by
Dr. Samir Chaukkar MD (Hom)
Why do
they call it morning sickness when I feel nauseated all day long?
"Morning
sickness" is really a misnomer. (In fact, the technical
medical term is "nausea and
vomiting of pregnancy.") For
some pregnant women, the symptoms are worst in the morning and ease up over the
course of the day, but they can strike at any time and last all day long.
About three quarters of pregnant women experience nausea and sometimes vomiting
during their first trimester. The nausea usually starts around six weeks of
pregnancy, but it can begin as early as four weeks. It tends to get worse over
the next month or so.
About half of the women who get it feel complete relief by about 14 weeks. For
most of the rest, it takes another month or so for the queasiness to ease up,
though it may return later and come and go throughout pregnancy.
What
causes nausea and vomiting during pregnancy?
No one knows for sure what causes nausea during pregnancy, but it's probably
some combination of the many physical changes taking place in your body. Some
possible causes include:
• Rapidly rising levels of the
hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) during early pregnancy. No one knows
how hCG contributes to nausea, but the timing is right: Nausea tends to peak
around the same time as levels of hCG.
Estrogen, another hormone that rises rapidly in early pregnancy, is also
considered a prime suspect, and it's possible that other hormones play a role as
well.
• An enhanced sense of smell and sensitivity to odors. It's not uncommon for a newly pregnant woman to feel overwhelmed by the smell of a bologna sandwich from four cubicles away, for example, and that certain aromas instantly trigger her gag reflex. This may be a result of higher levels of estrogen.
• A tricky stomach. Some women's gastrointestinal tracts are
simply more sensitive to the changes of early pregnancy.
You may have heard that
morning sickness can be caused
by a vitamin B deficiency. While taking a
vitamin B6 supplement does seem to
help ease nausea in many pregnant women, this doesn't mean they have a vitamin
deficiency. In fact, at least one study has shown no significant differences in
the levels of B6 in women with morning sickness and those without.
No one knows why B6 is helpful. There's also some evidence that taking a
multivitamin at the time of conception and in early pregnancy helps prevent
severe morning sickness, but again, no one knows why.
Some researchers have proposed that certain women are psychologically
predisposed to having nausea and
vomiting during pregnancy as
an abnormal response to stress. However, there's no good evidence to support
this theory. (Of course, if you're constantly nauseated or vomiting a lot, you
certainly may begin to feel more stressed!)
Are some pregnant women more likely than others to feel nauseated?
You're more likely to have nausea or
vomiting during your pregnancy
if any of the following apply:
• You're pregnant with twins or higher multiples. This may be from the higher levels of hCG, estrogen, or other hormones in your system. You're also more likely to have a more severe case than average. On the other hand, it's not a definite thing — some women carrying twins have little or no nausea.
• You had nausea and vomiting in a previous pregnancy.
• You have a history of nausea or vomiting as a side effect of taking birth control pills. This is probably related to your body's response to estrogen.
• You have a history of motion sickness.
• You have a genetic predisposition to nausea during pregnancy. If your mother or sisters had severe morning sickness, there's a higher chance you will, too.
• You have a history of migraine headaches.
• You're carrying a girl. One study found that women with severe nausea and vomiting were 50 percent more likely to be carrying a girl.
Will
my nausea affect my baby?
The mild to moderate nausea and occasional
vomiting commonly associated
with
morning sickness won't
threaten your baby's well-being. If you don't gain any weight in the first
trimester, it's generally not a problem as long as you're able to stay hydrated
and aren't starving yourself. In most cases, your appetite will return soon
enough and you'll start gaining weight.
If nausea keeps you from eating a balanced diet, make sure you're getting the
nutrients you need by taking a
prenatal vitamin. Choose one with a
low dose of iron or no iron if that mineral makes your nausea worse.
Severe and prolonged vomiting has been linked to a greater risk of preterm
birth,
low birth weight, and newborns
who are small for their gestational age. However, a recent study of women who
were hospitalized with severe vomiting found that those who were able to gain at
least 15.4 pounds (7 kilograms) during their pregnancy had no worse outcomes
than other women.
