Many women suffer from morning sickness while they are pregnant, generally during the first three months. The following is a helpful article about what causes it and how to alleviate it. Luckily, morning sickness eventually ends.
Stop the Morning Sickness Queasy Feeling
You've just found out that you're pregnant and are over the moon - so why that sinking sickness every morning? Between half and three quarters of all pregnant women suffer from sickness in the first three months or so of pregnancy.
Although it is commonly worse in the mornings (hence, morning sickness), some women also feel sick during the afternoon and the evening. For some women morning sickness is feeling a bit off colour for a few mornings and for others it can mean feeling very rough, and being sick for days at a time.
"I heard about morning sickness, and thought I knew what to expect. But I felt sick 24 hours a day for three whole months," said Mary, a 23-year old musician. "I craved spicy food all the time, but I couldn't eat anything but toast. When I finally thought I couldn't take it anymore, it disappeared.
What causes morning sickness?
The hormone human chorionic gonadtropin (HCG) racing around your body in early pregnancy combined with blood sugar level changes are thought to cause morning sickness. Morning sickness is usually a sign of a healthy pregnancy and usually disappears after the first 3 months of pregnancy.
What can I do to feel better?
There are lots of ways to help combat morning sickness that are worth trying. Talk to other mums to see what worked for them and speak to your midwife.
- Keep some bland crackers or biscuits by your bed. A biscuit and a cup of weak tea 20 minutes before you get out of bed may help reduce the sickness.
- Eating small meals frequently throughout the day usually helps.
- Eat foods that are high in carbohydrate, such as bread and potatoes, to help soak up stomach acids. Foods high in protein are also easy to stomach and digest.
- Try and avoid greasy and fatty foods, as they tend to make the sickness worse.
- Simple antacid medicines may also help - have a chat with your chemist or GP.
- Ginger is a traditional remedy for morning sickness that many women swear by. Try taking it in ginger tea, drink ginger ale or nibble on a ginger biscuit.
- Some women find that sucking on a slice of lemon works.
What if I am being sick a lot of the time?
A few women have severe vomiting, and most put up with the symptoms until they wear off, but if you find that you cannot keep anything down or have any of the symptoms below, you should see your GP.
- You have been vomiting for 12 hours or more
- You feel faint, lightheaded or dizzy
- You see no improvement over a few days
- You are losing more than a few pounds in weight
- You are becoming dehydrated - you have a dry mouth and are not producing very much urine
- You have a fever
- There is blood in the vomit
This condition, known as hyperemesis gravidarum, is very rare and treatment should be sought immediately.
Morning sickness can be an uncomfortable part of pregnancy, and when it is happening to you it may seem like it will never stop. Remember, however, that it will eventually end, allowing you to enjoy your pregnancy even more afterwards.
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