A common side effect of pregnancy is morning sickness, and this affects the majority of women, though the severity of the nausea will vary from woman to woman. Where some women are only sick in the morning, others suffer with it all day. Generally, morning sickness only occurs in the first three months of pregnancy, but some women find that they are still vomiting for four or five months into their pregnancy. Researchers and medical professionals are unsure why women suffer with morning sickness, but it’s believed that the imbalance of hormones caused by pregnancy leads to this problem. It’s also thought that vomiting and nausea is more common in women who are carrying twins or triplets. There is no risk to either the mother or the unborn baby from nausea or vomiting, as long as the woman remains well hydrated. Dehydration for prolonged periods of time could lead to a condition known as hyperemesis gravidarum, which you should seek medical attention for. Such a condition is usually managed in hospital and requires you to have fluids given via a drip. You can spot the signs of dehydration from thirst, passing smaller amounts of darker urine, and feeling dizzy or faint. If you spot these symptoms, contact your midwife or GP who can assess the situation and test your urine for ketones.
There are some ways you can manage your nausea, which includes taking your time to get out of bed in the morning – having a snack by your bedside, such as a dry biscuit, to eat when you first wake up can help. Throughout the day, eating little and often can help to keep your stomach full and to stop the nauseous feelings. As previously mentioned, becoming dehydrated can be dangerous, so make sure that you drink plenty of fluids – preferably 10 to 12 glasses of water or fruit juice each day. You should avoid alcohol and caffeine, as not only are these harmful to your baby but they’re also dehydrating. It’s also advised that you avoid spicy or fatty foods. Ginger is great for settling your stomach when you’re feeling sick, so foods and drinks which contain this natural ingredient could help to stave off the nausea and vomiting. Rest, is generally advised during pregnancy, and is great for helping morning sickness, so try to avoid overdoing it and avoid any sudden movements. Dry foods, such as crackers or toast, can help, but be sure to take time to digest your food properly. Interestingly, brushing your teeth straight after eating can make you vomit, so avoid this where possible. You should also avoid smells or foods which make your feel sick or make you vomit – getting plenty of fresh air can help, so try going for a walk to get some gentle exercise and some fresh air. Before you head to bed, try to avoid a heavy meal as this will make your problem worse – sleeping with the windows open to get some fresh air as you sleep can also help.
You should keep an eye on your morning sickness, as there are some things which may need medical attention. For example, if you become dehydrated, if you vomit more than three to four times a day, if your vomit has blood in it or you are concerned about its appearance, if you lose weight, if none of the remedies seem to work for you, or if you’re concerned that something may be seriously wrong. If you spot one or more of these signs, you should contact your GP or midwife as there could be a problem which requires treatment. They will then test your urine for ketones, as a way of assessing how dehydrated you are. They may prescribe you an anti-sickness tablet to help you manage your symptoms – they will prescribe those which are also safe for your baby.
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