Morning Sickness – Sign of a healthy pregnancy?
Do you have a morning sickness struggle? If so, be comfortable with this: it may actually be a sign of a healthy pregnancy.
When there is any talk about pregnancy, the term ‘ morning sickness’ has become an absolutely necessary mention. Both are so inextricably linked together that any mention of one without the other could send alarm bells in the head of a woman. Nausea suffering is never a pleasant feeling, even if you may or may not have a baby. But it’s more than just the tendency to throw up and have morning sickness might actually be a sign of a sustained and well-formed pregnancy.
What Is Morning Sickness?
Very often, morning sickness is the first sign of pregnancy. A name misnomer, it’s not an alarming sickness, nor does it happen in the morning at all times. It refers to nausea and vomiting symptoms that typically start in the morning and usually resolve as the day progresses. So, don’t worry if you’re vomiting in and out of the bathroom, you’re not alone. Here are some natural facts, symptoms, and useful ways to deal with morning sickness.
Most women who are pregnant suffer from morning sickness. During the first trimester, it is most common. However, for some women, the effects of pregnancy nausea and vomiting persist throughout their pregnancy with symptoms extending to delivery. There is usually no need for professional treatment for this.
Causes Of Morning Sickness:
Most women complain of nausea as the most common symptom during pregnancy. While there is no specific cause, the human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) hormone appears to be associated with nausea and production. Medically, once the fertilized egg attaches itself to the uterine lining, this pregnancy hormone is produced by the body. Although the exact connection between hCG and nausea is unknown, it is true that the two peak at about the same time. That’s why experts are assuming they have a clear connection.
The exact causes of morning sickness are still unknown during pregnancy. Most experts agree, however, that hormonal changes are likely to play a vital role. These include the following:
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Levels Of Estrogen:
Compared to levels found in women who are not pregnant, this hormone can increase significantly during pregnancy. Changed levels of hormones can cause sickness in the morning.
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Level Of Progesterone:
Progesterone levels also rise during pregnancy. Higher levels of hormones relax the muscles of the uterus (womb) to prevent early birth. However, excess stomach acids accumulate causing gastroesophageal disease or acid reflux due to relaxation of the stomach and intestines.
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Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG):
As discussed, this hormone is produced soon after conception by the developing embryo and then by the placenta. HCG and morning sickness may have a potential connection.
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Smell Sensation:
You may experience an increase in sensitivity to strong odors when you are pregnant, which may further exacerbate your nausea.
A pregnant woman may also secrete increased saliva, increase sensitivity to certain odors, and feel changes in some food’s taste.
Remember, the pregnancy may not cause all vomiting.
Other contributing factors could be:
- A sensitive stomach can make morning sickness worse
- A urinary tract infection can also be a possible cause.
- Stress or fatigue, cause a physical response inside the body, prompting nausea and vomiting.
Some pregnant women may experience excessive pregnancy nausea and vomiting. Over the course of the day, they may feel sick many times and be unable to keep food or drink, greatly impacting daily life.
Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) is known as excessive vomiting and often requires advanced care. What causes HG, or why certain women are susceptible to it, is not known. Experts believe it is associated with the changing hormones that occur during pregnancy in the body.
Signs And Symptoms Of Morning Disease
Most women during pregnancy suffer from both nausea and vomiting. Symptoms and intensity may vary depending on overall fitness, eating habits and genetic impact. Morning sickness ‘ most common symptoms include:
- Sensation of queasy and nausea
- Appetite loss
- Aversion towards certain foods
- Dehydration
- Depression – You may not be able to do daily work or take care of your home when there is severe vomiting. It can affect your relationship with your surroundings and cause depression.
- Sensation of weakness or lightness
After waking up in the morning, the queasiness could start or be triggered by certain smells. The feeling of nausea and anxiety can occur at any time of the day and can go on for weeks or even months.
