What exactly is Morning Sickness?

In early pregnancy, nausea and vomiting are very common, also known as morning sickness.
Many pregnant women experience morning sickness during the first trimester of their pregnancy.

Morning sickness, despite its name, can occur at any time of day or night. It usually begins around the sixth week of pregnancy, peaks around week nine, and subsides by weeks 16 to 18. Morning sickness, while unpleasant, is considered a normal part of a healthy pregnancy. However, it usually clears up by weeks 16 to 20 of your pregnancy and poses no risk to your baby.

What exactly is Severe Morning Sickness?

There is a chance of developing hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe form of pregnancy sickness. This can be dangerous, and you may not get enough fluids into your body (dehydration) or nutrients from your diet (malnourishment). You may require specialized care, possibly in a hospital.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) can occasionally cause nausea and vomiting. A UTI typically affects the bladder, but it can also affect the kidneys.

“hyperemesis gravidarum,” which means “excessive vomiting during pregnancy,” is the medical term for severe morning sickness. It usually follows the same pattern as regular morning sickness. However, it can last much longer, sometimes even the entire pregnancy. As the pregnancy progresses, the symptoms usually become less severe.

The majority of hyperemesis gravidarum occurs during a woman’s first pregnancy. However, women who have it in one pregnancy are more likely to have it in subsequent pregnancies.

What Is the Cause of Severe Morning Sickness?

It is unknown what causes severe morning sickness. However, it could be related to pregnancy hormone changes. Because severe morning sickness most often occurs when HCG levels are at their highest in a pregnant woman’s body, a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin, or HCG, may be blamed.

Morning sickness can also run in families. It is more common in women who have close family members who have had it (such as mothers and sisters).

Other factors that can increase a woman’s risk of severe morning sickness include:

• bringing multiples (twins, triplets, etc.)
• motion sickness history
• Migraine headaches are accompanied by nausea or vomiting.

What Issues Might Occur?

Nausea and vomiting during severe morning sickness can be harmful to both the mother and the baby. The mother’s inability to swallow food makes it difficult for her to meet her nutritional needs. As a result, she may lose weight. In addition, dehydration and electrolyte imbalances can result from fluid loss combined with stomach acid loss from vomiting.

If severe morning sickness is not treated, it can lead to various complications, including organ failure and the premature birth of her child.

When Should I Contact a Doctor or a Midwife?

If you’re pregnant and have any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor or midwife right away:

• nausea that lasts all day and makes it impossible to eat or drink
• Three to four times per day, vomiting or being unable to keep anything in the stomach.
• brownish vomit or vomit containing blood or blood streaks
• slimming down
• dizziness or fainting
• peeing less frequently than usual
• a rapid heart rate
• numerous headaches
• undesirable, fruity mouth or body odor
• extreme exhaustion
• confusion

What Is the Treatment for Severe Morning Sickness?

Women suffering from severe morning sickness may benefit from morning sickness treatments such as eating dry crackers or following a bland diet. However, these may not be effective for severe symptoms.

Medical treatment may include the following:

• a brief period of fasting to allow the digestive system to rest
• fluids are administered intravenously (IV)
• nutritional and vitamin supplements

Some women may be given medication to stop vomiting orally or through an IV. In addition, the doctor may advise eating ginger-flavored foods or taking vitamin B6 supplements to alleviate nausea. It can also be used to:

• Consume a bland diet.
• Consume small, frequent meals.
• When you’re not feeling nauseated, drink plenty of fluids.
• Avoid foods that are spicy or fatty.
• Consume high-protein snacks.
• Stay away from sensory stimuli that can act as triggers (like specific smells or noises).

If a woman is anxious or depressed about her condition, speaking with a therapist or counselor may help her cope.

What Else Do I Need to Know?

Thanks to treatment, women with severe morning sickness can feel better and get the nutrition they need to thrive. Lifestyle changes can also help alleviate nausea and vomiting and make the pregnancy more enjoyable.

Symptoms usually improve over time. And, of course, they end when a woman’s next journey begins: motherhood.

Morning sickness risk factors

Morning sickness is caused by hormonal changes in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

• However, you may be more vulnerable if you:
• You’re expecting twins or more.
• In a previous pregnancy, you experienced severe nausea and vomiting.
• You are prone to motion sickness (for example, car sick)
• You have a migraine headache history.
• Morning sickness is a family trait.
• You used to get sick when you used estrogen-containing contraception.
• This is your first pregnancy.
• You’re overweight (your BMI is 30 or more)
• You are under stress.

Visit the pregnancy sickness support site for advice on dealing with morning sickness for you and your partner.