Morning sickness, also called pregnancy sickness, is nausea during pregnancy. It may or may not include vomiting. It occurs not just in the morning but at any time of the day, especially when the woman’s stomach is empty.
Morning sickness affects up to one-half of all expectant mothers. It is most common during the first trimester of pregnancy. However, some will not experience it until the second trimester. In a few cases, it is not experienced throughout the pregnancy.
If the nausea and vomiting worsen and persist, the woman may have developed a rare condition known as hyperemesis gravidarum. This is an exaggerated form of morning sickness and it occurs in fewer than one in 250 pregnancies. Aside from frequent nausea and vomiting, the symptoms of this condition includes weight loss, starvation and signs of dehydration including dry lips and tongue, rapid breathing, increased heart rate and severe thirst. Immediate hospitalization is needed in such cases.
Causes and Risk Factors
There is still no clear information on why morning sickness occurs. What the experts are sure of is that the neurologic control for nausea and vomiting can be found in the brain stem. There have been suggested physical reasons why this part of the body may be overstimulated when the woman is pregnant. One of these is the high level of HCG, the pregnancy hormone, in the blood in the first trimester, as well as the relaxation of the tissue in the stomach and intestines, the fast stretching of the muscles of the uterus and the excess acid in the digestive tract caused by not eating right or not eating at all.
Emotional factors can also trigger morning sickness. What is interesting is that morning sickness doesn’t seem to occur in primitive societies where people have simpler and more relaxed lifestyles. There is also evidence that women with unplanned or unwanted pregnancies tend to suffer more debilitating vomiting and nausea. It is also believed that women who are very happy with their pregnancies experience no morning sickness. It is also more severe and common in first pregnancies; thus the theory that there are emotional triggers involved is supported.
Treatment
If you’re looking for approved medication for morning sickness, you’ll be disappointed to know that there is none available. However, your doctor may recommend trying some treatments that are medication-based including vitamin B6, antacids, sugar solution and antihistamine. You have to remember, though, that you MUST consult your doctor before trying any of these and taking any medication.