You see morning sickness all the time on sitcoms. The main character sees her positive pregnancy test, only to immediately begin vomiting. Her nausea and cravings are shown as running jokes as she handles her pregnancy in humorous ways.
I’m twelve weeks pregnant with my second child, so I will be the first to tell you that morning sickness is no joke. The changes your body goes through in early pregnancy are complicated, and morning sickness is a natural occurrence.
However, it is nothing to be afraid of. Read on as I answer your burning questions about nausea in the first trimester and offer a few helpful tips for dealing with it.
All About Morning Sickness
What is morning sickness?
Morning sickness is nausea and vomiting that can start in early pregnancy. This “morning” sickness isn’t limited to just the morning and can be felt morning, noon and night! Women describe their symptoms as a queasy feeling like seasickness, having a strong aversion to smells, and nausea after eating that can lead to vomiting.
Why does it happen?
Doctors aren’t exactly sure what causes morning sickness or why some women face weeks of nausea while others may barely notice a change in their body.
One theory is that morning sickness is caused by a reaction to the pregnancy hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). This is the hormone that triggers a positive pregnancy test, and it is produced at the highest rate during the first trimester.1
Other doctors think it’s a evolutionary design to protect us from eating harmful foods. Sticking with a simple diet probably decreased the likelihood of our ancestors ingesting something dangerous.2
What if I never get nauseous? Is something wrong?
No, nothing is wrong! While as many as three out of four pregnant women experience morning sickness, you might be that lucky one in four. Morning sickness is a very common symptom of early pregnancy, but not the only one. You might also feel tired, bloated, have sore breasts, or light cramping.3
Always talk to your doctor if you have concerns about your pregnancy.
How long does morning sickness last?
The first trimester always seems to drag on and on for me. The light at the end of the tunnel varies per person, but most women tend to see a decrease in nausea and vomiting between 12 and 16 weeks.
By the second trimester, the placenta has taken over most of the hormone production, making things easier on your body!4 However, some women experience nausea through their whole pregnancy, which is also normal.
Ways to Cope
1. Avoid Strong Smells
For many women, morning sickness can be triggered by potent smells. To reduce nausea, try cooking simple meals without lingering smells or having a friend/partner go to the grocery store for you.
2. Eat Small Meals
An empty stomach isn’t good for morning sickness. During early pregnancy, it can be helpful to eat five or six small meals throughout the day so your body isn’t overwhelmed. For me, I notice less nausea if I don’t get too hungry during the day, even if eating doesn’t really sound great.
3. Start Your Day Slow
Although morning sickness isn’t limited to just mornings, lots of people feel their worst early in the day. It can help to keep crackers on your nightstand to munch before trying to get up. Spend a few minutes slowly sitting up, sipping some water, and taking deep breaths before getting ready for your day.
4. Stay Hydrated
It’s important to stay hydrated in early pregnancy, especially if you’re experiencing vomiting. If you can’t keep down water, try gatorade, sparkling water, sprite, or juice. Any liquid is going to help replace the lost electrolytes in your body.5
5. Stick to Simple Foods
While you want to eat a balanced diet as much as possible, during the first few months you should eat what you can, regardless of nutritional value. What foods are good for morning sickness? Although it varies from person to person, starchy, bland foods like potatoes, bread, dry cereal, and rice are some of the best foods for morning sickness. Fresh fruit can also be easy on the stomach.
6. Use Essential Oils
If you’re sensitive to smells, this might be the tip to try (or avoid). Essential oils can help by making your environment smell better through a diffuser and by benefiting your body. If you are placing essential oils on your skin, be sure to mix them with a carrier oil first to avoid irritating your skin.6 Some popular oils to use in pregnancy are lemon, lavender, peppermint, fennel, and ginger.
7. Try Candies
Speaking of ginger, some women swear by ginger chew candies to decrease their morning sickness. I really like Preggie Pop Drops, which are made with essential oils. Try a few kinds to see what works for you!
When To See Your Doctor
Tell your doctor if you have been unable to keep anything down for more than 24 hours or if you are losing weight. Some nausea and vomiting is normal, but it’s important to communicate with your doctor about the changes to your body. If you haven’t found an OB yet, this article can help!
If your nausea and morning sickness is interfering with your daily life, your doctor may recommend medication. A commonly prescribed option is Diclegis. It’s two pills taken before bed which can help morning sickness that isn’t helped by diet and lifestyle changes.7
This Too Shall Pass
Although feeling sick isn't something anyone wants, morning sickness lasts only for a short period of time. Using the seven tips I’ve provided, you can go through your first trimester confident in your ability to manage morning sickness. I am right here in the thick of it with you; together we can manage the symptoms of the first trimester and make it through to the other side.
Sources:
- Morning Sickness - Stanford Children's Health. Stanford Children's Health - Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford. https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=morning-sickness-1-2080. Accessed March 22, 2021.
- Choi CQ. Causes of Morning Sickness Revealed. LiveScience. https://www.livescience.com/2531-morning-sickness-revealed.html. Published May 18, 2008. Accessed March 22, 2021.
- Symptoms of pregnancy: What happens first. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/getting-pregnant/in-depth/symptoms-of-pregnancy/art-20043853. Published May 11, 2019. Accessed March 22, 2021.
- Kinsey A. When Does the Placenta Take Over. Hello Motherhood. https://www.hellomotherhood.com/13707585/when-does-the-placenta-take-over/. Published February 12, 2021. Accessed March 22, 2021.
- Jaret P. Preventing Dehydration When You Have Diarrhea or Vomiting. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/features/prevent-dehydration. Published September 10, 2011. Accessed March 22, 2021.
- Watson K. Essential Oils for Nausea. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/essential-oils-for-nausea. Published September 29, 2018. Accessed March 22, 2021.
- What is Diclegis. FDA-Approved Morning Sickness Medication - Diclegis®. https://www.diclegis.com/en. Accessed March 22, 2021.