Nausea and other discomfort are common during the first trimester of the pregnancy. Almost all expectant mothers go through it though some women suffer these symptoms in greater intensity. Find out how you can cope with pregnancy morning sickness. Is there any cure for morning sickness? Check out answers to these and more!
Pregnancy morning sickness
Soon upon conception, the woman's body goes through major changes to gear itself up to sustain a growing fetus. The uterus expands and hormone production is stepped up. Typically most pregnant women experience nausea and vomiting after about 6 weeks of pregnancy. Though this is referred to as morning sickness, these symptoms can appear at any time of the day. In most cases, the nausea is particularly more as soon as you get up.
Pregnancy morning sickness is usually accompanied by an increased sense of smell and sensitivity to odors. There may be unusual food cravings. Pregnant women may also experience giddiness and lightheadedness. This is on account of dilated blood vessels that have not been filled up with sufficient blood volume. In most cases, pregnancy morning sickness disappears after the fourth month of pregnancy. But in a few women it may last throughout the pregnancy.
Hyperemesis gravidarum is a condition where the pregnant woman has excessive vomiting and is not able to keep down any food or water. This leads to a dangerous situation where there might be dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. Such cases are usually managed in a hospital so as to carefully monitor the growing fetus.
The discomfort associated with pregnancy morning sickness is attributed to rising levels of hormone hCG that take place in the early months of pregnancy. Women who are carrying twins are likely to face more than average pregnancy morning sickness, though there are exceptions to the rule. Pregnancy morning sickness is more pronounced in women suffering from migraine headaches and motion sickness. Emotional stress and certain foods are also likely to increase the discomfort of pregnancy morning sickness.
Many a woman is worried that pregnancy morning sickness will harm the baby. This is not so as long as the expectant mother takes plenty of fluids and is able to keep some food down. Some women do not gain any weight during this period but once the symptoms of pregnancy morning sickness disappear, the appetite returns to normal.
Women suffering from morning sickness must get up slowly and take frequent rest breaks. Munching on soda crackers or dry toast on arising works as a cure for morning sickness. Eating small meals at regular intervals might help in ensuring that the stomach is never empty.. Avoid warm places as they tend to aggravate nausea.