Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy, often known as morning sickness, is very common in early pregnancy. It can affect you at any time of the day or night or you may feel sick all day long. Morning sickness is unpleasant, and can significantly affect your day-to-day life. But it usually clears up by weeks 16 to 20 of your pregnancy and does not put your baby at any increased risk. There is a chance of developing a severe form of pregnancy sickness called hyperemesis gravidarum. This can be serious, and there's a chance you may not get enough fluids in your body (dehydration) or not get enough nutrients from your diet
(malnourishment). You may need specialist treatment, sometimes in hospital. Sometimes urinary tract infections (UTIs) can also cause nausea and vomiting. A UTI usually affects the bladder, but can spread to the kidneys. Non-urgent advice: Call your midwife, GP or 111 if:you're vomiting and:
Treatments for morning sicknessUnfortunately, there's no hard and fast treatment that will work for everyone’s morning sickness. Every pregnancy will be different. But there are some changes you can make to your diet and daily life to try to ease the symptoms. If these do not work for you or you're having more severe symptoms, your doctor or midwife might recommend medicine. Things you can try yourselfIf your morning sickness is not too bad, your GP or midwife will initially recommend you try some lifestyle changes:
Find out more about vitamins and supplements in pregnancy Anti-sickness medicineIf your nausea and vomiting is severe and does not improve after trying the above lifestyle changes, your GP may recommend a short-term course of an anti-sickness medicine, called an antiemetic, that's safe to use in pregnancy. Often this will be a type of antihistamine, which are usually used to treat allergies but also work as medicines to stop sickness (antiemetic). Antiemetics will usually be given as tablets for you to swallow. But if you cannot keep these down, your doctor may suggest an injection or a type of medicine that's inserted into your bottom (suppository). See your GP if you'd like to talk about getting anti-sickness medication. Risk factors for morning sicknessIt's thought hormonal changes in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy are probably one of the causes of morning sickness. But you may be more at risk of it if:
Visit the pregnancy sickness support site for tips for you and your partner on dealing with morning sickness. Find maternity services near you Sign up for pregnancy emailsSign up for Start4Life's weekly emails for expert advice, videos and tips on pregnancy, birth and beyond. Video: how can I cope with morning sickness?In this video, a midwife gives advice on how to deal with morning sickness during your pregnancy. Media last reviewed: 27 February 2017
According to the American Pregnancy Association, morning sickness can affect as many as 85% of pregnant women, but only about 60 – 70% of pregnant women experience vomiting as a symptom. Even without vomiting, nausea from morning sickness can be miserable, making it difficult to get through the day. What Is Morning Sickness?The term might imply that this sickness only happens in the morning. The truth is that some women feel nauseous more frequently in the mornings, but the discomfort and symptoms can last throughout the day. These symptoms can hit any time day or night! Doctors don’t know the exact cause of morning sickness. But it is thought that the hormone changes in pregnancy play a role. During the first trimester, the body is producing higher levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which could cause the body to react with morning sickness symptoms. These hormones can cause a domino effect of indigestion, heartburn, and slowed digestion, which can all contribute to feelings of nausea and vomiting. What Are The Best Foods To Eat To Help Ease Nausea During Pregnancy?Pregnancy diet results vary, but there are common themes regarding the best foods for nausea during pregnancy. Here are some of the food choices that seem to help with the reduction of morning sickness symptoms:
Don’t stress if your dietary choices are limited in the first trimester. The baby doesn’t have significant nutritional needs at this point. If you started the pregnancy with a reasonable body weight, then it means that you likely still have the reserve supply of vitamins and minerals needed for your baby. As your appetite returns, then you will be able to consume the foods that are essential when the baby gets bigger. More Tips If You’re Experiencing Morning Sickness During PregnancyNot only do the types of food matter, but the frequency and portion sizes can also play a role in morning sickness. Here are a few more recommendations for help if you are experiencing nausea during pregnancy:
Each Woman (and Pregnancy) is UniqueWhat helps nausea during pregnancy? The trick to managing morning sickness is to figure out what works for YOU! Every woman is different, which means that some diets and home remedies might be more or less effective, depending on the person. Women who have had multiple pregnancies also find that their morning sickness changes from one pregnancy to the next. As a result, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach for the management of morning sickness. The key is to pay attention to what triggers your nausea and what seems to help. Identifying the pattern can be an important step in helping you feel better throughout the day. Monitor What Food or Foods You Are EatingPay attention to what your body is telling you about the best foods for nausea during pregnancy. This process will help you in determining a morning sickness diet plan that will be optimal for your needs. Hana Tonic For Morning SicknessAt Hana Tonic, we’ve created the best blend of natural ingredients to help with nausea relief. The formulation of lemon, pineapple, ginger, B vitamins, and cayenne are combined in the only organic anti-nausea shot on the market. Reach out to us any time for more information. What foods help with nausea while pregnant?Best foods for morning sickness. Bland, easy-to-digest foods (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast). High-protein foods (chicken, peanut butter, beans). Cold beverages and snacks (smoothies, almond milk). Ginger.. Carbonated beverages.. Herbal teas and broth.. Fruits and vegetables high in water content (watermelon, cucumbers). How can I stop feeling nauseous during pregnancy?get plenty of rest (tiredness can make nausea worse) avoid foods or smells that make you feel sick. eat something like dry toast or a plain biscuit before you get out of bed. eat small, frequent meals of plain foods that are high in carbohydrate and low in fat (such as bread, rice, crackers and pasta)
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