Morning sickness which is also known as misnomer in medical terms is the nausea and vomiting associated with pregnancy. For some pregnant women, the symptoms are worst in the morning but can ease up during the day, but morning sickness can act up at any time and last all day long. Typically, about three quarters of pregnant women experience nausea and sometimes vomiting during their first trimester. Although it can begin as early as four weeks, nausea usually starts around six weeks of pregnancy. About half of the women who suffer from morning sickness feel complete relief by about 14 weeks. But, for most of the rest of the woman it might take takes another month or so for the nausea to ease up. A small group of women suffer from severe morning sickness which turns into hyperemesis gracidarum. It is unrelenting and excessive nausea and vomiting that prevents the absorption of the right amounts of food and liquids. It could lead to weight loss and the woman becoming dehydrated.
It is unknown what the exact cause of morning sickness it. Most likely it has to do with the raising hormone levels within a woman’s body that are produced after she has conceived. Although we don’t know the exact cause, we do know that certain types of women are more likely to get morning sickness then others. Typically those who are pregnant with twins or higher multiples are more likely to suffer from morning sickness. This may be due to the higher levels of HCG, estrogen, or other hormones in their systems. Women who also have a history of vomiting or nausea after taking birth control pills are also more likely to suffer from morning sickness during pregnancy due to the body’s response to estrogen. Genetics might play a role with morning sickness as well. Women who have had mothers or sisters with severe morning sickness typically suffer from it as well. Plus, if the woman has had a history of migraine headaches, they are more likely to be ill with morning sickness during pregnancy.
There have been long debates as to whether morning sickness was different depending on if the women are carrying a boy or a girl. One study found that women who were carrying a girl more 50 percent more likely to be ill with morning sickness during their pregnancy. Although the less debatable topic is that women who are more likely to have a miscarriage are less likely to be suffering from morning sickness during that pregnancy. If the placenta or the baby were not developing properly, the women would have lower levels of pregnancy hormones in their system resulting in less nausea. But, plenty of women do not suffer from morning sickness and go on to have perfectly healthy babies.
There are several ways to ease the effects of morning sickness. A woman can change her eating habits by eating smaller meals more frequently during the day. Avoid the stomach being completely empty or completely full. Pregnant women can also make sure they get plenty of rest. They should also avoid sells and foods that aggravate their nausea. Some woman have also found relief through the use of acupressure or motion sickness bands.