If I
don't have morning sickness, does that mean I'm more likely to have a
miscarriage?
Not necessarily. It's true that a number of studies have shown that women who
have miscarriages are less likely to have had nausea. (If your baby or your
placenta were not developing properly, you'd have lower levels of pregnancy
hormones in your system, so it follows that you'd have little or no nausea.)
But there are plenty of women with perfectly normal pregnancies who manage to
escape nausea during their first trimester. Count yourself lucky and don't
obsess about it if you're not suffering!
What
can I do to get relief?
If you have a mild case of nausea and
vomiting, some relatively
simple measures may be enough to help. (If not, there are safe and effective
medications you can take.) Not all the following suggestions are supported by
hard evidence, but obstetricians and midwives commonly recommend them, and many
women swear by them.
• Try to avoid foods and smells that trigger your nausea. If
that seems like almost everything, it's okay to eat the few things that do
appeal to you for this part of your pregnancy, even if they don't add up to a
balanced diet.
It might also help to stick to bland foods. Try to eat food
cold or at room temperature,
because it tends to have less of an aroma than when it's hot.
• Keep simple snacks, such as crackers, by your bed. When you first wake up, nibble a few crackers and then rest for 20 to 30 minutes before getting up. Snacking on crackers may also help you feel better if you wake up nauseated in the middle of the night.
• Eat small, frequent meals and snacks throughout the day so that your stomach is never empty. Some women find that carbohydrates are most appealing when they feel nauseated, but one small study found that high-protein foods were more likely to ease symptoms.
• Avoid fatty foods, which take longer to digest. Also steer clear of rich, spicy, acidic, and fried foods, which can irritate your digestive system.
• Try drinking fluids mostly
between meals. And don't drink so much at one time that your stomach feels full,
as that will make you less hungry for food. A good strategy is to sip fluids
frequently throughout the day.
Aim to drink about a quart and a half altogether. If you've been vomiting a lot,
try a sports drink that contains glucose, salt, and potassium to replace lost
electrolytes.
• Give yourself time to relax and take naps if you can. Watching a movie (preferably not one about food!) or visiting with a friend can help relieve stress and take your mind off your discomfort. Or try hypnosis — while there's no definitive evidence that it helps with morning sickness, it has been shown to be effective in combating nausea during chemotherapy.
• Try taking your prenatal vitamins with food or just before bed. You might also want to ask your healthcare provider whether you can switch to a prenatal vitamin with a low dose of iron or no iron for the first trimester, since this mineral can be hard on your digestive system.
• Try ginger, an alternative
remedy thought to settle the stomach and help quell queasiness. See if you can
find ginger ale made with real ginger. (Most supermarket ginger ales aren't.)
Grate some fresh ginger into hot water to make ginger tea, or see if ginger
candies help.
A few studies found that taking powdered ginger root in capsules provided some
relief, but be sure to talk to your provider before taking ginger supplements.
There's no way to be sure how much of the active ingredient you're getting in
these supplements, so some experts think it's best not to use them. (As with
many other things that are helpful in small amounts, the effects of megadoses
are unknown.)
• Try an acupressure band, a soft cotton wristband that's sold at drugstores. You strap it on so that the plastic button pushes against an acupressure point on the underside of your wrist. This simple and inexpensive device, designed to ward off seasickness, has helped some pregnant women through morning sickness — although research suggests that it may be largely a placebo effect.
What
about anti-nausea medications?
If the measures above don't provide you with enough relief, let your provider
know so you can get the help you need. If your nausea and
vomiting is getting worse,
waiting too long to take appropriate medication may make it more difficult to
treat.
Your provider will likely suggest that you try taking
vitamin B6. No one knows why B6 eases
nausea in some expectant mothers, but research indicates that it works for some
women and it's consistently been shown to be safe when taken in commonly
recommended doses.
The usual dose for treating
morning sickness is 10 to 25
milligrams three times a day, but check with your provider before taking
anything. She can tell you how much to take and whether the amount in your
prenatal vitamin should count as one of the doses. (The amount of vitamin B6 in
prenatal supplements varies by brand.)
