Morning sickness is a normal symptom of pregnancy. It is experienced by 50-70% of all pregnant women. It arises due to the release of hCG levels in the blood. The hCG is mostly released highest in the first trimester and morning sickness is felt in the first trimester after attachment of fertilized embryo into the uterus. It usually occurs in the morning that settles up to the afternoon. Its symptoms include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and sensitivity to the smell of food. It is a harmless condition for both pregnant women and the baby. It does not require treatment and it comes and goes by itself.
Is It Normal For Morning Sickness To Come And Go?
Morning sickness is a natural symptom of pregnancy that appears in the first trimester of pregnancy. It starts usually in the 6th week of pregnancy and disappears by 12th to 15th weeks of pregnancy at the start of the second trimester. It usually starts in the morning that ends in the afternoon. It is usually mild or moderate in nature that does not deteriorate the health of the pregnant woman or her baby. However, many women do not experience it throughout their pregnancy.
Morning sickness is a normal phenomenon that can come and go on its own. It usually appears in the morning that goes by afternoon.
Causes Of Morning Sickness
Morning sickness makes pregnant women feel unwell and sick. It is really a sign of pregnancy. It is a sign of pregnancy because the levels of pregnancy hormones, human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) and estrogen get elevated in pregnancy. These hormones are produced by the placenta that nourishes and develops the fetus. High levels of hCG may trigger nausea and vomiting. Its levels increase after implantation and continue to increase up to 12th week of the pregnancy. It drops own after this period.
Morning sickness is higher when the embryo implants into the uterus and it increases two times more in every two days. The higher the levels of hCG in the body increase the intensity of morning sickness. Its intensity is more in women who have twins or multiple fetuses in their pregnancy.
Some women may have a sensitive stomach that may not accept the changes of pregnancy. Stress and fatigue in pregnancy may also cause nausea or vomiting.
Symptoms Of Morning Sickness
Morning sickness is not an illness. It occurs in the first trimester of pregnancy around six weeks. It ends in 12-15 weeks of pregnancy. It can appear and disappear at any time during the day. It is represented by following symptoms-
- Nausea that can be mild or severe
- Vomiting
- Lightheadedness
- Feeling of sickness due to the smell of specific food item or all food items
- Lethargy or weakness throughout the day
- Aversion to a particular food
- Reduced appetite or loss of appetite
- Swelling or tenderness in the breast.
Treatment For Morning Sickness
- Get proper rest.
- Avoid cooking certain foodstuffs whose smell can cause nausea.
- Get plenty of water in the whole day.
- Avoid food that triggers nausea. It can be spicy or fatty food or too much-flavored food.
- Take the food items that suit you, lemon water, ginger tea or chamomile tea can help in reduction of morning sickness.
- Take small meals in two to three hours instead of three large meals
- keep yourself busy in doing certain activities such as reading a book, drawing, painting or other activities that can distract you and relief your stress and anxiety levels.
- Light exercises or yoga or meditation encourages relaxation of body and mind.
Conclusion
Morning sickness is a normal sign of a healthy pregnancy. It appears due to the release of hCG hormones after the attachment of placenta into the uterus. It appears in the sixth week of pregnancy. It is normal for morning sickness to come and go.
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American Pregnancy Association. (2021). Morning Sickness: Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy. Retrieved from: https://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancy-health/morning-sickness-during-pregnancy/
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Mayo Clinic. (2020). Morning Sickness: Symptoms and Causes. Retrieved from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/morning-sickness/symptoms-causes/syc-20375254
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American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2018). FAQ126: Morning Sickness: Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy. Retrieved from: https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/morning-sickness-nausea-and-vomiting-of-pregnancy
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WebMD. (2021). Morning Sickness: Causes, Symptoms, Remedies. Retrieved from: https://www.webmd.com/baby/morning-sickness#1
Also Read:
- Morning Sickness at Night: Causes, Symptoms, Prevention, Treatment
- Do You Get Morning Sickness With A Boy?
- How Soon Can You Get Morning Sickness?
- Is It Bad If I Don’t Get Morning Sickness?
- Lifestyle Changes For Morning Sickness
- How To Prevent Morning Sickness?
- What Helps Morning Sickness That Lasts All Day?