Morning sickness (nausea gravidarum) refers to nausea and vomiting, or just nausea without vomiting in pregnancy, typically occurring in the first few months. It is among the first signs of pregnancy and How long after conception does morning sickness start? It starts on about the 6th Week of pregnancy and may last till the 12th week. Despite its name, the nausea can affect pregnant women at any time of day. It is not a danger for the pregnant woman nor for her baby. However, excessive vomiting can have harmful consequences like dehydration.

Facts about Morning sickness

It can also be said to be the wellness insurance as normal morning sickness is a good sign in pregnancies. It means that the placenta is developing well. Future Mothers suffering from it are said to have a healthier pregnancy with minimum chance of miscarriage. A study also states that mothers suffering from this may have more intelligent babies. So this may help you to take a more positive stand towards this symptoms. It is believed that a higher level of hormones usually trigger this type of inconveniences. It is also important to take a Am I Pregnant Quiz to determine that the woman is pregnant or having other medical problems. Babies born to mothers who had sickness are also less likely to have birth defects, be born prematurely, or be small or have a low birth-weight. According to theory by Margie Profet, it is toxin avoiding mechanism of the body. The developing baby’s vulnerability to toxins peaks at about three months, more or less the time of the peak of susceptibility to morning sickness (after which symptoms tend to go down).

Symptoms of Morning sickness:

  • • Nausea
  • • Loss of appetite
  • • Food aversions
  • • Vomiting
  • • Enhanced sensitivity to smell
  • • Motion sickness(nausea during or after traveling by any means of transportation)
  • • Psychological effects, such as depression and anxiety.

Coping with Morning sickness

  • • Follow the Pregnancy Diet. Concentrate on that dynamic duo, protein and complex carbs, which are good for keeping nausea at bay — especially when eaten in combo
  • • Eat little and often to keep your sugar levels a bit high. Eating some biscuits may help with this. At breakfast, cold apple sauce, pears, bananas or any citrus fruit will help you feel satisfied early.
  • • Some foods (often fatty or spicy foods) will make you feel sick – avoid them and the smell of such foods items as far as you can.
  • • Plain foods such as baked potatoes and pasta are easy meals to try.
  • • Get plenty of rest.
  • • Physical activity is important as moving around maybe somewhat relieve mothers from morning sickness
  • • It is important to stay well hydrated by fluid intake as dehydration can lead to an increase in nausea.

Is medication advisable whilst suffering from morning sickness?

Medication for morning sickness should normally be taken as a last resort. Should the above techniques to cope with it be unfruitful or you just want to be relieved of the hassle then you may try pregnancy safe medications by contacting your medical practitioner. There are two types of medication: 1) Off the counter medications e.g B6 Vitamin, Reflux medicine (Zantac, Pepcid), Emetrol, Unisom Nighttime Sleep Aid (not the SleepGels) 2) Prescription medications e.g Zofran, Phenergan, Compazine However, it is advisable that drugs should be bought in consultation and help of the medical practitioner as he would be the best judge of the patient’s health needs.

Symptoms of Hyperemesis gravidarum
The symptoms of HG include repeated vomiting, weight loss and dehydration and the potential health complications are:

  • • Electrolyte imbalances
  • • Depression and anxiety
  • • Mal-nourishment of the fetus
  • • Excessive strain on vital organs, including the liver, heart, kidneys and brain.

Treatment usually involves hospitalisation, and the administering of intravenous liquids and nutrition.

Excessive or Severe Morning sickness

The medical term for severe morning sickness is “hyperemesis gravidarum” (which means “excessive vomiting during pregnancy”). The time-line is similar to morning sickness; however, it often begins earlier in the pregnancy, between weeks 4 and 5, and lasts longer. Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is a complication of pregnancy characterized by nausea, vomiting, and dehydration and is estimated to affect 0.5–2.0% of pregnant women. The mother may persistently vomit several times throughout the day unlike the normal the normal sickness symptoms. Causes of Hyperemesis gravidarum is an adverse reaction to the hormonal changes of pregnancy especially during the initial weeks of gestation whereby there is a series of hormonal changes going on within the mother’s body. Another postulated cause of HG is an increase in maternal levels of estrogens (decreasing intestinal motility and gastric emptying leading to nausea/vomiting). It may also be hereditary.