| Morning
Sickness
Approximately half to two thirds
of all pregnant women will experience morning sickness to some degree,
particularly in the first trimester. Morning sickness can happen
at any time of the day or night but is most evident early in the
mornings. In most cases it is a minor irritant and will quickly
disappear. Some studies have shown that mild to moderate sickness
is a sign of a 'good' pregnancy, with less risk of miscarriage.
There has been a lot of research to find the actual cause of morning
sickness without any success. However, it is thought that the causes
could be due to hormonal changes, fluctuations in blood pressure
and the enormous physical and chemical changes that happen with
pregnancy.
In most cases morning sickness will start around the 4th to 6th
week of pregnancy and disappear by the 12th to 17th week. The degree
of morning sickness can vary from feeling slightly nauseated to
severe vomiting that includes weight loss and dehydration. Some
women will experience morning sickness into their second trimester
and a few even experience nausea and vomiting throughout their entire
pregnancy. Severe morning sickness affects only about one in 1000
women, this is a condition called Hyperemesis Gravidarum and hospitalisation
would be required to prevent dehydration and weight loss which could
prevent the baby from normal growth.
In mild to moderate cases of
morning sickness there are no adverse effects on the baby as it
is safely cushioned inside the sac of amniotic fluid.
Here are a few suggestions
to try and manage your morning sickness.
Place a few dry crackers on
your bedside table at night and eat them before getting out of bed
in the morning.
Eat small meals regularly so that there is always something lining
your stomach.
Avoid fatty and spicy foods.
Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
Ginger has been known to ease symptoms.
Wear loose clothing that will not constrict your abdomen.
If you are at all concerned
about your morning sickness you should seek advice from your doctor.
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