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Morning sickness is nausea and vomiting that happens during pregnancy. More than half of pregnant women have nausea and vomiting, especially during the first trimester. Despite its name, you can have morning sickness at any time of day. It doesn't mean your baby is sick, and it doesn't hurt the baby. Pregnancy nausea is probably caused by the sudden increase of hormones in your body. It's usually mild and goes away about midway through your pregnancy. Some women never feel nauseated during their pregnancy. Some women get a severe form of morning sickness called hyperemesis gravidarum. This happens when severe nausea and vomiting leads to dehydration or causes the woman to lose more than 5% of her pregnancy body weight. Sometimes, she may not get enough nutrients, leading to malnourishment. The woman may have to stay in the hospital to get fluids, medication, and rarely, a feeding tube. General symptoms of morning sickness include:
Call your doctor if you:
Experts aren’t sure, but pregnancy hormones may cause nausea. In the case of severe nausea and vomiting, there could be another medical condition that isn’t related to pregnancy. Things that may make you more likely to have morning sickness include:
You’re at higher risk of hyperemesis gravidarum if:
Diagnosing morning sickness is based on your signs and symptoms. If your doctor suspects you have hyperemesis gravidarum, they may also order urine or blood tests. For moderate to severe morning sickness, your doctor may recommend:
To treat hyperemesis gravidarum, you may need to stay in the hospital and get:
You can also try some of these home remedies:
You're sailing along on your early pregnancy adventure — just little soreness in your breasts and an uptick in trips to the bathroom, but nothing you can't handle. Until one day, you wake up feeling queasy. Does it seem like you've got a bout of seasickness? Or a bad case of butterflies in your tummy? That's how many pregnant women describe morning sickness. And chances are you'll be dealing with this unsettled stomach for at least the next few weeks. What is morning sickness?Morning sickness describes the nausea and vomiting that can happen when you’re pregnant. Since your sense of smell is extra keen when you’re expecting, you may also have strong aversions to certain foods and smells. The “morning” part of this pregnancy symptom, however, is quite a misnomer. If you're among the estimated 3 in 4 expecting moms who suffer from morning sickness symptoms, you know that nausea and vomiting can actually hit at any time of the day or night. When does morning sickness start?Morning sickness symptoms typically start around week 6 of pregnancy towards the middle of month 2. No wonder it's one of the first telltale signs you're expecting — that's only a week after your hCG hormone levels have risen enough to produce a positive pregnancy test! Some moms find that the nausea kicks in a little later between weeks 7 to 9, but luckily this not-so-fun pregnancy symptom usually disappears around the beginning of the second trimester. How long does morning sickness last?For the vast majority of expectant moms, nausea and vomiting typically subside between weeks 12 and 16 of pregnancy, with symptoms at their worst from weeks 10 to 16. That said, a few women continue to experience symptoms into the second trimester. And a very few, particularly those expecting multiples, may suffer from some morning sickness throughout their pregnancies. Morning sickness symptomsTypical symptoms of morning sickness include:
Morning sickness itself doesn’t harm your baby. However you should see your doctor if you can’t keep foods or liquids down and are starting to lose weight. Your doctor will want to rule out hyperemesis gravidarum, or serious morning sickness that may require medical attention and possibly hospitalization to protect you and your baby. Morning sickness causesWhat causes morning sickness? No one knows for sure, though there’s no shortage of theories. A few factors that may be at play include: Not all pregnant women experience morning sickness — and not in the same way. Some have only occasionally queasy moments. Others feel nauseous around the clock but rarely or never throw up. A few vomit frequently. Several factors may increase your risk of experiencing morning sickness, including: Hormone levelsHigher-than-average pregnancy hormone levels (because, for example, you’re carrying multiples) can increase morning sickness. While lower-than-average hormone levels may reduce or eliminate nausea, you can also have perfectly normal hormone levels and experience minimal (if any) morning sickness. A sensitive brainSome brains are simply more sensitive than others, which means they’re more likely to respond to hormones and other triggers of pregnancy queasiness. If you have a sensitive stomach — you always get car sick or seasick, for example — you’re more likely to have more severe nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. If you’re rarely queasy, you’re less likely to have morning sickness when you’re expecting. A history of migraines can also make you more likely to have morning sickness (especially hyperemesis gravidarum). StressEmotional stress can trigger gastrointestinal upset. So it’s not surprising that morning sickness tends to worsen when you’re