Morning Sickness: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment & Prevention

• Morning sickness can be experienced at any time during the day or night 
• It is most prominent during the first trimester of pregnancy 
• Morning sickness is an early sign of pregnancy and is experienced uniquely by each woman

Morning sickness is also known as nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. It is an early sign of pregnancy which is most prominent during the initial trimester. It gradually subsides as your pregnancy progresses towards the second and third trimester (what to expect in third trimester of pregnancy). 

In highly rare cases, morning sickness can progress into a condition called hyperemesis gravidarum. In this condition, nausea and vomiting is so severe that it leads to extreme dehydration and even loss of pre-pregnancy body weight. 

Morning sickness symptoms are largely classified by nausea and vomiting. In an expecting woman, morning sickness symptoms can be triggered due to a variety of factors such as:

• Certain smells
• Spicy foods
• Increased heat

These symptoms can also occur without any triggers at all.

Also Read: Placenta Previa – Causes, Symptoms, Complications & Treatment

The exact reasons for morning sickness are not yet known. However, it is believed that hormonal changes can induce or trigger nausea and vomiting in expecting women.

Morning sickness can affect any pregnant woman. It is, however, more common in women who have:

• Nausea and vomiting from motion sickness, smells or other factors even before pregnancy
• History of morning sickness in a previous pregnancy
• Multiple pregnancies

Mild morning sickness is natural during the first trimester of pregnancy. However, if you have troublesome symptoms, you should seek clinical treatment.

Your obstetrician may recommend the following morning sickness treatment methods:

• Certain anti-nausea medications
• Use of electrolyte liquids
• Increased intake of fluids

You can control your morning sickness symptoms at home by doing the following:

• Eat high-protein, low-fat and easy to digest foods
• Snack throughout the day 
• Drink plenty of fluids
• Avoid nausea triggers such as certain tastes or smells
• Rinse your mouth thoroughly after vomiting
• Add ginger to your diet
• Practice acupuncture and hypnosis techniques

Read More: Symptoms of Pregnancy after Sex