Morning sickness is not an illness, but a pregnancy-specific change. Many women struggle with nausea, especially in the first few weeks—in fact, 70 to 80 percent of all pregnant women are affected. Many are particularly plagued by an upset stomach in the morning, immediately after waking up. For others, it sets in in the evening or lasts all day. In some cases, nausea during pregnancy can even lead to vomiting.
Others, however, are not affected by morning sickness. The severity of this sickness varies from woman to woman and is different for each pregnancy. Hyperemesis gravidarum is a particularly severe and uncontrollable form of vomiting during pregnancy, which can lead to dehydration and significant weight loss. Morning sickness is one of the most common symptoms of early pregnancy and, fortunately, usually subsides around the 12th to 14th week of pregnancy.
If certain smells suddenly make you feel sick, brushing your teeth becomes torture, or you're wondering what you can do about the constant nausea, we've put together some helpful tips and information for you in this article.
Where does nausea during pregnancy come from?
Unfortunately, the cause of nausea during pregnancy has not yet been definitively determined, as too many changes in the female body occur. However, it is suspected that a significant change in hormone levels, particularly the increase in estrogen and the pregnancy hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin), is primarily responsible.
Other, less common causes of discomfort can include various illnesses unrelated to pregnancy, such as abdominal pain or metabolic disorders. In most cases, however, these are accompanied by other noticeable symptoms.
Psychological factors, such as stress or nutritional deficiencies, can also trigger or worsen nausea.
When does morning sickness start and how long does it last?
There's no exact time for nausea to occur. Every woman reacts differently to the physical changes during pregnancy.
Early pregnancy
Those affected often experience the first signs of nausea in early pregnancy, around the fifth week of pregnancy, i.e., shortly after the missed period. Hormones are raging, and the body has to adjust to the new circumstances.
When is morning sickness at its peak?
From the onset of pregnancy nausea, it often increases until it reaches its peak in most cases around the 9th to 11th week. It usually ends after the first trimester, i.e., after the 12th week.
This is due, among other things, to the fact that the pregnancy hormone hCG increases sharply shortly after fertilization and reaches its highest level at the end of the third month of pregnancy.
End of nausea during pregnancy
Fortunately, as pregnancy hormones decline after the first trimester, the annoying nausea improves significantly or may even disappear completely. In rare cases, it lasts the entire pregnancy or may even occur at another time during the 40 weeks.
What time of day does morning sickness occur?
Most often, it's referred to as morning sickness, as many pregnant women complain of an unpleasant feeling in their stomach immediately after getting up. However, it can also occur at any other time of day.
Morning sickness
Morning sickness is perhaps the most common form of pregnancy, as blood sugar levels are lower in the morning than during the day. Furthermore, the gap between dinner and breakfast is very long due to the lack of food. Added to this is the low fluid intake, which is good for our circulation.
Tension caused by lying down at night can trigger nausea. Changes in hormone levels in the morning could also be responsible for morning sickness.
Nausea in the evening
In some cases, morning sickness also occurs in the evening or at night. This makes it difficult to fall asleep. It is recommended to pay attention to what you eat in the evening.
It's also better to avoid fatty foods, as excess stomach acid and heavy foods can easily trigger nausea. A stressful daily routine and the resulting fatigue and exhaustion can also sometimes lead to this not uncommon phenomenon.
All-day nausea
The daylong nausea can be caused, among other things, by the pregnancy hormone hCG. Furthermore, long breaks between meals aren't exactly helpful. Therefore, you should always keep a small snack in your handbag to prevent a small hunger pang.
Psychological stress can also sometimes upset the stomach. Too many different smells can also trigger nausea. Other possible causes include thyroid dysfunction or a generally sensitive stomach.
No nausea during pregnancy
Every body reacts differently to hormones. Every woman knows this from her normal cycle. Some get cravings before their period, others don't. It's the same during pregnancy. One mother struggles with morning sickness exclusively in the first trimester, another throughout the entire pregnancy, and another is completely spared.
Tips for morning sickness
There are various tips and remedies for relieving nausea during pregnancy. Each mother must determine the effectiveness of each method for herself.
These tips can help make nausea during pregnancy more bearable:
- Eat a small snack in the morning before getting up.
- Tip: In the evening, put some rusks or crispbread and lightly sweetened tea on your bedside table. This will boost your blood sugar levels and your circulation.