especially stressed. That's not to say that morning sickness is in your head. But if you’re feeling particularly on edge, it might intensify nausea and vomiting. FatiguePhysical or mental fatigue can trigger morning sickness symptoms. On the flipside, severe morning sickness can increase fatigue. First-time pregnancyWomen who are pregnant for the first time tend to be more prone to morning sickness and have more severe morning sickness symptoms. If your body has never gone through pregnancy before, it may be less “prepared” for the surge of hormones and other changes you’re experiencing. You may also feel a bit anxious about the many unknowns of pregnancy, which could result in an upset stomach. If this isn’t your first baby, you may be distracted from nausea by the demands of caring for older children. And since your body has been there, done that, it may not be so shocked by the physical changes of pregnancy. Generalities are never 100 percent true for everyone. You may find, for example, that you’re queasier in your second pregnancy than you were in your first. GeneticsIf your mom or sister had morning sickness, some research suggests you’re more likely to develop the condition yourself. Of course you could glide through pregnancy with hardly a nauseous day. Hot weatherSome women find that feeling hot brings on feelings of queasiness. But as is the case for all of these factors, morning sickness sometimes has no obvious trigger at all. Morning sickness remediesWhile the only way to get rid of the queasies is to give it some time, a few strategies can offer morning sickness relief: Stamp out offensive smellsThanks to your more sensitive sense of smell, some scents may be suddenly offensive or even sickening. So stay away from smells that trigger nausea, whether it’s the curry from your favorite takeout place or your formerly favorite perfume. A few other tactics can help. Try microwaving food, which usually results in fewer odors, and open the windows when you cook. Leave any place that smells so strong it’s making you ill. And wash your clothes more often with a lightly-scented (or unscented) detergent to get rid of encrusted smells. Steer clear, too, of foods that you can’t stand the sight of. Raw chicken, for example, is a common culprit. Wear Sea-Band wristletsThese 1-inch-wide bands put pressure on an acupressure point in the inner wrist. They’re widely available at drug and health food stores and have been shown to safely lessen pregnancy nausea. Your practitioner may also recommend a battery-operated wristband that uses gentle electrical stimulation (like Reliefband). Another option is PsiBands: two acupressure wristbands with adjustable knobs that you place on the inside of your wrists. Rest and de-stressDestressing can help minimize queasiness. Try classic stress-reduction techniques, like meditation and visualization or prenatal yoga. And try to hit the sack for as many hours as you can clock every night. Take it slowlyRushing tends to aggravate nausea. So take it easy in the morning: Linger in bed for a few extra minutes and nibble on a bedside snack before taking a long, warm shower. A leisurely morning may seem impossible if you have other kids. So try to wake up before they do, which gives you a few moments of quiet time. Or let your partner take the morning shift. Try alternative remediesA wide variety of complementary medical approaches can help minimize the symptoms of morning sickness, including acupuncture, acupressure, biofeedback and hypnosis. They’re definitely worth a try, especially if nothing else works. But one alternative remedy you definitely should not use for morning sickness is marijuana or THC-containing products, which have not been shown to be safe during pregnancy. Both the Food & Drug Administration (FDA), and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) warn that cannabis can be dangerous for a developing fetus. Keep your mouth squeaky cleanRegular brushing helps keep your mouth fresh and reduces queasiness in the future. It also decreases the risk of damage to teeth from vomiting. Brush your teeth or rinse your mouth after each meal and after bouts of vomiting once your tummy has settled a bit. If your usual toothpaste contributes to nausea (toothpaste is a common trigger), ask your dentist to recommend another option or a good rinse. Or use plain water. Pop a supplementTake your prenatal vitamin to compensate for any nutrients you may not be getting, at whatever time of day you’re least likely throw it back up. You may want to try taking it right before bed. Prenatal vitamins can actually decrease nausea symptoms — especially if you take a slow-release vitamin that’s higher in quease-combatting vitamin B6. If your current pill makes you nauseous, try taking it with a meal. Or consider a coated, powder or chewable supplement. If your symptoms are particularly rough, ask your practitioner about switching your prenatal vitamin for one with more B6 and less (or no) iron, which can be particularly tough on a sensitive tummy. Also ask whether you should take an additional vitamin B6 supplement or the antihistamine doxylamine (found in Unisom SleepTabs), or supplement with magnesium or a magnesium spray. Don’t take any traditional or herbal medication for morning sickness unless it’s prescribed by your practitioner. Ask your doctor about morning