Morning Sickness, symptoms, Treatment and Prevention

Definition of Morning Sickness

Pregnancy sickness or "morning sickness" is nausea, with or without vomiting, during pregnancy.

Description of Morning Sickness

Morning sickness may occur at any time of the day, especially when the stomach is empty. It affects about one-third to one-half of all expectant women and is most common during the first three months of pregnancy. Some expectant mothers will not experience it until well into the second trimester and a few may never experience morning sickness throughout the pregnancy.
If the nausea and vomiting persist or worsen the woman may have a rare condition called hyperemesis gravidarum. This exaggerated form of morning sickness occurs in fewer than 1 in 250 pregnancies. The symptoms of this condition are frequent and severe nausea and vomiting, inability to “keep anything down," weight loss, signs of dehydration (severe thirst, dry lips and tongue, confusion, rapid breathing and an increased heart rate) and starvation. This condition is treated by immediate hospitalization with intravenous hydration until the woman can tolerate foods and liquids by mouth.

Causes and Risk Factors of Morning Sickness

No one knows for sure the causes of morning sickness. It is known that the neurologic “control” for nausea and vomiting is located in the brain stem. A myriad of physical reasons why this area may be overstimulated during pregnancy have been suggested, including the high level of the pregnancy hormone HCG in the blood in the first trimester, the rapid stretching of the uterine muscles, the relative relaxation of the muscle tissue in the digestive tract (which makes digestion less efficient) and the excess acid in the stomach caused by not eating or by eating the wrong foods.
Emotional factors also influence morning sickness. Morning sickness is unknown in some more primitive societies where lifestyles are simpler, more relaxed and less demanding.
There is evidence that shows that some women with unwanted, unplanned pregnancies suffer debilitating nausea and vomiting, yet experience no morning sickness at all in pregnancies they are happy about. The fact that morning sickness is more common and tends to be more severe in first pregnancies supports the concept that both physical and emotional factors are involved. Physically, the novice pregnant individual is less prepared for the onslaught of hormones and other changes than one who has been through it before.

Treatment of Morning Sickness

There is no currently approved medication available for morning sickness, but the doctor may suggest trying these medication-based treatments if the methods mentioned are not helping:
antacids that are low in sodium and available over-the-counter
vitamin B6
sugar solution that is available over-the-counter
acupressure wristbands (used for seasickness)
antihistamine (prescribed by a doctor) only if the following concerns are evident: persistent vomiting, insufficient weight gain and signs of dehydration
Please talk to your doctor before taking any medication.

Self CareThere are many self care methods of alleviating the symptoms and minimizing the effects of morning sickness. These include:
Eat four to six small meals per day, instead of three heavy meals. An empty stomach and low blood sugar, resulting from long stretches between meals, can trigger nausea, as can eating too much at one meal.
Eat crackers or dry toast 20 to 30 minutes before getting up in the morning, while slightly propped up in bed. Bland foods such as crackers or pretzels may help at any time of day when you feel nauseated.
Minimize the intake of fluids with meals. Instead drink small amounts of fluids frequently between meals.
Eat a diet high in protein and complex carbohydrates, both of which fight nausea.
Drink plenty of fluids, especially if you are losing them through vomiting. If they are easier to get down than solids when your stomach is upset, use them to get your nutrients.
Herbal teas, fruit juices and popsicles are helpful in combating the nauseated feeling.
Take a prenatal vitamin supplement to compensate for nutrients missed through not eating.
Avoid the sight, smell, and taste of foods that make you queasy.
Eat before nausea strikes. Food will be easier to get down and may prevent an attack.
Eat in bed to avoid an empty stomach and to keep the blood sugar on an even keel.
Before you go to bed at night, have a snack that is high in protein and complex carbohydrates.
Get extra sleep and relaxation. Both emotional and physical fatigue can exacerbate morning sickness.
Greet the morning in slow motion – rushing tends to aggravate nausea.
Brush teeth with a toothpaste that does not increase the queasiness and rinse the mouth with a good rinser after each bout of vomiting, as well as after each meal. Not only will this keep the mouth fresh and reduce nausea, it will also decrease the risk of damage to teeth and gums that can occur when bacteria starts working on the regurgitated material in the mouth.
Minimize stress. Morning sickness is more common among women who are under a great deal of stress, either at work or home.

Boost your fertility

Having difficulty getting pregnant? There are some simple ways to help nature along.

