Nausea and Morning Sickness
The following information is courtesy of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada.
Although every woman and every pregnancy is different, more than half of all women will suffer some nausea and vomiting ("morning sickness", though it doesn't necessarily happen in the morning) during their pregnancy.
What causes it?
While the exact cause isn't known, it's believed to be a result of the many physical changes - like the higher hormone levels - taking place in your body in the early stages of pregnancy.
How long will it last?
Nausea and vomiting usually begin around the 6th week of pregnancy.
For about 80% of sufferers, it stops at about the 12th week, though
queasiness can continue to come and go throughout the pregnancy. The
other 20% of women suffer with nausea and vomiting longer - sometimes
right until the end of the pregnancy.
Also, most women with nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP) will see it interfere with their usual daily activities,
and will need to change their schedule in some way to cope with the condition.
What are the health effects of NVP?
Most cases aren't harmful to the mother or the unborn child, so long as the dietary deficiencies are short-term. For most women, feelings of nausea and episodes of vomiting decrease at some point during the day so they can feel hungry again and keep food down. However, if you feel so sick you're missing meals day after day, your baby may not be getting all the daily nutrients to grow as healthy as he or she can.
What if I can't keep anything down at all?
About 1% of pregnant women in Canada (about 4000 per year) will suffer
from excessive vomiting in pregnancy called "hyperemesis gravidarum".
In these cases, the lack of food, fluids and nutrients can be harmful
to both to their health and to the well-being of their baby. If left
untreated, severe cases of NVP can lead to dehydration.
Dehydration happens when the body does not have as many fluids as it should. This may be caused by losing too many fluids or by not drinking enough. Severe cases of dehydration may require intravenous fluids and vitamin supplementation from the hospital. Seek medical attention if you suffer from signs of dehydration such as infrequent urination or dark yellow urine. NVP can be difficult to control; the sooner you are diagnosed and begin treatment, the more likely you will be able to avoid severe symptoms.
Where can I find help for NVP?
If you have NVP and are looking for support and counseling, you should talk to your healthcare provider. You may also contact the Motherisk NVP Helpline toll free at 1-800-436-8477 for ways to deal with morning sickness. For information on the safety and risks of medications during pregnancy and breastfeeding, call the Motherisk Program at (416) 813-6780 or visit www.motherisk.org.
Helpful Tips to Control Nausea and Vomiting
DIET - Food
- When you first wake up, eat a few crackers and then rest for 15 minutes before getting out of bed.
- Get up slowly and do not lie down right after eating.
- Eat small meals or snacks often so your stomach does not become empty (for example, every 2 hours). Try not to skip meals.
- Do not hesitate to eat whatever you feel like eating and eat whenever you want to. However, it is best to avoid cooking or eating spicy, fatty and fried foods.
- If cooking odours bother you, open the windows and turn on the stove fan. If possible, ask someone else to cook the meals.
- Try eating cold food instead of hot (cold food may not smell as strong as hot food).
- Sniffing lemons or ginger can sometimes relieve an upset stomach.
- Eating salty potato chips can help settle the stomach enough to eat a meal.
DIET - Drinks
- Drink small amounts of fluids frequently during the day.
- Avoid drinking fluids during meals and immediately before or after a meal.
Food Ideas to Help Relieve Nausea
- Salty: Chips, pretzels
- Tart/Sweet: Pickles, lemonade
- Earthy: Brown rice, mushroom soup, peanut butter
- Crunchy: Celery sticks, apple slices, nuts
- Bland: Mashed potatoes, gelatin, broth
- Soft: Bread, noodles
- Sweet: Cake, sugary cereals
- Fruity: Fruity Popsicles, watermelon
- Liquid: Juice, seltzer, sparkling water, ginger ale
- Dry: Crackers
LIFESTYLE - Rest
- Get plenty of rest since nausea tends to worsen when a woman is tired. Try napping during the day. Typically, a pregnant woman needs more sleep in the first three months of pregnancy.
- You may need to take some time off work or make other arrangements for household chores and childcare.
- Enlist the support of friends and family.
LIFESTYLE - Other
- Get plenty of fresh air and avoid warm places as feeling hot can add to nausea.
- Acupressure wrist bands or acupuncture can be beneficial for some women. If you are considering acupuncture, consult your healthcare professional and look for an experienced and licensed acupuncturist.
- Try ginger, an alternative remedy thought to settle the stomach. Dosages of up to 250 mg four times a day appear to be safe.
- Try taking your prenatal vitamins (one with a lower amount of iron if that mineral makes your nausea worse) with food or just before bed. If multivitamins make your nausea worse, take folic acid alone on a daily basis.