Along with the joy of being pregnant, there are also some minor discomforts, right? Nausea and vomiting, especially when you wake up in the morning, are common experiences for many people. Although we call this 'morning sickness', it can actually happen at any time of the day. Although this is an annoying experience for many people, it is important to know that this is a normal thing during pregnancy. So let's find out everything about it today.
What is Morning Sickness?
Simply put, morning sickness is a condition of nausea and vomiting that occurs during pregnancy. It is most common during the first three months of pregnancy, or the first trimester. About 70% of pregnant women experience it. Despite the name "morning," this discomfort can occur at any time of the day, whether it's during the day, evening, or night.
The best part is, there are many things you can do at home to help manage this condition. Your doctor may also prescribe medications to help with nausea. Most of the time, these discomforts gradually subside by the start of the second trimester, around 14 weeks.
When do these difficulties begin, increase, and decrease?
This can vary from person to person, but it usually goes like this:
- When it starts: These symptoms can start as early as 6 weeks after you find out you're pregnant. Most people experience these symptoms before 9 weeks.
- Peak: Most people experience these discomforts between weeks 8 and 10. You may experience a little more nausea and vomiting during this time. But remember, this is not the same for everyone.
- It subsides: Morning sickness usually subsides by about 13 to 14 weeks, which is the end of the first trimester. However, some women may experience some discomfort until the beginning of the second trimester. In very rare cases, this condition may persist until the end of the pregnancy.
What are the symptoms of morning sickness?
The main symptoms are stomach discomfort (nausea), loss of appetite, and vomiting. But some people may experience this in different ways. Consider this:
- Heartburn or reflux: A burning sensation in the chest, like a burning sensation in the throat.
- Seasickness or motion sickness: A feeling of being sick, like when riding a bus.
- Throat tightness: Discomfort, as if there is something stuck in the throat.
- Feeling like you're hungry: Feeling like you're hungry but feeling uncomfortable when you go to eat.
Why are these difficulties occurring?
Although the exact cause of this is not known, doctors believe that it is caused by a combination of various changes and chemical processes in the body. The main factors that can contribute to this are:
- Low blood sugar.
- Increased levels of hormones specific to pregnancy: especially the rapid increase in hormones called hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) and estrogen .
- Blood pressure fluctuations.
- Changes in metabolism.
What are the things that make this situation worse?
Some things can make your morning sickness worse.
- Stress and anxiety.
- Feeling of excessive fatigue in the body.
- Eating or smelling certain foods (for example, some people may find the smell of meat, fish, or even the smell of rice cooking uncomfortable).
- Motion sickness.
- Excessive heat.
Can this be dangerous? - Let's learn about Hyperemesis Gravidarum
Yes, sometimes this condition can be severe. A person with normal morning sickness may feel nauseous for a few moments a day and vomit once or twice. But when this becomes severe, we call it Hyperemesis Gravidarum .
Hyperemesis Gravidarum is a condition that is much more severe than normal morning sickness and requires medical attention. It is not something to ignore.
In this condition, nausea can last for hours throughout the day, and vomiting can occur more than four or five times a day.
| Severe Symptoms of Hyperemesis Gravidarum | |
|---|---|
| Vomiting | Vomiting more than three times a day. |
| Severe Dehydration | Symptoms include very little or no urination, dark yellow/brown urine, and dizziness when standing. |
| Weight loss | Losing 10 pounds (4.5 kilograms) or more in body weight. |
If you have a severe case like this, you should see a doctor immediately . You may need to be hospitalized and given IV fluids and medication to control nausea.
What can we do to reduce these inconveniences?
Living with these discomforts is not easy. But there are many simple things you can do to find relief. Small changes to your diet and lifestyle can make a big difference.
Simple changes you can make to your diet
| What to do | Description |
|---|---|
| Breakfast | Eat two or three crackers or a slice of bread before getting out of bed in the morning. This can help relieve some stomach discomfort. |
| Meals | Instead of 3 large meals, eat 5-6 small meals a day. Don't eat on an empty stomach. |
| Things to avoid | Avoid oily, spicy, and highly seasoned foods. |
| Suitable food | Eat bland, easy-to-digest foods like bananas, rice, toasted bread, boiled potatoes, soups, and eggs. |
| Snacks | Eat something high in protein, such as yogurt, an apple with some peanut butter, cheese, or nuts, for your main meal. |
| Liquids | Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Reduce caffeine-containing drinks like tea and coffee. |
| Ginger | Make a tea with grated raw ginger and drink it. Sucking on ginger toffee also helps some people. |
Lifestyle changes you can make
- Take the prenatal vitamins your doctor has prescribed with food. If they contain iron, try to take them at bedtime.
- Stay away from things that make you uncomfortable, such as smells and bright lights.
- Get as much rest as possible. Nausea can increase when you are tired.
- Open the windows in the rooms to ensure good ventilation. It's also good to go outside for a bit and breathe in the fresh air.
- Smell pleasant scents like lemon, orange, and mint.
- Don't lie down after you finish eating.
- After vomiting, rinse your mouth thoroughly with water. This can help reduce the damage to your teeth from the acids in the vomit.
Other relief methods
Some people find relief from these methods, but you should definitely talk to your doctor before trying them.
- Acupressure wristband: These bands are believed to reduce nausea by applying pressure to specific points on the wrist.
- Acupuncture: The insertion of very fine needles into specific points on the body by a trained practitioner.
Most importantly: Do not use marijuana as a treatment for morning sickness. There is no evidence of its safety during pregnancy.
What is the medicine for this?
If home remedies don't relieve your discomfort, your doctor may recommend medication.
The first combination usually recommended is vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) and doxylamine . Although these can be purchased over the counter at a pharmacy, do not take any medication without first consulting your doctor.
There is also a medicine (Diclegis®) made by combining these two compounds, which is taken once a day and is absorbed by the body. It can only be taken if prescribed by a doctor.
If these don't control the nausea, other medications, such as antiemetics or antihistamines , may be prescribed. You and your doctor will decide together which treatment is best for you.
Will morning sickness harm the baby?
This is a fear that many mothers have. However, morning sickness, which ranges from normal to slightly more severe, is not harmful to you or your unborn baby.
However, if you are unable to keep anything down, are dehydrated and lose weight, it can be a problem. This means that you and your baby will not get the nutrition they need. Uncontrolled severe vomiting (Hyperemesis Gravidarum) can affect the baby's birth weight. This is why it is important to seek medical advice immediately if your symptoms are severe.
When should you definitely see a doctor?
Don't wait until vomiting becomes severe. Talking to your doctor about your discomfort early in your pregnancy can help prevent it from getting worse. Severe vomiting is not normal during pregnancy; it requires medical attention.
| Notify your doctor immediately if you have these symptoms: |
|---|
|
Sometimes severe nausea and vomiting can be a symptom of another medical condition. For example:
- Stomach ulcers
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Food poisoning
- Thyroid or gallbladder disease
- Inflammation of the appendix, stomach, pancreas, or liver
Therefore, if there are such symptoms, it is very important to look into them.
Take-Home Message
- Morning sickness is a very common condition during the first three months of pregnancy. It usually subsides by the second trimester.
- These problems can be largely controlled with simple changes in diet and lifestyle.
- Normal morning sickness is not harmful to the baby. However, don't ignore severe vomiting, dehydration, and weight loss.
- If nausea and vomiting are severe, you can't keep food or drink down, or you have other unusual symptoms, see your doctor immediately.
- Do not use any medication without consulting a doctor.
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