Coping with Pregnancy Nausea: Symptoms, Remedies, and More
For many expectant mothers, the term “morning sickness” can feel like a misnomer. Rather than being confined to the morning, this queasy sensation can strike at any time during the day, leaving you feeling like you’re battling a case of seasickness or persistent butterflies in your stomach. If you’re experiencing these symptoms during early pregnancy, you’re not alone. Morning sickness, or pregnancy nausea and vomiting, is a common companion for many mothers-to-be during the initial months of pregnancy.
Understanding Morning Sickness
Morning sickness is characterized by nausea and vomiting and affects approximately three out of every four pregnant women during their first trimester. Contrary to its name, this condition can manifest at any hour, day or night.
Typically, morning sickness makes its appearance around the sixth week of pregnancy. This timing aligns with the point when hCG hormone levels rise sufficiently to produce a positive pregnancy test. While some expectant mothers may experience nausea a bit later, around seven to nine weeks, the majority will notice relief as they enter the second trimester. Symptoms tend to peak between the 10th and 16th weeks of pregnancy.
However, it’s worth noting that a few women may continue to experience symptoms into the second trimester, and a rare few, especially those expecting multiples, may grapple with pregnancy nausea and vomiting throughout their term.
Symptoms of Morning Sickness
Common symptoms associated with morning sickness include:
- Nausea in the early stages of pregnancy, often described as feeling similar to seasickness or motion sickness.
- Morning-specific queasiness that can actually occur at any time of the day or night.
- Heightened sensitivity to certain smells and aversion to specific foods, which can trigger nausea.
- Nausea often followed by hunger pangs.
- Post-meal nausea.
- Occasional vomiting.
It’s important to note that morning sickness itself doesn’t pose a threat to your child. However, you should consult with your healthcare provider if:
- You struggle to keep down food or liquids.
- You experience weight loss.
- Your prenatal vitamins worsen your nausea.
- You feel dizzy or lethargic.
- You develop a fever or flu-like symptoms.
Morning Sickness vs. Hyperemesis Gravidarum
Hyperemesis gravidarum is a severe form of gestational nausea and vomiting that affects approximately three out of every 100 pregnant women. Unlike morning sickness, hyperemesis gravidarum is characterized by persistent symptoms, including vomiting three or more times a day. This can lead to dehydration and weight loss. While it often begins around the same time as morning sickness (around six weeks into pregnancy), it can persist throughout the entire pregnancy. If you are diagnosed with hyperemesis gravidarum, both you and your baby will require treatment to ensure your well-being.
Causes and Risk Factors of Morning Sickness
The precise cause of pregnancy nausea and vomiting remains uncertain, but experts often attribute it to pregnancy hormones. The hormone hCG, in particular, tends to peak when morning sickness is at its worst. Elevated levels of estrogen and progesterone may relax the muscles of the digestive tract, reducing digestive efficiency.
While morning sickness can affect anyone, certain factors may heighten your risk, such as:
- A history of migraines.
- A naturally sensitive stomach, as seen in individuals prone to motion sickness or seasickness.
- Carrying multiple pregnancies (resulting in higher hCG levels).
- First-time pregnancy.
- Prior experience of nausea and vomiting during a previous pregnancy.
- A family history of morning sickness.
Managing and Alleviating Morning Sickness
While you’ll need to give it some time, there are ways to find relief from pregnancy nausea through home remedies:
- Avoid triggering odors that induce nausea.
- Take your prenatal vitamins with food.
- Keep a light, easily digestible snack near your bedside. Nausea is often most pronounced when your stomach is empty, such as after a night’s sleep. Opt for low-fat, easy-to-digest options like crackers or cereal.
- Aim for six small meals throughout the day rather than three large ones.
- Brush your teeth following each meal. A fresh mouth can reduce nausea and minimize the risk of tooth damage from vomiting.
Additionally, several treatments for pregnancy nausea can be discussed with your healthcare provider:
- Switching to a prenatal vitamin with higher B6 content and less or no iron.
- Taking vitamin B6 or the antihistamine doxylamine (found in products like Unisom SleepTabs).
- FDA-approved prescription medications such as Diclegis and Bonjesta, known to be safe and effective in treating pregnancy nausea and vomiting. In some cases, anti-nausea medications like scopolamine, Phenergan, or Reglan may be prescribed.
- Exploring complementary therapies like acupuncture, acupressure, biofeedback, and hypnosis if other approaches prove ineffective.
One treatment option that should be avoided is the use of products containing marijuana or THC, as their safety during pregnancy has not been established. Both the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) have cautioned against the use of cannabis during pregnancy due to potential risks to fetal development.