Morning sickness is one of the most common pregnancy symptoms. About 80% of women will experience this type of nausea, which can have a major impact on the quality of life. This condition typically develops in the first trimester, but can continue throughout the entire pregnancy.
While there is no cure for morning sickness, there are treatments that can ease the discomfort. The key is to avoid foods that trigger vomiting. You may be able to get around the symptoms by eating a small meal or snack every few hours. If you are experiencing severe symptoms, you may need to eat smaller meals more often, and you might need to add in extra protein, carbohydrates, or dry food.
Morning sickness can make it hard for you to keep down food or fluids. It can also be difficult to get sleep. Some physicians recommend wearing pressure point wrist bands or taking doxylamine, a mild over-the-counter drug, to help you relax and fall asleep.
If you are experiencing a severe case of morning sickness, your doctor may suggest that you undergo an ultrasound scan to check for any underlying medical problems. Your doctor may also prescribe medication or recommend that you take supplements to ease the symptoms.
To avoid morning sickness, it’s important to drink plenty of water. You’ll want to try to eat five or six small meals a day. Make sure to avoid acidic foods, which can upset your stomach. Also, avoid fried foods. Instead, choose a low-fat diet.
Some women have a sensitive stomach, or they might have a history of motion sickness, migraine headaches, or other health conditions. Eating light, bland foods, or taking a prenatal vitamin can help. Try to eat food that is easy to digest, such as bananas, oatmeal, or pasta. For snacks, you can eat crackers or ginger ale. Ginger is thought to help relax GI muscles, and can be found in a variety of forms.
Pregnancy hormones can be responsible for triggering nausea. The body produces higher levels of progesterone, which helps relax the muscles in the digestive tract. In addition, the fetus releases proteins that are believed to be part of the cause of morning sickness.
Other causes of nausea may include a thyroid problem, an enlarged thyroid gland, or a family history of this condition. If you are experiencing any symptoms, see your doctor immediately. During your first pregnancy, you can’t know if you will develop the condition again, but if you have had it before, you’ll probably be more likely to have it again.
As for the cause of morning sickness, experts do not fully understand the process. They speculate that there is an evolutionary reason behind the condition. Since pregnancy is a time when your fetus is rapidly developing, it may be natural for your body to produce extra hormones in order to protect it.
One of the best ways to prevent morning sickness is to eat a healthy diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Avoiding fatty, fried, or acidic foods will help you stay hydrated and avoid feeling too full.
