For most people, morning sickness usually starts around five or six weeks in and eases around week 12 or 14. It affects about 80 percent of pregnant people and is considered one of the earliest signs of pregnancy. While the exact reasons for morning sickness are unclear, some factors that may contribute to its causes include riding hCG levels.
What Causes Morning Sickness and How Can It Be Managed?
As the body reacts to the increased levels of the hormone hCG, the body may react with nausea and vomiting to try and adjust to the changing hormones.
While there’s no certain way to stop morning sickness, there are many tips that can be used to help minimize it, including:
- Vitamins: Taking vitamin B6 during pregnancy can help reduce the severity of nausea and vomiting, and your physician can provide advice on the correct dosages.
- Ginger: Ginger is a well-known herb for reducing nausea, and eating or drinking ginger foods can help ease symptoms naturally.
- Small, Frequent Meals: Instead of heavy meals, eating several small snacks throughout the day can help prevent your digestive system from overloading.
- Staying Hydrated: Vomiting from morning sickness can severely dehydrate you and further aggravate symptoms. Taking sips of water throughout the day can help keep your body hydrated and reduce symptoms. Aim for at least 8 to 12 cups a day.
- Avoiding Spicy, Rich Foods: When eating, pay attention to what your food smells like and avoid spicy, sugary, or rich foods, as they can worsen nausea.
Despite the term, nausea and vomiting can occur at any time of the day during your pregnancy. While this pregnancy symptom is common, its severity varies from person to person. Some women may spend hours vomiting, while others may feel nauseous only for a short time. In rare and extreme cases, about three percent of women experience a severe form of pregnancy called hyperemesis gravidarum, which can lead to dehydration and urgent hospitalization.
For many women, it can feel like a permanent state of seasickness, causing substantial emotional turmoil, and this symptom makes it almost impossible to enjoy a pregnancy. It can be disturbing and disruptive to the people experiencing it and cause feelings of guilt and anxiety in those experiencing this symptom. In some cases, others may develop post-traumatic stress disorder due to this severe experience.
However, many women are working to change the conversation surrounding morning sickness. To help women find support for their symptoms, women can reach out to pregnancy sickness support groups. These groups act as a helpline and support center for people experiencing severe, prolonged bouts of pregnancy sickness and help them cope with these drastic bodily changes.
Visit Summit Women’s & Wellness Medical Group For Assistance with Pregnancy Sickness
At Summit Women’s and Wellness Medical Group, Dr. Renee Obey can provide well-rounded prenatal checkups, ultrasounds, risk assessments, and more during your pregnancy. If you’re experiencing symptoms of morning sickness and wish to seek advice, visit our clinic and contact us today to schedule your first prenatal consultation with our women’s health experts.
