Morning Sickness

Morning sickness, also known as nausea gravidarum, nausea and vomiting of pregnancy, pregnancy sickness, is a condition, which affects more than half of all 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 nausea and vomiting of pregnancy at night. Often this condition 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 also cause dehydration and also weight loss. The extreme case of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy is caused in about 1% of all the 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 of Morning Sickness

It is very difficult to figure the exact cause of this condition. Some of the causes include, the increased level of 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 during pregnancy and vomiting, 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 the intestines, and leads to excess stomach acids and gastro-esophageal reflux disease. In some cases, nausea and vomiting during pregnancy 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.

Morning Sickness Remedies

The cures for this condition are relatively simple measures, which are sufficient enough to help. However, most of the measures, do not have any hard evidence, but they are often recommended by obstetricians and 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 with proteins. The first thing in the morning, you can nibble on few crackers, rest for 20 to 30 minutes, before you actually get out of bed.

It is recommended, that women avoids 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 tends 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 liquids at any given point of time. However, make it a point to drink, small amounts of fluids all through the day to avoid dehydration. Make sure, you do get plenty of rest all through the day. Sniffing on lemons and ginger may also help in reducing nausea. If you like, you may want to drink 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 they add up to the nausea.

If you suffer from excessive nausea and vomiting, then it is recommended, 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 health care professional immediately.