- Several small meals spread throughout the day are more tolerable.
- Eat more carbohydrates and avoid spicy, fatty, spicy, or sugary foods; coffee, juices, and carbonated water can increase nausea during pregnancy.
- Avoid cigarette smoke at all costs.
Avoid unwanted smells and foods. - Drink 3 cups of ginger tea per day or place a slice of ginger on your tongue; ginger drops can also have an antispasmodic effect.
- Try a different brand of toothpaste.
- Acupuncture and acupressure can help; many midwives, alternative practitioners, and doctors offer them.
- Drink plenty of fluids and ensure regular fluid intake: herbal teas are particularly well tolerated.
- Vitamin B deficiency can be a cause of morning sickness; a balanced diet can prevent it.
- Vitamin B12 is found in meat and fish, some vegetables, dairy products and whole grains, as well as soy and wheat germ.
- Vitamin B6 is found in animal sources such as fish, meat and dairy products or in plant sources such as green beans, avocado, yeast, nuts, bananas, lentils, potatoes, whole grain products or lamb's lettuce.
- The scent of lemon and grapefruit can have a relaxing effect.
- Exercise can stimulate your metabolism; a leisurely walk, Pilates, or yoga gets your circulation going.
- Sufficient sleep is important for your well-being and that of your baby.
Preventing morning sickness – is it possible?
Once the pregnant woman has identified the possible trigger, keeping a diary can be helpful. This will help her learn how best to structure her day. She can eat a high-carbohydrate meal in the evening, and perhaps a small snack like rusks or crispbread at night, as blood sugar drops at night and can cause nausea.
Alternatively, you can eat it immediately after waking up. It's advisable to get out of bed slowly so your circulation gets going. Getting up too quickly often leads to dizziness and nausea.
Coffee and juices should be avoided if possible. In addition, exercise in the fresh air can have a positive effect on both mother and baby. If a gag reflex occurs while brushing teeth, it's worth using a children's toothbrush or your finger in acute cases.
Nausea during pregnancy at work
In principle, pregnant women are given special consideration in the workplace under the Maternity Protection Act, which provides them with sufficient time for recovery and sufficient short breaks. However, this can only be implemented if the employer is aware of the pregnancy. However, since many affected women suffer from nausea during early pregnancy, i.e., in the first few weeks, colleagues and superiors are often not informed of the new circumstances.
In this case, women with severe morning sickness have the option of taking sick leave or, if it persists for a longer period, taking a vacation.
Is nausea during pregnancy dangerous?
Most sufferers experience the familiar morning sickness; more rarely, it also persists during the day and/or night. Normal nausea is harmless to the unborn child. Medically, it is distinguished from hyperemesis gravidarum, which is accompanied by severe vomiting. ALWAYS see a doctor if the suffering becomes too great. It is clear that quality of life is significantly reduced if the nausea persists, and even more so if little or no food remains in the stomach. Fortunately, only 2 percent of all pregnant women are affected by hyperemesis gravidarum.
Danger!
The water loss that accompanies vomiting is dangerous. If the expectant mother vomits more than five times a day or loses approximately five percent of her weight, she should consult a doctor immediately.
Always seek medical advice
Important note: This article contains only general information and should not be used for self-diagnosis or treatment. It is not a substitute for a consultation with a doctor.
Many moms simply have a queasy feeling in their stomach. Some have to vomit, which often provides short-term relief.
In fact, 70 to 80 percent of pregnant women are affected. Only 2 percent suffer from the extreme form, hyperemesis gravidarum.
In most cases, the peak is reached around the 9th to 11th week and the nausea ends after the first trimester, i.e. after the 12th week.
It is usually exacerbated by hunger, stress, and fatigue. Therefore, these conditions should be avoided.
Vomiting up to five times a day is generally not harmful. If vomiting occurs more frequently, a doctor should be consulted.
As pregnancy hormone levels drop after the first trimester, annoying morning sickness usually improves or disappears completely.
A study shows that women who suffered from morning sickness were up to 50 to 75 percent less likely to have a premature birth. That's a good thing, right?
Most pregnant women suffer from morning sickness, but the severity is not the same every day.
Since a vitamin B deficiency is often also responsible for morning sickness, you should pay attention to a balanced diet with plenty of B vitamins and also eat foods rich in carbohydrates.
Women with severe morning sickness have the option of initially taking sick leave or, if it persists for a longer period, taking vacation.
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