Don't take more vitamin B6 than your caregiver recommends. Too much can cause
numbness and nerve damage and may not be safe for your developing baby.
If vitamin B6 isn't enough to do the job, there are other
anti-nausea medications that are
considered safe and effective during pregnancy.
What
if I just can't keep anything down?
Call your provider if you haven't been able to keep anything — including fluids
— down for 24 hours. (If you're newly pregnant and don't yet have a doctor or
midwife, go to the emergency room.)
You may have a condition called hyperemesis gravidarum — literally, "excessive
vomiting in pregnancy." This
condition can be difficult to manage, but the sooner you're diagnosed and begin
treatment, the more likely you'll be able to avoid severe symptoms.
Your caregiver will probably want to give you some intravenous fluids right
away, since you'll most likely be seriously dehydrated. Then she'll need to do
some tests to check your electrolyte levels and make sure no underlying illness
is causing your constant vomiting. Depending on your condition, you may need to
be hospitalized for a few days so that you can continue to receive IV fluids and
medication.
Many women feel much better after they're rehydrated and are able to control
their symptoms with
anti-nausea medication. In rare
cases, you'll need to continue to receive intravenous therapy on and off either
in the hospital or at home.
If inadequately treated, hyperemesis gravidarum can result in chronic
dehydration, weight loss, malnutrition, and other complications for you and your
baby.
Homoeopathic Remedies for Morning Sickness
Asarum: This remedy is indicated when a woman feels very ill, with constant nausea and retching. She is extremely sensitive to everything—especially noise, which can aggravate the nauseous feelings. She feels best when lying down and resting. Cool drinks or food may help, but it is hard for her to even think of eating.
Colchicum: Horrible nausea that is worse from the sight and smell of food (especially eggs or fish) often indicates this remedy. The woman retches and vomits, and has a sore and bloated feeling in the abdomen. She has trouble eating anything — although she often craves things, when she tries to eat them they make her sick. She is likely to feel ill from many smells that others don’t even notice.
Ipecacuanha: This remedy is indicated for intense and constant nausea that is felt all day (not only in the morning) with retching, belching, and excessive salivation. The woman may feel worse from lying down, but also worse from motion. Even after the woman vomits, she remains nauseous.
Kreosotum: When this remedy is indicated, the woman may salivate so much that she constantly swallows it, becoming nauseous. She may also vomit up food that looks undigested, several hours after eating.
Lacticum acidum: This remedy is indicated for “classic morning sickness”: nausea worse immediately on waking in the morning and on opening the eyes. The woman may salivate a lot and have burning stomach pain. She usually has a decent appetite and feels better after eating.
Nux vomica: Nausea, especially in the morning and after eating, may respond to this remedy—especially if the woman is irritable, impatient, and chilly. She may retch a lot and have the urge to vomit, often without success. Her stomach feels sensitive and crampy, and she may be constipated.
Pulsatilla: This remedy can be helpful if nausea is worse in the afternoon and evening (often in the morning, as well). The woman is not very thirsty, although she may feel better from drinking something cool. She can crave many different foods, but feels sick from many things (including foods she craves). Creamy foods or desserts may be appealing, but can cause discomfort and burping or bring on vomiting. A woman who needs this remedy usually is affectionate, insecure, and weepy—wanting a lot of attention and comforting.
Sepia: Gnawing, intermittent nausea with an empty feeling in the stomach suggests a need for this remedy. It is especially indicated for a woman who is feeling irritable, sad, worn out, and indifferent to her family. She feels worst in the morning before she eats, but is not improved by eating and may vomit afterward. Nausea can be worse when she is lying on her side. Odors of any kind may aggravate the symptoms. Food often tastes too salty. She may lose her taste for many foods, but may still crave vinegar and sour things.
Tabacum: This remedy can be helpful to a woman who feels a ghastly nausea with a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. She looks extremely pale, feels very cold and faint, and needs to lie very still and keep her eyes closed. If she moves at all, she may vomit violently—or break out in cold sweat and feel terrible
© Dr. Samir Chaukkar
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