Morning sickness
Morning sickness is one of the classic signs of pregnancy which affects more than half of all pregnant women. It can begin from as early as 5 or 6 weeks but usually improves or disappears by the end of the first trimester although some unlucky women can be affected throughout the whole of pregnancy.
The term is misleading because it can affect you at any time of day, and whilst vomiting may occur, you may just experience feelings of nausea which can be accompanied by feeling dizzy or faint.
By enlarge, morning sickness is not harmful to you or your baby, it can just be extremely unpleasant. However, in extreme cases severe vomiting, known as hyperemesis gravidarum can cause weight loss and dehydration as well as interfering with nutrition. In this case, medical advice should be sought as hospital treatment may be required.
The exact cause of morning sickness is unknown but it is thought to be linked to hormone levels. The levels of HCG increase during early pregnancy and then decrease after the first trimester which is when morning sickness is most common.
It can be triggered by a number of factors including low blood sugar (which is why it is often experienced in the morning, hence the name when you get up with an empty stomach); certain aromas; brushing your teeth; being tired, anxious or changing position too quickly.
Tips for combating morning sickness:
" Avoid having an empty stomach and eat small frequent meals as opposed to three big meals a day.
" If you experience sickness first thing, keep a snack by your bed to eat when you wake up. Allow it to digest for a few minutes before slowly getting out of bed.
" Eat bland food such as dry toast when you experience an onset of nausea.
" Drink plenty of fluid to avoid dehydration, and particularly steer clear of caffeine and alcohol.
" Ginger is widely reported as a remedy for nausea and can be taken in the form of tea or biscuits.
" Acupressure has helped some people. Try wearing some acupressure bands which apply pressure to points on your wrists
