The Morning Sickness Defense

Morning sickness, or nausea and vomiting during pregnancy is a common condition, and occurs in about 70% of pregnancies. Despite the medical term "morning sickness", a lot of women have nausea and vomiting all day, often into the evening. The most common cause is sudden elevation of the human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) hormone which stimulates your liver to produce bile. Symptoms usually present around week 6 of pregnancy and usually improve during the second trimester. Morning sickness is a sign that your body is adjusting to pregnancy.

What causes morning sickness?

No one knows exactly what causes morning sickness in pregnancy but there are a number of theories. It has been though to be one of the many hormone related events during pregnancy. It may be caused by low blood sugar, or the rise in hormones such as HCG or estrogen. Morning sickness can also be worsened by eating certain foods, stress, or having a sensitivity to motion.

Can morning sickness hurt my baby?

Many women are concerned that their morning sickness could be damaging their baby. Morning sickness is often made up of bouts of nausea and vomiting, which can last for hours. But despite your discomfort and possibly vomiting a few times each day, your baby will not be affected.

Morning sickness symptoms

Typical symptoms of morning sickness include:

• A nauseous, queasy feeling in the first trimester of pregnancy that many pregnant women liken to seasickness or car sickness

• Queasiness that often comes in the morning but can surface at any time of the day or night
• Strong aversions to certain smells and foods that are so powerful they can make you sick to your stomach
• A seasick feeling that's often either accompanied or immediately followed by hunger pangs
• A nausea that strikes after eating
• A nausea that's so strong it can lead to vomiting

Remedies

• Try eating dry toast or crackers in the morning before you get out of bed to avoid moving around on an empty stomach.
• Drink fluids often, but in small amounts
• Eat small frequent meals or snacks like saltine crackers and ginger ale made with real ginger) can be helpful.
• Try bland foods such as the “BRAT” diet (bread, bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast)
• Avoid dairy products, citrus, red meats, and fried foods
• Avoid smells that bother you
• Try over the counter vitamin B6, Preggie Pops, or sea bands

**If you are unable to keep any food or fluids down please call your medical provider's office. If you begin to feel weak, dizzy, have a fast heartbeat, noticed a decrease in urination/dark urine, or your mouth becomes very dry– call your office or go to the ER.**