My sudden rejection of fried chicken is the reason why I suspected I was pregnant. Sure enough, my test at home was positive, and as the weeks went by, so did my nausea. The smell of garlic is nauseating, the simple sight of fried eggs makes me lose my appetite, and even water won’t sit down. It was horrible, but also par for the course.
Morning sickness, which can occur at any point of the day, affects about 80% of pregnant women, according to Phabilla Afflack, MDan OB-GYN practicing in Calabasas, California, and a member of the practitioner collective for the perinatal nutrition brand It is necessary. But unlike a typical stomach ache, this nausea doesn’t go away within 24 to 48 hours, it lasts for several weeks. And sometimes, thanks to pregnancy prevention, the same foods you normally use to reduce nausea can make the situation worse.
This part of pregnancy is pretty rough, but the good news is that for most expectant parents, it eases by the end of the first trimester.
What is Morning Sickness?
Morning sickness is a condition unique to pregnancy in which the expectant parent experiences nausea and sometimes vomiting. It is called “morning sickness” because the symptoms are more likely to be felt earlier in the day, but really, a pregnant woman can experience them in the morning, noon, night, or around the clock. This dizziness can be triggered by certain foods or smells, or it can be present for no reason other than pregnancy. This is incredibly unpleasant for the expectant parent, but it is reassuring does not harm the fetusaccording to the American Academy of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG).
In addition to nausea and vomiting, a person suffering from morning sickness may also experience bloating, aversion to food, fatigue, and loss of appetite. ACOG says that morning sickness usually starts before the 9th week of pregnancy and goes away by the 14th week for most people.
What Causes Morning Sickness?
So what causes adverse pregnancy outcomes? Dr. explained Afflack, “Because many physiological adaptations occur during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester, it is difficult to know the exact cause. [of morning sickness].” However, there are several theories.
“One well-known reason is a pregnant woman’s enhanced sense of smell, known as hyperosmia, which can lead to aversion and nausea,” says Dr. Afflack. The cause of this pregnancy side effect is not fully known, but increased estrogen levels is the suspected perpetrator.
Someone else proposed include theories increased hormone levels, [such as estrogen, progesterone, and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)]hypoglycemia, and thyroid dysfunction.” Additionally, he says that genetics can play a part in the severity of morning sickness, especially for cases of hyperemesis gravidarum (more on that later). Dr. continued. Afflack, “There are also theories related to gut health that can affect nausea and vomiting including delayed gastric emptying, constipation, and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection.”
Whatever the reason behind your persistent nausea and vomiting, you’ll need coping strategies to overcome it.
How to Relieve the Symptoms of Morning Sickness
Most parents-to-be will know during pregnancy that they are more likely to experience morning sickness, but there is only so much you can do to prepare yourself for the reality of the symptoms. Once you’re in it, you quickly realize how much it can affect your daily life, and since you can’t ask the world to press pause until you’re through this stage of pregnancy, it’s necessary you find ways to cope.
Dr. explained Afflack says that treating morning sickness depends on the severity of the symptoms. However, most of the time, he says the symptoms can be treated at home. Some of his suggestions are eating smaller, more frequent meals, going outside for fresh air, moving slowly (especially when you get out of bed or standing), choosing cold food (because the smell of hot (which food can cause nausea) , acupuncture or acupressure, slowly sipping water throughout the day, and resting as much as possible.
He also says that what you put in your body during this time is incredibly important, and the right foods and supplements have the potential to relieve your dizziness. He advises trying to get enough protein as a way to avoid nausea. “Large changes in blood sugar levels can trigger nausea or make it worse. Protein powders like collagen peptides can support protein intake in pregnant people with nausea or vomiting. , “he says. Additionally, she recommends keeping protein- or fat-rich snacks nearby overnight, so you have something to grab quickly if you wake up feeling nauseous.
Finally, he says that nutritional supplementation can also help alleviate the symptoms of morning sickness. “Some nutritional supplements, such as B6 and ginger, are effective in controlling nausea. In fact, vitamin B6 is often used in combination with the drug doxylamine (Diclectin) for moderate to severe symptoms. Many prenatal vitamins include B6 in their formula, so if you want to try this supplement, make sure you’re not getting more than your suggested daily amount, which 25 milligrams three times a day (75 milligrams total per day).
As a reminder, you should not start taking supplements during pregnancy without first talking to your health care provider.
When Should You Be Concerned?
Between 1% to 3% of pregnant women will suffer hyperemesis gravidarum, which is excessive nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. A person experiencing this severe form of morning sickness will feel severe (if not debilitating) pain throughout the day, and the nausea and vomiting may last throughout the pregnancy. Although certainly terrifying for the parent-to-be, it is important to remember that this is not a sign that there is anything wrong with the baby, but your OB should be involved in your care and treatment, as they will want to make sure that you are reducing again. enough calories and fluids to maintain your own health and allow your baby to grow properly.
Regardless of whether you have hyperemesis gravidarum or just common morning sickness, Dr. Afflack that it is important to monitor your vomiting. “If morning sickness progresses to severe and persistent vomiting or the inability to store liquids or solids for 24 hours, it’s important to seek medical help,” he says. “This [degree of vomiting] can result in dehydration, acid-base imbalance, nutritional deficiencies, and significant weight loss.” Additionally, he said that if a pregnant woman has “dark colored urine or feels weak or dizzy, they should seek medical attention as soon as possible.”
If you are experiencing severe pain, you may be sent to the hospital so that you can be treated and monitor the baby. “Severe and persistent vomiting or the inability to keep liquids and solids down requires medical assistance in the form of intravenous fluids, motility medications, antiemetics, and other therapies that relieve symptoms and supports the consumption of more liquids and solids,” explains Dr. Affleck.
Unfortunately, there’s nothing you can do to speed up or get past the morning sickness phase of pregnancy—it’s something you just have to ride with. So, until you hit that magical 12- to 14-week mark, stock up on foods and drinks you can stomach, clear out the pantry and fridge of anything that makes your stomach churn, and try to hang in there at as much as you can.
