Is Morning Sickness Normal in Early Pregnancy?

Pregnancy is all about change physically, emotionally and hormonally. One of the earliest and most talked about symptoms is morning sickness. Just like the name implies, morning sickness is almost exclusively a time related symptom; however, it is not a 100% that a person has to only experience morning sickness in the morning.

In fact, many women suffer from nausea and sometimes vomiting at any time of the day, especially in the first trimester.

So how normal is morning sickness and when should it be a cause for concern?

What Is Morning Sickness?

Morning sickness is a term for nausea and occasional vomiting with the typical onset starting early in pregnancy. It usually starts around the sixth week of pregnancy and usually improves by the time the first trimester ends. For most women, it is mild and manageable, even if it is often uncomfortable.

The physiological cause of morning sickness is thought to be rising levels of hormones, such as human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), estrogen, fluctuations in blood sugar levels and an increased ability to smell.

Is It a Sign of a Healthy Pregnancy?

In most cases, morning sickness is a positive sign. It usually means that pregnancy hormones are rising as they should be. Some studies even indicate that women who experience nausea during pregnancy have a slightly decreased chance of miscarriage. Of course, every pregnancy is different. Some people may never have nausea before going on to have perfectly healthy pregnancies. The fact that you have not had morning sickness does not automatically mean that there is something wrong. 

When Does It Become a Concern?

Mild to moderate nausea is very common, however, if you are having consistent or excessive vomiting such that you cannot eat or hydrate, you may be experiencing a more serious condition called hyperemesis gravidarum. 

Hyperemesis gravidarum happens to a small percentage of pregnant women and usually requires medical intervention and sometimes hospitalization, to prevent dehydration and nutrient depletion. Some signs to pay attention to would be losing weight, feeling dizzy when standing up, darker urine and not being able to keep anything to eat or drink down.

How Long Does Morning Sickness Last?

Most women feel better once they get into the second trimester, which is usually around weeks 12 to 14. However, for some women, their symptoms can last longer, sometimes even until week 20 or longer

During this time period it is important to take care of your body and rest when you need to.

What Can Help Ease It?

There is no standard way to treat morning sickness, but recommendations include:

• Eating small and frequent meals, avoiding things that cause nausea such as strong smells and greasy foods.
• Staying hydrated will help alleviate the problem for a lot of women.
• Some women say that ginger tea or eating dry crackers before you get out of bed helps ease nausea. 

If your symptoms are getting worse, seek advice from your doctor. Since there are safe options for treatment you can take while pregnant.

Morning sickness is a normal part of early pregnancy and for the majority it is not permanent. It can interfere with your daily life but, in most cases, it is not dangerous for you or your baby. If you are finding morning sickness difficult to manage or are unsure whether what you are feeling is normal, then do reach out to your gynecologist specialist in Chennai. Pregnancy is a unique experience and your comfort, health and peace of mind are important every step of the way!