Nausea and vomiting can be one of the dreaded symptoms or wished upon by those wanting to feel pregnant! This usually begins around the 6th week of pregnancy.
It can occur at any time of the day, not just the ‘morning‘ and for most women, it seems to stop after the 12th week of pregnancy, although many claim it can last throughout.
Morning sickness is not harmful to you or your baby, but if you experience excessive vomiting and cannot manage to keep your food down, you could have a medical condition called hyperemesis gravidarum.
Hyperemesis gravidarum can be harmful to you and your baby if severe and left untreated from lack of nutrients and electrolyte imbalances. The most important thing is to inform your doctor/midwife when these symptoms appear and discuss possible treatment options.
The Facts
More than 60% of pregnant woman experience morning sickness. Morning sickness refers to the nauseous feeling you may have during the first trimester, which is a result of the increased hormones in your body.
Morning sickness can be accompanied with vomiting.
Many doctors believe morning sickness is a good sign because it means the placenta is developing well causing a surge in HCG
Here are some steps to help your symptoms:
Do’s And Don’ts tips
Do:
▫️Eat small meals often
▫️Drink fluids 1/2 hour before or after a meal, but not with meals.
(sometimes drinking on an empty stomach can cause sickness)
▫️Drink small amounts of fluids during the day to avoid dehydration
▫️Eat dry Biscuits 10 minutes before getting up in the morning.
▫️Eat whatever you feel like eating, whenever you feel you can.
▫️Ask someone else to cook for you! A lot of ladies say this sets off sickness
▫Open windows, or turn on fans if odours bothers you.
▫️Get plenty of rest and nap during the day.
▫️Avoid warm places, feeling hot adds to nausea.
▫️Sniff lemons or ginger
▫️Drink lemonade or eat watermelon to relieve nausea.
▫️Eat salty crisps, they have been found to settle stomachs enough to eat a meal.
▫Exercise
Don’ts:
▫️Do not lie down after eating.
▫️Do not skip meals.
▫️Do not let this condition go untreated.
▫️Do not cook foods that set of the feeling of sickness or eat spicy food.
Hyperemesis Gravidarum
Hyperemesis gravidarum is a condition characterized by severe nausea, vomiting, weight loss, and sometimes electrolyte disturbance. Mild cases are treated with dietary measures, rest.
More severe cases often require a stay in the hospital so the mother can receive fluid and nutrition through an intravenous line.
DO NOT take any medications for this condition without consulting your doctor first.
You Should Contact Your Doctor
If you are;
▫️Experiencing excessive nausea and vomiting that prevents you from keeping any food down
▫️If vomiting is accompanied by pain or fever
▫️If nausea and vomiting persists well into the second trimester
