Eight out of ten women experience some form of morning sickness in early pregnancy, so grab the bucket and let’s talk about how to get through this.
Pregnancy sickness may develop 4–6 weeks after your last period and peak between 9–16 weeks. It can hit you at any time of day, not just in the morning.
How long does morning sickness last? For many women, symptoms improve or settle between weeks 16 and 20.
The exact cause is not fully understood, but hormonal changes in early pregnancy are thought to play a role.
Levels of hCG (the hormone produced in early pregnancy) rise quickly and peak at around the same time morning sickness tends to be at its worst. Rising oestrogen is thought to play a part too. Heightened sensitivity to smells and a more sensitive stomach can add to it.
It’s a sign your body is adjusting to pregnancy, and for most women, it settles as hormone levels level out.
Morning sickness affects each pregnant woman a little differently, but the most common symptoms include:
• Nausea
• Vomiting or dry retching
• Food smell or sight sensitivity
Healthcare providers often recommend the following for women suffering from morning sickness:
• Eat plain crackers as soon as you wake up
• Try brushing your teeth later on in the day when your tummy feels more settled
• Try small, frequent meals or snack on starchy foods such as dry toast, crackers, rice or pasta throughout your day; this will help blood sugar levels
• Cold foods may go down easier than hot ones
• Drink plenty of water, small amounts but often (suck on crushed ice if you find it difficult drinking water)
• Avoid tight waistbands
• Sleep and rest. Don’t try to keep the same schedule or level of activity as you did before your pregnancy
• Drink ginger tea or eat food containing ginger – ginger can settle an upset stomach, easing nausea and vomiting in pregnancy for some women
You are wonderfully unique, so what helps with morning sickness for one woman may not work for you. Try different things and don’t worry.
If you’re wondering, “Does morning sickness affect the baby?”, the answer is no: mild to moderate morning sickness usually does not put your baby at increased risk, but severe or ongoing vomiting needs medical advice.
Speak to your doctor or healthcare professional promptly if you:
• Are vomiting often
• Have very dark-coloured urine
• Have not urinated for more than 8 hours
• Cannot keep food or fluids down for 24 hours
• Feel very weak, dizzy or faint when standing
• Have stomach pain and a high temperature
• Vomit blood
• Have lost weight
If this is happening to you, then you might have something called hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), which is thought to affect around 1 to 3 in every 100 pregnant women. HG can lead to dehydration and weight loss, so it is important to get treatment early. If treated effectively, it is unlikely to harm your baby.
Feeling sick is a normal part of early pregnancy for most women, and it usually eases as you move on from the first trimester. But if you have severe vomiting, you can’t keep fluids down, or you’re worried at any point, speak to your doctor or healthcare professional.
For more guidance and tips, explore the Karihome blog.
