One thing that can ruin the joy of knowing you're going to be a mother is morning sickness, or nausea and vomiting . Certain smells, like the smell of the fridge when you open it, or the sight of a favorite food, can make you nauseous, right? Sometimes it can be so bad that you don't even have time to go to the bathroom.
But you're not alone. About 90 out of 100 pregnant women experience this condition to some degree. In most cases, it's a good sign that the baby is growing healthily. These symptoms usually go away by the fourth month. However, for some people, it can last longer, even throughout the pregnancy .
Why does this 'Morning Sickness' occur?
Although doctors are not 100% sure what exactly causes this, the main accepted theory is that it is caused by the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin ( hCG ) . This hCG hormone is produced in the body in the first three months of pregnancy (first trimester). Also, although it is called 'Morning Sickness', you probably know from experience that this nausea can occur at any time of the day.
Sometimes this nausea can be a relief. It confirms the feeling, “Oh… I really have a baby growing inside me.” Some studies have shown that people who have less morning sickness may have a slightly higher risk of miscarriage. This is because hCG hormone levels are usually low during a miscarriage. But this is not common for everyone, so don’t be unduly scared.
Simple ways to control nausea
The hardest part about this is that there's no one answer that says, "This is the solution." Because everyone is different, and every pregnancy is different. What works for a friend may not work for you. So it's more important to listen to what your body is telling you than what other people say.
Nausea can be worse on an empty stomach. This is the main principle we need to remember.
The table below gives you an idea of what you can do for this.
| Advice | What to do |
|---|---|
| Meals | Instead of eating 3 big meals, breakfast, lunch, and dinner, eat smaller meals throughout the day. Eat small meals every 2-3 hours. |
| Waking up in the morning | Keep something like crackers by your bed. Eat one or two before getting out of bed, wait a few minutes, and then get up. |
| Selection of dishes | Easily digestible starchy foods like bread, rice, and noodles are good. Protein-rich snacks like peanut butter and cheese can also help. Stay away from spicy, oily foods, and gas-causing vegetables like cabbage. |
| Enough fluids | It's important to drink plenty of fluids because vomiting can cause dehydration. You should drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. If you have trouble drinking water, try ginger beer, flavored teas like lemon, mint, peach, or watermelon. |
| Vitamins | If taking your prenatal vitamin in the morning makes you feel nauseous, try taking it before bed at night. |
Relief from ginger and vitamin B6?
- Ginger: Ginger is a traditional remedy for nausea. Drinking a teaspoon of grated ginger in a cup of hot water can provide relief.
- Vitamin B6: Some studies have shown that taking 25 milligrams (25mg) of vitamin B6 three times a day can help control moderate to severe nausea.
- Acupressure wristbands: These wristbands are used to treat seasickness and are believed to stimulate a pressure point on the top of the wrist, which helps reduce nausea. Some people find this to be helpful.
Most importantly: Before you start using any vitamin, herb, or other supplement, you should definitely talk to your doctor. It's important to first make sure that your symptoms are not the result of another condition.
When should we seriously think about this?
If none of these things help, and your nausea is so severe that you can't perform daily activities, your doctor may prescribe anti-nausea drugs that are safe for use during pregnancy.
Very rarely, about one in 100 people, this condition can be very severe. We call it Hyperemesis Gravidarum . In this case, the body can become dehydrated due to excessive vomiting and cause imbalances in the body's chemical composition.
Seek immediate medical attention in the following cases:
- If you cannot keep any food or drink down for 24 hours.
- If your body weight is decreasing.
- If you feel extremely tired or dizzy.
- If the amount of urine you produce has decreased significantly and your urine has taken on a dark color.
Don't wait until it gets really bad, thinking, "This is normal during pregnancy." Normal nausea is one thing, and unbearable nausea is another. In such a case, see a doctor immediately or go to the hospital's Emergency Department (ETU).
This condition can be so severe that some people have to be hospitalized and given intravenous fluids and saline. It's not good for the mother. But remember, all this will eventually end. When you have a healthy, loving baby in your arms, you'll forget all the pain you've been through.
Take-Home Message
- Morning sickness is a very common condition during pregnancy. It is often a sign of a healthy pregnancy.
- Everyone and every pregnancy is different, so find what works for your body, rather than what works for others.
- Don't eat on an empty stomach. Eat small meals throughout the day. Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.
- Do not take any medications or supplements, including vitamin B6, without the advice of a doctor.
- If you are unable to eat or drink anything for 24 hours, lose weight, or feel extremely tired, see your doctor immediately.
- Remember that this is a temporary situation. Be patient and wait for the beautiful results in the end.
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