Morning sickness is perhaps the best known pregnancy complaint. Often the subject of humor in our popular culture, morning sickness is not so funny for the many women who experience it during their pregnancy.
Women who suffer from morning sickness find that they develop a distaste for many foods that they previously enjoyed. You may find a relaxing cup of coffee, a steak dinner, and for some people salad, can leave you nauseous. Cigarette smoke can prove especially noxious, and sometimes even the sight of food can make you feel queasy. Some women find that they are only able to stomach one food: citrus fruit, dry toast or crackers, or yogurt for instance.
Why women get morning sickness during pregnancy is largely unknown. Some experts suggest that the body is preventing you from eating foods that may be bad for the fetus. Some research confirms that women who have morning sickness are more likely to have a successful pregnancy than those who don't.
In fact the numbers suggest that women who do not feel nauseous during pregnancy are two or three times more likely to have a miscarriage than those who don't. But since there are many fortunate women who have no signs of morning sickness and very healthy pregnancies, you shouldn't worry about this until more research confirms it.
Although the reasons for morning sickness are still unknown, the cause of nausea seems to be well established. Often the result of low blood sugar, which for most people drops overnight, this is why the condition is called morning sickness. A cracker or some dry toast before you get out of bed can often alleviate some of the feelings of nausea, but you should be aware that morning sickness can occur at any time. Because of this, if you are diabetic, you should be very aware of your blood sugar level.
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Of course if morning sickness were simply the result of blood sugar levels, it could be easily treated. Unfortunately there seems to be some hormonal links as well. It is thought that the pregnancy hormoneA complex chemical substance created in a part or organ of the body. When released it initiates or regulates activity in an organ or group of cells in another part of the body.
Hormones secreted by endocrine glands are transported through the bloodstream to their target organ. The amount of hormone secreted is regulated either by other hormones, by neurotransmitters, or simply when an excess of the organ's activity indicates a need to reduce the amount of the hormone produced.
Other hormones are produced locally by the organs themselves and are common in the digestive tract.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions., human chorionic gonadotropinHuman chorionic gonadotropin is a hormone released into the maternal bloodstream by the developing placenta from about six days after the last period was due (about 22 days after the last menstrual period). Its presence can be detected in the urine by a home pregancy test and a positive result indicates pregnancy. Gonadotropins are used to treat infertility, hypogonadism and nonobstructive cryptorchidism. Often abbreviated to HCG.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions., or hCG, may directly affect the stomach, irritating the lining and acids. Studies have shown that there is a close correlation between the levels of beta hCG during trimester one and your feelings of nausea. Since the production of hCG occurs in the placentaThe placenta is a large disk shaped membrane responsible for providing nourishment to the fetus during pregnancy. It consists of three parts, the fetal part made up from the chorion membrane surrounding the fetus, the maternal part, formed from the decidua basalis layer of the uterine lining, and the intervillous space between the two plates. It is connected to the fetus by the umbilical cord and consists of tissue from both the mother and the embryo.
Its function is complex. It has been described as a simple organ that combines the functions of a kidney-dialysis machine, heart and lung machine and intravenous drip. It consists of enormous numbers of blood vessel branches that permit the exchange of nutrition and oxygen, from the mother's bloodstream to the fetus and the removal of wastes to the mother to be excreted. The placenta's remarkable quality is that it does so without the blood of the mother mixing with that of the baby.
It also is responsible for the production of vital hormones including, estrogen, progesterone, and human chorionic gonadotropin. After birth, the placenta is delivered, and is sometimes referred to as the afterbirth.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions., some experts have suggested that morning sickness may be an allergic reaction to the placenta in some women. But a link between feelings of nausea and estrogenOne of a group of female hormonal steroids that promote secondary sex characteristics.
Created in the ovaries, adrenal cortices, and fetoplacental unit, estrogen is used to prepare the genital tract for fertilization, implantation and nutrition of the embryo.
Estrogen is a key ingredient in oral contraceptives. Estrogens include conjugated estrogen, esterified estrogen, estradiol, estriol and estrone.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions. levels during the first twenty weeks has also been identified, as well as unsolved reports of unusual electrical activity in the stomachs of women experiencing morning sickness.
Some experts have suggested that since morning sickness is not a pregnancy symptom in some cultures, it is a psychological complaint that fulfils a necessary desire to confirm the existence of the pregnancy. They point out similar rituals in other cultures, and there is certainly evidence of fathers in our culture experiencing a physical 'sympathetic' morning sickness during pregnancy called couvade. But for now all causes of morning sickness remain theoretical.
The only things we know for sure are that it is a common, and unpleasant complaint. It can occur at any time of day, but affects most women during the morning. Mothers of twins may experience a more severe and long lasting morning sickness. Most doctors define a mild case of morning sickness if you vomit only once or twice during your pregnancy. Moderate to severe morning sickness exists if you throw up at least once every other day for at least a week.
Morning sickness can occur at any time of day, but is usually worst in the morning, gradually improving throughout the day. Most experts define morning sickness as a first trimester condition, beginning about week six and lasting until week twelve or week thirteen, at which time it reduces in severity and eventually disappears. Severe cases can continue well into the second trimester, lasting on average about seventeen weeks, and for some women, symptoms can continue for the length of the pregnancy.