sickness medicationIf your morning sickness is severe, you may want to talk to your doctor about taking a prescription drug that's been approved by the FDA to treat nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. Both Diclegis or Bonjesta have been proven safe and effective. Your doctor may sometimes prescribe an anti-nausea medication (like scopolamine, Phenergan or Reglan). Foods for morning sicknessA pregnancy diet that's high in protein and complex carbohydrates is not only good for baby, it can also help keep nausea at bay. Think whole grain toast and peanut butter, or hard cheese and crackers. Steer clear of greasy and processed fast foods, which are hard to digest and can make morning sickness worse. Wondering what to eat for morning sickness? A few of the best foods when you’re nauseous and vomiting during pregnancy include:
A few other mealtime tips can help reduce nausea and vomiting during pregnancy: Eat earlyNausea is most likely to strike when your stomach is empty, like it is following a night’s sleep. The acids churning around inside an empty tummy have nothing to digest but your stomach lining, which increases queasiness. Stock your nightstand full of trail mix, crackers and cereal. Munch on your stash first thing in the morning or if you wake up in the middle of the night to pee. Have a bite right before bedFor the same reason that you want to eat early, it’s a good idea to have a light snack that's high in protein and complex carbs right before you go to sleep. Try whole grain toast spread with peanut butter or a slice of cheese with a handful of dried fruit. Plan small, frequent mealsYou’re more likely to feel nauseous when your tummy's empty. But eating too much at once can also contribute to queasiness. Try the Goldilocks rule: Don't overfill your belly, but don't let it get completely empty. Instead, keep your stomach a little bit filled all the time. Because smaller meals are easier to digest, they’re less likely to trigger both the queasies and heartburn. Aim for six mini-meals throughout the day rather than three large ones. Keep a stash of on-the-go snacksDon’t leave your house without a healthy stash of snacks that your tummy can handle. Pack a bag of dried fruit and nuts, granola bars, protein bars, dry cereal, whole grain crackers or soy chips in your bag so you’re prepared anytime you’re out. Skip foods that turn you greenAvoid eating, seeing, smelling or even thinking about any dishes that trigger the queasies. Spicy and acidic foods may be particularly challenging, as well as anything with a strong aroma. Stick to foods that appeal to youChances are you'll be able to find a few healthy foods that you can keep down. They’ll take care of most of your nutritional requirements until a more varied diet becomes palatable. Remember that no one food has a monopoly on any particular nutrient or meal. For example, you can get your vitamin A and protein from peaches and yogurt at dinner instead of broccoli and chicken. Or have pasta for breakfast instead of cereal. Don't worry too much about getting your daily dozen in the short term. There will be plenty of time later on in your pregnancy for eating well. Swap out newly nausea-inducing foodsCouldn’t get enough bread at the start of your pregnancy, but now can’t stand the sight of toast? Sometimes what starts out as a comfort food can become associated with nausea and trigger the queasies. Try a similar-but-different-enough comfort food instead, like crackers. Can morning sickness hurt my baby?Although you might be feeling sick, your baby almost definitely isn't. In the short term, not eating very much isn't a problem. Your baby is teeny tiny when morning sickness is at its worst and doesn't have very much in the way of nutritional needs yet. By the time he does, you'll almost certainly have your appetite back, in spades! Even women who have such a hard time keeping food down that they actually lose weight during the first trimester aren’t hurting their babies, as long as they make up for the lost weight, as needed, in later months. Keep an eye on your urine: It should be clear or light-colored, like straw. If it’s darker, you may be dehydrated. Be sure to drink up, since staying hydrated during pregnancy ensures your baby is getting the essentials he needs for healthy development. If you’re not able to keep anything down, including fluids, it may be a symptom of hyperemesis gravidarum — a more serious condition that affects up to 3 percent of women with morning sickness. If your nausea is continuous and severe and you vomit several times a day, make sure to see your doctor. You may require additional treatment to protect yourself and your baby. Is it bad if I have no morning sickness?While morning sickness can be an uncomfortable but reassuring reminder that you’re pregnant, it’s also perfectly fine if you rarely or never have a bout of queasiness while you're expecting. Studies show that roughly 75 percent of all pregnant women experience nausea and/or vomiting during pregnancy. That means that approximately 25 percent don't. If you're among those who have little or no morning sickness, consider yourself not just pregnant but lucky! Remember, too, that having no morning sickness at 6 weeks pregnant may only be temporary: Nausea and vomiting can kick in at any time during the second or third month of pregnancy. |