Symptom intensity varies from person to person. During pregnancy, nausea and vomiting improve after 12th week for most pregnant women. These symptoms can, unfortunately, affect their entire pregnancy for some.
When Does The Morning Sickness Normally Begin And End During Pregnancy?
In the first trimester, nausea and morning sickness begin within 4 to 8 weeks of gestation and decreases from 13 to 14 weeks. It can also begin earlier and last longer, however. For the entire period of the first quarter, every woman does not experience nausea. It could take just a few weeks or come and go during the first few months.
Treatments:
Morning sickness can have a major impact on the quality of life of a mother. Family and friends ‘ loving support helps greatly in overcoming common health issues during pregnancy. Some dietary changes are usually all that is needed to treat morning sickness and get plenty of rest. Doctors advise you to take necessary medical treatments as a remedy for morning sickness depending on the severity of your symptoms.
There are a few over – the – counter treatments available for morning sickness that can help address your specific issue.
1. Medical Therapy:
- Vitamin B6 helps expectant mothers to cope with mild to moderate nausea.
- Antihistamines, which are easily available in forms such as doxylamine, are used during pregnancy to treat vomiting and nausea. It may also be prescribed as an initial morning sickness treatment to have a combination of vitamin B6 and doxylamine.
- Zantac or Pepcid are medicines for reflux that sometimes work if the stomach or intestinal problems cause your nausea.
2. Natural Remedies:
There are some natural home remedies that our mothers and grandmas swear about dusting away your question about how to deal with pregnancy in the morning. If you experience mild nausea and vomiting, taking simple measures during pregnancy may be sufficient as a remedy for morning sickness. Hard evidence does not support these suggestions, but they are commonly recommended by obstetricians.
- Slowly and frequently eat small meals and snacks all day long, so your stomach never is empty.
- Protein-rich foods and carbohydrates could be useful. After eating don’t lie down, because digestion can be delayed.
- Snacking on fruits, nuts, and crackers can also help you feel better when you wake up at midnight when you feel nauseated.
- Take your time in the morning to get up–wait a while on the bed.
- Avoid eating oily foods and exposing yourself to odors that cause your nausea.
- As steaming hot foods tend to have a stronger aroma, eat dishes served cold or at room temperature.
- Do not eat foods that are fatty, deep fried, acidic or junk because they can slow down your digestive system.
- Drink fluids between meals, but at one go don’t drink too much to make your stomach full. Throughout the day, sipping fluids regularly is a good way to remain hydrated without filling.
- If possible, sip peppermint tea or suck peppermint sweets especially after meals as it may relieve nausea.
- Aromatherapy is useful for some women who find refreshing the fragrances of lemon, mint or orange.
If these home remedies do not help, consult your doctor for your particular problem with anti – nausea medicines.
Morning Sickness Risks & Complications?
Morning sickness is generally a common characteristic of pregnancy and has very low risk. It doesn’t need medical attention unless it leads to dehydration or makes you feel too ill.
HG affects only about 1 percent of pregnant women, according to the National Institutes of Health, and usually goes away during the second half of pregnancy, and typically does not cause serious complications in the mother or child.
When is it necessary to seek help?
If you find that you are too affected by the sickness and vomiting during pregnancy, you may need medical intervention. And if you experience any of these symptoms, please discuss your situation with your doctor:
- If the symptoms become too severe to cope with.
- Can not take your regular intake of food and water.
- Lose weight too fast.
- Fluid consumption drops drastically.
- Fever, headaches or abdominal pain are associated with vomiting.
Morning sickness and other pregnancy health concerns may cause temporary discomfort. All mothers, however, learn to cope with mechanisms to focus on the care they need to take for a successful pregnancy.
Do not let your normal life be affected by the pains of constant nausea, vomiting and resulting fatigue. After nine months of pregnancy, a positive approach and hope to hold your baby should help you deal with morning sickness experience.
Also Read: Why am I so constipated during my pregnancy?
