For many women, the toughest part of early pregnancy is morning sickness. Morning sickness during pregnancy is a phenomenon that no one can understand. Morning sickness may occur at any time of the day, especially when the stomach is empty. It affects about 70% of all expectant women and is most common during the first three months of pregnancy.
What is Morning Sickness?
Morning sickness is the most common term used to describe nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. Medically known as 'Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy' (NVP), it can range from mild, occasional nausea to severe, continuous disabling nausea with bouts of vomiting. Although morning sickness is more common in the morning, it can occur at anytime of the day or night. It occurs from as early as the fourth week to as late as the fourteenth week. But there isn't a set time for it to stop because each woman is different, and each pregnancy is different.
It may be dangerous if you experience excessive vomiting resulting in dehydration. This condition is known as hyperemesis gravidarum and needs immediate medical aid.
Will morning sickness affect my baby?
Morning sickness won't affect your baby's well-being as long as you're able to keep food and fluid down, and don't begin to lose a lot of weight. If you are vomiting many times a day, are unable to eat and drink without vomiting, and are losing weight, see your doctor immediately.
What causes Morning Sickness?
The actual causes of nausea and vomiting are still not known.
- Some believe high hormone levels during pregnancy are associated with a higher incidence of nausea and vomiting.
- It is also believed that as your gastrointestinal (GI) tract becomes extremely sensitive during pregnancy, certain foods, particularly rich or spicy ones, may irritate the lining of your stomach.
- Another possible cause is the heightened sensitivity to odors. Odors that once were appealing before pregnancy may cause waves of nausea.
- Emotional factors also influence morning sickness. Morning sickness is actually unknown in some more primitive societies where lifestyles are simpler, more relaxed and less demanding.
What can I do?
Here are some unique suggestions to ease morning sickness:
Diet Changes:
- Include a variety of healthy and balanced diet to provide your body the required nutrients during pregnancy.
- Eat more carbohydrates and proteins.
- Avoid too much spicy, oily or greasy food during pregnancy. These foods are hard for your stomach to digest and may trigger nausea and vomiting.
- Eat little and often. If your stomach is empty, this can make nausea worse, so try to eat something every two hours or so.
- Ginger tea or ginger tablets can help reduce nausea.
- Sniff or suck on a cut lemon. The smell of a cut lemon can help your nausea. You can also add lemon slices to water or ice tea.
- Avoid alcohol and caffeine.
- Avoid foods and odors that might trigger the symptoms.
- Before getting out of bed in the morning, eat some simple snacks such as plain biscuits.
- Drink plenty of liquids. Fluids will help you from getting dehydrated and will soothe the stomach. Preferably 10 to 12 glasses of water, fruit juice or herbal tea each day.
- Eat slowly to help it digest easily.
- Avoid iron supplements, which can make nausea worse.
- Nibble at a dry cracker, toast or a peeled apple whenever you feel nauseous.
Lifestyle changes:
- Make it a habit to give your body adequate rest whenever you feel tired. Lie down with a pillow under your head and legs.
- Don't brush your teeth immediately after eating because this can cause vomiting.
- Avoid smoking. Not only is it harmful for you and your child, it also diminishes your appetite.
- Get some fresh air and exercise by going for a little walk every day. Move slowly and avoid sudden movements.
- The aroma of peppermint can also help your nausea. Put a couple of drops of peppermint oil on a piece of tissue or your handkerchief and sniff at it now and then.
- Wear clothes that aren't too tight around the waist.
- Stress and fatigue can make morning sickness worse. So de-stress regularly with the help of meditation.
These few things should help to see you through during your critical pregnancy period and to a healthy and safe childbirth.
