Morning Sickness during Pregnancy

Approximately 50 percent of all pregnant women experience some degree of nausea and vomiting between the sixth and twelfth weeks of pregnancy. This condition is called Morning sickness, pregnancy sickness, vomiting of pregnancy or nausea gravidarum. Although it is considered normal during pregnancy, but more than half of the all pregnant women affected by morning sickness. It is also present in those women who take hormonal contraception or hormone replacement therapy. The condition of morning sickness can occur at any time of the day, but usually in the early hours of the morning and gradually reduces as the day progress.

Symptoms of Morning Sickness

Symptoms of morning sickness include abnormal vomiting, severe continual nausea, dizziness and ill feelings. In extreme cases vomiting may be severe that can results in dehydration, acidosis, malnutrition and substantial weight loss. Morning sickness doesn’t harm the baby nevertheless if you lose weight, along with sever vomiting. If this condition persists, it can endanger the fetus. This intense condition is called hyperemesis gravidarum and occurs approximately 1 in 300 pregnancies.

Proximate Causes of Morning Sickness

The condition of morning sickness is very common among pregnant ladies. Although the reason of the abnormal severe nausea is not clear but several theories exist in this regard. Several folk medical traditions claim that it is a nature’s way of cleaning toxins from the mother’s body. Now, most health experts believe that it is due to hormonal changes especially because of very high levels of the hormones estrogen and chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which is a hormone that is produced by placenta that continuously increases in quantity until the end of first trimester. High levels of chorionic gonadotropin are thought to over stimulate the brain centre that controls nausea and vomiting.

Other possible culprits of morning sickness include bile duct disease, drug toxicity, pancreatitis, low blood sugar levels, molar pregnancy, or carrying more than one baby problems and inflammatory bowel disorders. An enhanced sense of smell over stimulates normal nausea triggers. Increased levels of progesterone contribute to relax stomach and intestines which in turn cause excess stomach acid and displacement of digestive organs. Emotional stress and a high fat diet are other proximate causes of morning sickness. 

Useful Recommendations for Morning Sickness

To cope the condition of morning sickness attempt some home care suggestions that would definitely help alleviate morning sickness. Dietary and lifestyle changes may help you to prevent morning sickness.

• Eat small, frequent meals per day rather than three large meals. Include a diet high in protein and complex carbohydrates. 
• Avoid an unfilled stomach and accommodate food cravings and aversions.
• Add snack on whole-grain crackers with nut butters or cheese in your diet.  It will assist to keep your stomach full all the times.
• It is better to keep crackers or whole wheat toast near your bed and eat before arising. Make sure that you don’t go without food or drink because of nausea.
• Avoid eating fatty foods because a high fat diet can cause morning sickness.
• Perform slow and calm morning activities and don’t try to sit up or get out too quickly.
• Use of fresh lemons, cabbage, bananas, rice, applesauce, toast and tea are good for the health.
• Drink plenty of liquids but avoid immediate drinking of liquids after eating solid food. It is better to take liquids after 30 to 45 minutes.
• Keep your blood sugar levels within normal range by eating and drinking small portions of frequent meals.
• Avoid smoking cigarettes and try to get extra sleep to minimize stress as much as possible.

Nutritional Approach towards Morning Sickness

Dietary and nutritional approach is helpful for pregnancy associated with vomiting and nausea. There are numerous nutrients, vitamins, herbs and supplements that have valuable effects on morning sickness. Use of Vitamin B6 is good for pregnant ladies because it shows its healthful effects on nausea and vomiting and lessens the risks of morning sickness. Ginger is good for the condition of morning sickness because it can improve digestion, nausea and vomiting. Peppermint owes its beneficial value to menthol which has stomach soothing effects and can treat stomach distress. Raspberry leaves have good effects on women related problems including menstrual cramps, morning sickness and labor pains.  Other useful herbs that help improve morning sickness include catnip, dandelion & black horehound. Cabbage, peach and citrus fruits are also a healthy addition in your diet.