If you've been trying to start a family without success, making some simple lifestyle changes may increase your chance of conception and help to ensure a healthy pregnancy. However, there are some factors, such as age, ovulation problems, sperm disorders and damaged fallopian tubes, that you can't change.

Changes you can make

Eat well: if you're a woman, a nutritious, balanced diet will help improve your general health and wellbeing, and ensure your body is able to nourish a baby. If you're a man, healthy eating is also important for sperm production.

Choose a varied diet containing fresh fruit and vegetables, bread, potatoes, rice and other cereals (wholegrain, where possible), milk and dairy products, lean meat, fish and other sources of protein.

Being overweight or very underweight can disrupt your periods and hinder conception

Watch your weight: being overweight or very underweight can disrupt your periods and hinder conception. A woman with a body mass index (BMI) of more than 29 or less than 19 may find it more difficult to conceive.

To work out your BMI, divide your weight in kilograms by your height in metres squared (your height in metres multiplied by itself) or use our BMI calculator. Fertility treatment may not be possible for very overweight or obese women.

Drink wisely: the government advises women trying to conceive to avoid alcohol completely. Men shouldn't drink more than three or four units a day, and should avoid binge drinking to prevent damage to sperm.

Stop smoking: smoking has been linked to infertility and early menopause in women, and sperm problems in men. It also reduces the success of fertility treatments.

Be active: regular moderate exercise (such as brisk walking) for at least 30 minutes a day will help to keep you fit for conception and help to control your weight.

Exercise also reduces stress and boosts levels of endorphins, the body's own feel-good hormones.

Keep cool: for optimum sperm production, the testicles need to be a couple of degrees cooler than the rest of the body. Avoid tight underwear and jeans, and excessively hot baths and saunas.

Think about your job: occupations that involve sitting for long periods, such as long-distance lorry driving, or exposure to environmental chemicals such as paints or pesticides, may affect sperm quality. If this is an issue, discuss it with your work supervisor. Watch an exclusive video interview with Professor William Ledger.

Manage stress: stress doesn't cause infertility, but excessive anxiety can sometimes upset the menstrual cycle. Try to reduce stress levels and give yourself time to relax.

Take folic acid: all women trying for a baby should take a supplement of 400mcg of folic acid a day to help prevent birth defects such as spina bifida.

Check drugs: certain prescription drugs can reduce the chance of conception. If you're taking regular medication, talk to your doctor.

Marijuana and cocaine can affect sperm counts.
Things you can't change

Not all factors affecting fertility are within your control.
Women

For women, the following may affect conception:

Ovulation problems: sometimes, women don't ovulate (release an egg each month) or do so only occasionally.

Reasons include:

* Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), in which numerous small cysts develop on the ovaries and ovulation is erratic.
* The side effects of some medications, such as anti-inflammatory painkillers, chemotherapy and radiation treatment (for example, for cancer).
* Premature ovarian failure (early menopause).
* Hormonal imbalances.


Blocked fallopian tubes: below are the most common causes of inflamed and blocked tubes.

* Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as chlamydia and (more rarely) gonorrhoea.
* Endometriosis, in which cells from the lining of the womb implant elsewhere, such as the ovaries.
* Pelvic inflammatory disease, which can be caused by chlamydia and other STIs.
* Previous pelvic surgery - for example, for appendicitis or peritonitis.


Women in their early 20s are about twice as likely to get pregnant as women in their late 30s

Your age: the quantity and quality of your eggs decline with age. Women in their early 20s are about twice as likely to get pregnant as women in their late 30s.

Problems in the womb: problems with the lining of the womb, such as fibroids or physical abnormalities of the womb, can prevent the successful implantation of a fertilised egg.

Other medical conditions: conditions that can affect female fertility include diabetes, epilepsy, thyroid and bowel diseases, as well as gynaecological problems such as a previous ectopic pregnancy or more than one miscarriage.
Men

Male infertility is usually caused by sperm problems. These include:

* Low sperm count (not producing enough sperm), poor sperm quality or poor motility (slow-moving sperm).
* Previous inflammation of, or injury to, the testicles. This includes inflammation caused by mumps, drug treatment, radiotherapy or sporting injuries.
* A previous bacterial infection.
* Previous surgery - for example, to correct a hernia - or undescended or twisted testicles, which can damage the tubes or impair blood flow to the testicles.
* Diabetes, medication or urinary tract surgery can cause retrograde ejaculation, when sperm travels backwards into the bladder.
* Sexual problems, such as the inability to have an erection.