Morning sickness otherwise known as Hyperemesis Gravidarum is a condition of pregnant women during the first trimester characterized by severe nausea, weight loss and sometimes electrolyte disturbance. Although, as the name indicates, it occurs in the morning, it may last throughout the day for some women. Since each woman and each pregnancy is different there is no timeframe for morning sickness to stop. Unless and until it becomes severe, causing dehydration and loss in weight morning sickness is not a symptom to be worried of and it does not affect the baby. On the other hand, it is a good sign because it means the placenta and fetal membrane are developing well.
Though it is difficult to pin point one a single reason, there may be various causes for morning sickness, the most prominent one being the sudden increase in hormones, enhanced sense of smell and stomach and also the stress and fatigue accompanying pregnancy. Progesterone, a hormone dominant during pregnancy, helps to prevent miscarriages and helps in the digestion of food. Therefore morning sickness should not be averted.
Eventhough morning sickness cannot be totally prevented; there are certain precautions that can be taken. Eating frequent (6 to 8) small meals instead of 3 full meals a day, avoiding fatty fried and spicy foods, eating starchy snacks, drinking carbonated drinks like ginger, drinking water in between meals, taking prenatal vitamin tablets at night and not in the morning, avoiding food and smell that increase nausea, taking ample rest and mild exercises will help a long way in overcoming morning sickness during pregnancy. Sometimes cold foods are better since they don’t smell as much.
If vomiting persists excessively, it is always better to consult a physician because excessive vomiting may cause dehydration, which would be dangerous for the baby and the mother as well. Persistent nausea may make going to office or doing other daily work very difficult.
A few home remedies for morning sickness are :
- Drink a mixture of ½ tsp ginger juice 1 tsp fresh limejuice, 1 tsp mint juice and 1 tsp honey-3 to 4 times a day.
- 2 tsp of fresh limejuice, extraction of 15 to 20 fresh curry leaves and 1 tsp of honey – this mixture can be taken 3 to 4 times a day.
Generally there are certain remedies that can be followed.
- Avoid warm places since heat can increase the nausea feelings.
- Tiredness also results in nausea. So take a nap at daytime.
- In the morning, get out of bed slowly.
- Get adequate sleep at night.
- Before getting out of bed in the morning, try to eat plain crackers or dry cereal
- Usually microwave ovens produce fewer odors.
Wearing ‘acupressure’ wrist bands (used by passengers to prevent seasickness) might help to prevent morning sickness.
Though morning sickness is a good sign of healthy pregnancy, lack of morning sickness does not mean any harm to the baby or the mother who can enjoy the early part of pregnancy.
By : Lesley Lyon
