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What Really Causes Morning Sickness

The fact of the matter is that most women will experience at least a little bit of morning sickness while they are pregnant. Statistics aren’t exact, but most experts estimate that as many as 75 percent of women will have some morning sickness. Yet, researchers aren’t entirely agreed about what it is that causes morning sickness. The most likely explanation is that morning sickness is really caused by the vast and rapid changes that take place to a woman’s body during early pregnancy.

Some of the changes going on in early pregnancy that may really cause morning sickness are:

  • Rises in levels of estrogen. Estrogen is one of the hormones that takes a dramatic leap during early pregnancy, and may contribute to morning sickness.
  • hCG. Human chorionic gonadotropin is a hormone that also rises quickly during pregnancy. This hormone, perhaps more than other causes, tends to be a suspect. Morning sickness tends to peak just about the time that your hCG levels peak, as well. In addition, when a woman has a higher level of hCG (such as happens with a twin or multiple pregnancy) she tends to have a higher rate of morning sickness, too.
  • Elevated sense of smell. It’s not at all uncommon for a pregnant woman to find that she suddenly has an elevated sense of smell, and that she’s more sensitive than usual to odors. Strong smells can then, in turn, trigger the gag reflex. There is some evidence to suggest that this enhanced sense of smell is related to the rise in estrogen, but researchers aren’t agreed on this point.
  • Psychological causes. There is also some evidence to suggest that pregnancy-related nausea can come as a reaction to stress. This stress is both the physical stress that comes from pregnancy as well as the roller-coaster of emotions that tends to come with pregnancy.

Ultimately, we can’t be truly sure what it is that causes morning sickness, only that it tends to start during the first few weeks of pregnancy and that it typically stops by the end of the first trimester. There are things you can do to lessen its impact, such as eating smart and avoiding strong smells, but the best remedy for morning sickness tends to be time itself.

Posted in Morning Sickness |
All About Hyperemesis Gravidarum

Morning sickness can be a frustrating thing, but for most women it’s something that’s manageable. Morning sickness is often little more than an inconvenience, and although it can be difficult it isn’t something that’s going to affect your well-being or your overall health (or that of your baby, either). However, one severe form of morning sickness known as “hyperemesis gravidarum can be detrimental not only to you but to your baby.

Hyperemesis gravidarum has as its symptoms severe nausea and vomiting. This may lead to weight loss, as well as a disturbance in your electrolyte balance. It may also include food aversion, as well as a decrease in the volume of urination. This condition can lead to headaches, fainting, jaundice, confusion and dehydration. In some cases, when you have hyperemesis gravidarum you can’t keep any food down at all, which can obviously interfere with how your baby is growing and developing.

It isn’t always clear what exactly it is that causes hyperemesis gravidarum, any more than it’s clear what causes morning sickness. Still, around one in a hundred pregnancies will see the mother experience this condition. While the condition can’t be prevented altogether, there are some things that can be done (under your doctor’s supervision, of course) to help manage the condition.

There are a number of ways your doctor might want to treat hyperemesis gravidarum. Intravenous fluids are often given to help you rehydrate, as well as to replace lost nutrients and electrolytes. In some cases, you may need to be fed through a tube, such as with a nasogastric tube that passes through the nasal cavity and down into the stomach. There are some medications that your doctor may prescribe, as well, that may help you keep some food down.

In addition to your doctor’s advice, many women experience relief from the symptoms of hyperemesis gravidarum with other methods. Acupressure, herbal remedies like ginger and peppermint, homeopathic medicines and even hypnosis have been used by women to help combat this condition. While not every method will work for every woman, you may experience some degree or another of success if you attempt these methods as a supplement to your doctor’s advice.

Posted in Morning Sickness |
Managing Morning Sickness throughout the Day

Most women will have some morning sickness while they’re pregnant. Experts tell us that more than two thirds of pregnant women will have some degree of morning sickness. Morning sickness doesn’t always happen in the morning, of course, but for many women it does. Morning sickness can be frustrating and annoying, and in some cases it can really create some problems for you in terms of your daily routine. However, if you work hard at planning ahead a little bit and doing specific things throughout your day, you may find that managing your morning sickness is just a little bit easier.

Starting the day off right

Many women do experience morning sickness in the morning, so there are some things you can do even before you get out of bed to start the day off right. You can, for example, allow yourself time to wake up slowly. Set your alarm a little bit early, for example. Many women like to keep some saltines or dry cereal on their nightstand. Eating something before you get out of bed can help to control your stomach acid, and can help to reduce your morning sickness.

As the day progresses

As you go through your day, think about ways that you can help to manage your morning sickness. You’ll want to try to avoid becoming too full or too hungry. Eat several smaller meals throughout the day rather than three large one. Drink fluids about half an hour before your meal, but not with your meal. Make sure you get enough fluids during the day so that you can avoid becoming dehydrated. Get some rest during the day, and avoid food or other items that have strong smells that can aggravate nausea.

During the evening

At dinnertime, avoid foods that are spicy, greasy or odorous. It might even be best to stay away from cooking if at all possible, as the smells may be too overwhelming. Make sure you go to bed a little early, and that you get enough sleep. If you wake up at night to use the bathroom, have some crackers or something else to help keep your stomach settled throughout the night, as well.

Posted in Morning Sickness |
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