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Morning
Sickness
What
is morning sickness?
This is a common complaint of women in the early
months of their pregnancy. It refers to a feeling of nausea or actual vomiting.
It is particularly common during the first trimester
(three months) of a pregnancy. In rare cases, morning sickness is still experienced
after the first trimester.
Morning sickness, despite its name, may occur at
any time during the day although it is indeed commonest in the morning. The
medical name for morning sickness is nausea gravidarum. Severe vomiting is referred
to as hyperemesis gravidarum.
What
causes morning sickness?
The exact cause is unknown but it is almost definitely
related to hormonal changes which take place during pregnancy. It may also be
associated with an imbalance in blood sugar levels.
What
are the symptoms of morning sickness?
- Nausea (the feeling that you are going to throw
up).
- Vomiting.
Can
morning sickness harm my baby?
The morning sickness most women experience is not
harmful to a baby as long as the woman is eating a well-balanced diet and is
getting enough fluids. Most women soon realise what they can and can't eat.
What
are the complications of morning sickness?
Most women who suffer morning sickness suffer no
complications. In rare cases, the vomiting becomes severe and prolonged, a condition
known as hyperemesis gravidarum. This may cause dehydration, nutritional deficiencies
and weight loss.
The symptoms to watch out for are:
- Thirst.
- Dizziness or fainting.
- Passing less urine than normal or passing urine
that is dark.
These symptoms suggest dehydration and require
medical attention. Women who become dehydrated need to be admitted to hospital
for replacement of lost fluids and chemicals through a drip. If treated quickly,
dehydration will not harm your baby.
What
can be done to stop or reduce morning sickness?
- Eat small meals frequently, even if you are
not hungry. Eating a small amount every two to three hours is much better
then having two or three large meals. An empty stomach will increase the chances
of nausea. Foods high in protein and carbohydrates can help fight nausea.
Avoid spicy and fatty foods.
- Drink plenty of fluid. Aim for 10 —12 glasses
a day. However avoid alcohol and drinks containing caffeine.
- Avoid stressful situations and try to relax
as often as possible.
- Try to get fresh air every day even if this
is just by taking a short walk.
- It may help to eat a small snack before you
go to bed or as soon as you wake up. Leave a snack such as crackers next to
your bed for when you wake up. .
- Take it slowly when you are getting out of bed.
- Do not brush your teeth immediately after eating
as this can cause vomiting.
- Some women find ginger tea helpful in settling
their nausea.
If you have any queries or worries regarding morning
sickness, visit your doctor.
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