Morning sickness is a common symptom of pregnancy. It is most likely the first sign that tells a woman she is pregnant. Although it is called “Morning sickness”, it can happen at any time of the day. It is characterized by nausea and vomiting which may lead to dehydration and weight loss.
Morning sickness is not a dangerous symptom of pregnancy in most women. However, it can get complicated when a pregnant woman gets dehydrated and can’t keep food in her system. This could spell danger to the development of her baby.
The severity of morning sickness varies from person to person and from pregnancy to pregnancy. However, it can be treated. In this article, you will know the causes of morning sickness, the symptoms that accompany it, and the treatment you can use for it.
What is Morning Sickness?
Morning sickness is the feeling of irritation, nausea, and the urge to vomit that is experienced by women that are pregnant, usually from the first month of pregnancy up till the fourth month. This means that morning sickness usually lasts throughout the first trimester and into the beginning of the second trimester of pregnancy.
Morning sickness varies in severity in different women, and even in different pregnancies. It might be intense in a woman’s first pregnancy and mild in the subsequent ones. it can also be so severe in some women that it makes it impossible for them to carry out their daily activities due to tiredness.
Causes of Morning Sickness
Morning sickness, characterized by nausea and vomiting is a symptom of pregnancy and can, therefore, be said to be caused by pregnancy. However, there are women who claim not to experience morning sickness, or if they do, very mildly. Does this mean their pregnancy is special?
Morning sickness is specifically brought about due to the change in hormonal levels that accompanies pregnancy. The level of estrogen and progesterone skyrockets in the first trimester of pregnancy and alters the woman’s body chemistry. Morning sickness ceases when these hormones have begun to stabilize.
Another cause for morning sickness during pregnancy is the lower blood sugar level.
Despite the fact that morning sickness can be mild, there are situation that can aggravate its severity. Some of them are:
- Frequent traveling
- Fatigue
- Being pregnant with multiples (twins, triplets…)
- Emotional stress
Symptoms of Morning Sickness
Morning sickness is itself a symptom of pregnancy. However, there are a host of conditions and health anomaly that leads to vomiting and nausea, one of them being motion sickness. How then can you be sure what you are experiencing is related to pregnancy, and it is in fact, morning sickness.
Here are some symptoms that accompany morning sickness.
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Extreme fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Frequent urination
- Fever
All of these symptoms can be attributed to other health anomalies. However, to be sure yo are suffering from morning sickness, do a pregnancy test.
Treatment of Morning Sickness
As we have constantly said, morning sickness can be mild and can be really intense. Depending on its severity, there are treatments that are effective in bring the nausea and vomit under control. There also home remedies and self-care tips for morning sickness.
For the treatment, ensure that you are pregnant by doing a pregnancy test and seek advice from your doctor on which medication is safe for you to use. Here are some treatment options for morning sickness.
Antihistamines
Antihistamines are a class of drugs used to treat allergies. They work by opposing the activities of histamine receptors in the body. Antihistamines are effective and used in treating motion sickness which bears a similarity to morning sickness in regards to nausea and vomiting.
Antacids
Antacids are medications used to treat symptoms of excessive stomach acid that leads to heartburn, acid reflux and indigestion. These (heartburn, acid reflux and indigestion) can make morning sickness worse and are effectively stopped by antacids. They are available for purchase over the counter.
Metoclopramide
This is a medication used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease, GERD, also known as acid reflux. It is a dangerous medication to use and your doctor should be contacted before using it. It is effective in stopping stomach acids from going back into the mouth through the esophagus, consequently making it effective in stopping vomiting.
Phenothiazine
Phenothiazine is a compound contained in drugs used to treat psychiatric patients and allergies. It is also effective in stopping nausea and vomiting.
Conclusion
Morning sickness is a normal occurrence in pregnant women during their first trimester and the beginning of second trimester. It causes nausea and vomiting and can be effectively treated by home remedies and prescribed medication, depending on its severity.
The symptoms that accompany morning sickness are also symptoms for other health conditions, therefore, be sure that you’re pregnant and consult your doctor before those symptoms are treated to ensure their safety for you and your baby.