Many pregnant people (up to 85%) experience a period of nausea and vomiting. In the vast majority of cases, it’s unpleasant but not dangerous.
About 2% of expectant parents will vomit so severely that they lose weight and become dehydrated, requiring hospital treatment. This severe form of morning sickness is called hyperemesis gravidarum. Although this condition could be life-threatening if left untreated, it can be remedied by treatment during a brief hospital stay.
When a person has morning sickness, it can be severe enough that it affects usual daily activities (e.g., working, caring for children). Although it’s called "morning sickness," the nausea and vomiting may occur at any time of day.
While the exact causes of morning sickness aren’t known, it’s probably linked to pregnancy hormones. People who suffer morning sickness tend to have higher levels of these hormones than those who don’t.
It’s possible that nausea and vomiting during pregnancy is an ancient mechanism for protecting the fetus from poisons. With the enormously rich and varied diet we eat today compared to our ancestors, it’s no surprise that such a protective system could become a bit confused and start rejecting all sorts of healthy food.
One piece of evidence for this idea can be found in research showing that people who suffer from vomiting during pregnancy actually have lower rates of miscarriage than those who don’t. Research shows higher levels of 2 hormones (thyroxine and human chorionic gonadotropin) in people with morning sickness. Higher levels of estrogen are found in people suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum.
Other possible causes of morning sickness include infection of the digestive tract and the use of prenatal multivitamins containing iron.
People who suffer nausea from the birth control pill, motion sickness, and migraines are more likely to develop morning sickness during pregnancy.
The best way to manage morning sickness is to start with non-drug measures. Here are some suggestions that many women have found to help:
There are other suggestions floating around in the media and on the Internet. You should talk to your doctor before trying herbal or vitamin-based remedies. Many people recommend the herb ginger, but its safety and effectiveness have not been proven in scientific studies.
Some people use acupressure, a fairly common home remedy for nausea. The standard device is an elastic wristband with a button on it. The button is placed over the Neiguan point, about 2 inches above the inner wrist. Compressing this point is considered by many to relieve nausea, and ship passengers hoping to avoid seasickness often wear these devices. However, the devices have not been well studied for morning sickness.
If non-drug measures are ineffective, a doctor may prescribe vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) or a combination of doxylamine and vitamin B6* to control morning sickness. Many people are concerned about taking medications during pregnancy due to the possible risk to the fetus and birth defects. It is important to keep in mind that all pregnant people have about a 3% chance of having a child with a birth defect. Studies have shown that doxylamine-vitamin B6 does not pose a risk to the fetus and is not associated with an increase in birth defects.
People with more moderate to severe cases of morning sickness may be prescribed other anti-nausea medications from the doctor, such as promethazine, prochlorperazine, and chlorpromazine*. People with hyperemesis gravidarum may also need to receive intravenous (IV) feeding or fluid replacement to treat dehydration.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2025. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/condition/getcondition/Morning-Sickness
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