Morning sickness is almost a given part of pregnancy, as a growing belly is. Although morning sickness refers to nausea and vomiting, felt on awakening, studies tell us that nausea and vomiting can happen at any time of the day.
What Causes Morning Sickness?
No one knows. But since 8 out of 10 pregnant women experience it, we may have some answers. The most likely one is the hormonal level changes during pregnancy. The human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) levels rise throughout pregnancy, which may be responsible for morning sickness. Testing for the hormone is also popularly used to detect pregnancy.
Morning sickness symptoms typically recede in the second trimester, although it is not impossible to have it all through pregnancy.
Risk Factors For Vomiting In Pregnancy
We did say that hormone levels are responsible for morning sickness. However, certain situations increase the chances of morning sickness. Women expecting twins, triplets, or more have a higher risk. If it happened to your mum, it might happen to you too. There’s a risk attached to family history. Some women are naturally sensitive to many smells and tastes, and this quickly causes nausea and vomiting. It is not impossible to develop these sensitivities during pregnancy too.
Although many don’t know, food poisoning is also possible during pregnancy! Pregnant women are more at risk because their immune systems are weak, and they cannot fight germs. Hence, pregnant women should always eat well-cooked meals.
See Also:How To Get Rid Of The Excess Weight After Pregnancy
What Is Hyperemesis Gravidarum?
Extreme morning sickness is known as hyperemesis gravidarum. Here, a pregnant woman can vomit up to three times or more within the same day. The nausea is almost always present all the time. Worse still, these women can lose weight, become dehydrated, and feel dizzy or lightheaded. Excessive vomiting also has a way of messing up the electrolyte levels in the body.
If you notice symptoms similar to this during your pregnancy, please visit your doctor immediately.
If it’s morning sickness, sipping on water, avoiding smell or taste triggers, and using anti-nausea drugs prescribed by your doctor should help. However, hyperemesis gravidarum may need treatment on a hospital bed. Do not hesitate to contact your doctor!
Reference: Healthline
