable effects on the baby or mother.

 

In fact, recent research has revealed that morning sickness is actually helpful for the unborn baby.  It is now widely accepted that morning sickness is a positive sign because it means the placenta is in a healthy state of growth.

 

Numerous studies have determined that morning sickness can be associated with a lesser risk of miscarriage.

 

Hyperemesis gravidarum is the term given to severe morning sickness. This is where continual vomiting causes both dehydration and weight loss.  About one in 1,000 pregnant women are affected by this form of morning sickness.

 

Morning sickness is usually worse when the mother is expecting more than one baby.

Food & Morning Sickness

Morning sickness symptoms can be managed to some degree. Nausea tends to be at its worse on an empty stomach, so it is best to eat frequent, small meals. 

 

Suggested meals include cold, plain foods including plain vegetables and fruits.

 

Many studies have shown that ginger can ease the symptoms. It can be taken as ginger ale, ginger beer, ginger jam on toast, ginger tea or even ginger cake or biscuits.

 

Eating, sucking or sniffing lemons can also be helpful. Another useful tip is to only consume liquids between meals and not with meals.

 

Read other articles on this site including more on morning sickness symptoms, morning sickness commencement, pregnancy nausea, and morning sickness treatment.