Take A Pass On Morning Sickness

Are you looking forward to getting pregnant, but not to morning sickness? Of course! No one wants to experience nausea and vomiting at any time, and definitely not during the days and months that are supposed to be filled with joy. But, for many, morning sickness is just going to happen. Typically, it starts a few weeks into the pregnancy and is over by the beginning of the fourth month. We all have friends or family members who did not experience a “typical” pregnancy. For them, morning sickness was a constant companion during the majority of the 40 weeks. Ugh. The statistics jump all over the place, but most women will experience morning sickness. Some healthcare professionals believe that morning sickness is a good sign, as it indicates a strong pregnancy, so that’s a plus . . . right? If you end up in the majority and have morning sickness, there are things you can do to alleviate the nausea. We recommend that you start out by wearing a ReliefBand, because, you know, that’s who we are and we know that it works for a lot of pregnant women. Also, eating a little bit several times a day seems to help. It’s enough to keep the stomach acids from getting to you but not so much that you’re stuffed and uncomfortable. Eat foods that make sense – nothing greasy or fatty. And nothing too smelly – food smells can bring on the nausea. Make sure you get plenty of fluids throughout the day. It helps to stay hydrated. Some people put lemon slices in their water or tea because they feel it helps with the nausea. Ginger is a favorite of those experiencing nausea from motion or morning sickness. Ginger tea might do the trick. There’s a form of extreme morning sickness called hyperemesis gravidarum. If you have any questions or concerns about what you’re experiencing during pregnancy, call your healthcare provider to discuss your symptoms. Morning sickness is normal, but hyperemesis gravidarum can put you in the hospital. Don’t hesitate to talk to someone if your nausea is too much.   Image courtesy of Pixabay

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Morning Sickness To The Extreme

Morning sickness can occur at any time of day. Some believe that the motion of getting out of bed in the morning triggers the feeling of nausea, which may indicate where the time-of-day reference got its name. You may or may not vomit when you have regular morning sickness, but you will feel nauseated. Regular morning sickness usually ends as you get into your second trimester. Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is severe morning sickness. It also begins in the first trimester and can end in the second trimester, or it may go on for most of the pregnancy. The Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, suffered from this severe form of morning sickness during both of her pregnancies. It’s important to know if you’re experiencing regular morning sickness or HG. You’ll want to talk to your healthcare provider about the difference, and take steps to care for yourself if you are suffering from this more serious form of morning sickness. Signs of HG that you might notice can include: Severe vomiting, possibly of blood Difficulty keeping liquids down Dizziness and possibly fainting Headache Body odor Extreme tiredness Racing heartbeat Less urine output, and it may be darker than normal in color Unusual and rapid weight loss Constipation Thirst due to dehydration from vomiting Your provider will run tests to confirm HG, and there are lots of treatment steps available. The important thing is to talk to your provider about any issue that troubles you during pregnancy. The earlier this problem is identified, the easier it is to take care of it.   Image: By rumpleteaser from Nagoya, Japan (6 Months) via Wikimedia Commons

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