It is thought that between sixty and eighty percent (3 - 4 in 5) women experience morning sickness during pregnancy. The incidence seems to be higher among teenagers, women over the age of thirty five, women who are obese, nonsmokers or women with a multiple pregnancy. But then, if eighty percent of pregnant women are affected, almost any demographic is likely to be included!
If your morning sickness causes you to vomit every day you may have trouble keeping down food and fluids. It is important that you do not become dehydrated, and you should try to drink plenty of fluid. Discuss the problem with your healthcare provider, who may test you for a urinary tract infectionA bacterial infection of one or more structures in the urinary tract including the kidneys and bladder. The most common gramnegative bacteria include Escherichia coli, or a species of Klebsiella, Proteus, Pseudomonas or Enterobacter.
Urinary tract infections are more common in women than in men. They are characterized by an increased need to urinate, a burning sensation and in severe cases blood and pus in the urine.
Treatment includes antibacterials, analgesics, and urinary antiseptic medications. Urinary tract infections include cystitis, pyelonephritis and urethritis. Abbreviated to UTI.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions.. You may be prescribed a medication to reduce the nausea and vomiting. Extreme morning sickness is called hyperemesis gravidarum, or HG, and you may be hospitalized for a day or two for observation, given an intravenous dripThe delivery of fluid, often glucose, directly into the vein using a plastic catheter, and bag of fluid.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions. to replenish your fluids, and vitamin supplementation for nutrients.
If you feel nauseous, food is probably the last thing you want to think about, but skipping meals or fasting will only lower your blood sugar levels, leaving you feeling worse. Some foods that are spicy, fatty or fried will contribute to your nausea, as will coffee or some milky drinks. Instead, eat several small meals or snacks throughout the day. Keep stashes of dry crackers or glucose sweets by your bed, in your desk, in your handbag or in the car, so that you always have something with you. At mealtimes, eat foods that are high in carbohydrates that will digest and quickly raise your blood sugar such as wholemeal bread, potatoes, rice or cereals. Now is not the time to try the Atkins diet!
Before you go to bed at night, snack on a slice of turkey or ham, chicken or cheese. These high protein foods will slowly digest while you are sleeping, maintaining constant blood sugar levels throughout the night. Put a glass of water and a dry cracker or cookie by your bed, so that you can eat it about fifteen minutes before you get up in the morning to give you some energy to start the day. Make sure that your bed is nice and cool with a fan blowing if necessary. If you feel hot and sweaty it may make you feel sick and keep you awake at night. It is important that you get plenty of rest.
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If you cannot handle the thought of these foods, then you should eat anything you can keep down. It is better to have some food in you than nothing at all. If you are vomiting, then you should brush your teeth after you throw up. The contents of your stomach contains strong gastric acid which can degrade the enamel of your teeth, so it is important that you remove it as soon as possible.
Many women find sodas or herbal remedies such as ginger or chamomile tea effective in reducing nausea. Try drinking cold drinks through a straw, to minimize the taste and odor, so that your feelings of nausea are not triggered. Other strong odors such as cooking smells, car exhaust or certain perfumes should be avoided if they make you feel ill.
Multivitamins may prove helpful in reducing your morning sickness. A Hungarian research study divided women into three groups, providing some with multivitamins, others with multiminerals, and a control group with placebos. The goal was to examine the effects of supplements in reducing neural tube defectsAny of a group of congenital malformations that involve the skull and the spinal column. Most commonly it involves the failure of the neural tube to close properly during embryonic development.
High levels of alphafetoprotein in the amniotic fluid can reveal potential problems prenatally, and the fetus can be scanned using ultrasound. Immediate surgical repair is required.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions., but they discovered that the women who took the placebo had a higher incidence of nausea, vertigo and vomiting, many of whom needed additional treatment.
Vitamin B6 is proven to be effective in reducing morning sickness. A product containing vitamin B6 and the over the counter sleep medication Unisom ® was an effective treatment for morning sickness until it was removed from the market for legal reasons. Talk to your doctor about having a 25 - 100 milligram dose of vitamin B6 to reduce severe morning sickness although it may not be able to help with your feelings of nausea.
Your doctor may also recommend antihistamines, which can also prove effective or some other treatments to control nausea: Medications which may prove helpful with the consent of your doctor include Doxylamine, found in sleeping pills, and Emmetrol are both over the counter preparations that help control nausea. Accupressure wristbands, work for about ten to fifteen percent (1 in 10) of women, although Norwegian researchers conducted a study that found them effective in seventy one percent (7 in 10) of pregnant women. Transderm Scop is a motion sickness patch which may be prescribed by your doctor if you cannot stomach the idea of taking pills or syrup, although it does cause drowsiness and dry mouth. Another alternative to oral medication are prescription suppositories such as Compazine or Tigan. If your nausea is triggered by heartburn, ask your doctor about Reglan, another prescription medication that may prove effective.
If you cannot stomach the idea of taking medication to reduce your feelings of nausea, try some of these home remedies. A traditional cure for nausea is ginger. You can simply grate the root over your food, but it is probably nicer if you infuse some ginger in hot water and make tea. Crystallized ginger, available in many health food stores or you can make your own, is a sweet candy that can be very effective. Or try a ginger jam on some toast for breakfast.
Lemons can prove refreshing if you are suffering from morning sickness. Plenty of fresh lemon juice squeezed into a glass, with cold water and sugar is a great drink in hot weather. Lemon juice, ginger, honey and boiling water makes a very nice soothing tea. Or you can simply sniff or suck on a cut lemon and enjoy the aroma.
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