Morning sickness is often considered to be the first sign of pregnancy during which nausea may or may not be accompanied by vomiting. Seek more insight into this condition through this HerHaleness article.
Morning sickness, also known as nausea gravidarum, nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP), and pregnancy sickness, is a condition which affects more than 50% of pregnant women and also some women who use hormonal contraception or Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). The term ‘morning sickness’ is a misnomer, as the more technical term is nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. A number of women also suffer from it even at night. Often, it is more prominent in the early hours of the day, and the symptoms reduce as the day progresses.
The symptoms of this condition include mild nausea, or it may also induce actual vomiting. In case of extreme vomiting, it may cause dehydration and/or weight loss. The extreme case of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy is caused in about 1% of all pregnancies. The two most common questions asked pertaining to this condition are when does morning sickness start and when does it end. This condition often starts around the 6th week of pregnancy and stops around the 12th week of pregnancy.
Causes
It is very difficult to figure the exact cause of this condition. Some of the causes include increased levels of the hormone estrogen in the body. In some cases, the levels of estrogen can increase by as much as a hundred times during pregnancy. However, there is no consistent evidence about the differences in estrogen levels between women who suffer from nausea and vomiting during pregnancy and those who do not.
Increase in progesterone relaxes the muscles in the uterus, which helps in preventing early childbirth, but also often relaxes the stomach and intestines, leading to excess stomach acids and gastroesophageal reflux disease. In some cases, the condition can also result due to increase in sensitivity to odors that overstimulates normal nausea triggers. Low blood sugar levels during early pregnancy can also lead to this condition.
Remedies
The cures for this condition are relatively simple, which are sufficient enough to help. However, most of the measures do not have any strong evidence, but they are often recommended by obstetricians, midwives, and women have benefited from it. Some of the remedies that work are eating small and frequent meals all through the day so that the stomach is never empty. Depending on your condition, you may either like to treat your nausea with carbohydrates or proteins. The first thing you can do in the morning is nibble on few crackers and rest for 20 to 30 minutes, before you actually get out of bed.
It is recommended that women avoid foods and smells which trigger nausea. Eating bland food and at room temperature will reduce the aroma of the foods. Fatty food should be avoided when one is suffering from nausea, as it takes longer to digest. Also, it is recommended to stay away from rich, spicy, acidic, and fried food which tend to irritate the digestive system.
Drink fluids about half an hour before or after the meals, but certainly not with the meals. Do not drink too much of liquid at any point of time. However, make it a point to drink small amounts of fluids all through the day to avoid dehydration. Make sure that you do get plenty of rest all through the day. Sniffing on lemons and ginger may also help in reducing nausea. If you wish, you may drink a glass of lemonade.
It is recommended that you do not lie down immediately after a meal. Skipping meals can also lead to an increase in the condition. As far as possible, avoid spicy food. If possible, you may not want to go to warm places, as it induces nausea.
If you suffer from excessive nausea and vomiting, then it is recommended that you talk to your health care professional. In some cases, medicines may have to be prescribed to cure vomiting and nausea related to pregnancy. If you are vomiting more than four times in a day, do not waste time and visit your doctor immediately.
Disclaimer: This article is for informative purposes only and should not be substituted for the advice of a medical professional.
