Morning Sickness

Morning sickness, nausea and vomiting can be among the first early pregnancy symptoms and signs.
Morning sickness begins around 4 weeks to 6 weeks into the pregnancy or around the time you miss your period.

One of the most common, and most irritating, parts of early pregnancy is morning sickness. Unexplained nausea leading to vomiting during the first month or so of pregnancy can mean you are eating far less than you should and spending more time in the bathroom than you would like.

Causes of Nausea, Morning Sickness
Hormones, specifically estrogen, are thought to be a primary cause of morning sickness. Estrogen levels suddenly increase and fluctuate during the first month or so of pregnancy. As this hormone fluctuates, women often see changes in their sense of smell, which may be linked to nausea. Other causes of morning sickness may include hCG, relaxing digestive muscles, and skipping meals due to fear of vomiting.

Important Facts About Nausea, Morning Sickness
In most cases, nausea or morning sickness lasts only a short time. Your baby is not affected by typical morning sickness, but if symptoms are severe or persist well beyond the first trimester, your physician monitoring the pregnancy should be notified. Nausea or morning sickness can lead to severe dehydration and a lack of proper calorie intake, which can cause weight loss during pregnancy and slowed growth of the fetus.

Treatment of Nausea, Morning Sickness
Slow and steady wins the race and the same goes for nausea and morning sickness. Eating meals slowly can greatly reduce the nausea associated with pregnancy. Crackers and water are perfect in the morning when nausea tends to be strongest. If morning sickness happens later in the day, as “morning” is not the same for every pregnant woman, eat only light meals when nausea is the strongest. Eating before bed may also help prevent sickness upon waking, as the stomach tends to feel nauseous when empty.

Do:

• Eat small meals often
• Drink fluids 1/2 hour before or after a meal, but not with meals
• Drink small amounts of fluids during the day to avoid dehydration
• Eat soda crackers 15 minutes before getting up in the morning
• Avoid foods and smells that increase nausea
• Ask someone else to cook for you and open the windows or turn on fans if the odor bothers you
• Get plenty of rest and nap during the day
• Avoid warm places (feeling hot adds to nausea)
• Sniff lemons or ginger, drink lemonade, or eat watermelon to relieve nausea
• Eat salty potato chips (they have been found to settle stomachs enough to eat a meal)

Don'ts:

• Do not lie down after eating
• Do not skip meals
• Do not cook or eat spicy food

Hyperemesis Gravidarum:
Hyperemesis gravidarum is a condition characterized by severe nausea, vomiting, weight loss, and sometimes electrolyte disturbance. Mild cases are often treated with dietary measures, rest and antacids. Severe cases often require a stay in the hospital so that the mother can receive fluid and nutrition through an intravenous line. DO NOT take any medications to solve this problem without consulting your health care provider first.