Is Morning Sickness Inevitable?
Have you ever heard those stories about women who didn’t know they were pregnant until they were in labour? Having experienced nausea in the first trimester, those stories baffle me!
Mild to moderate nausea in pregnancy affects 70-80% of women and approximately 50% experience vomiting. Don’t let the term ‘morning sickness’ fool you, because only 17% of women actually have symptoms last only the morning (sorry!). These symptoms generally pass after the first trimester and that is what this blog post is focused on. If severe vomiting is present (hyperemesis gravidarum) during and after the first trimester, it is important that you seek professional treatment and management.
Why do we get it?
Many women think that nausea and vomiting during pregnancy is a given, and while in a lot of cases it is, there are a few theories as to why you may experience it:
· Pregnancy hormones are thought to be a contributing factor in nausea and vomiting. When you’re pregnant there’s an increase in hCG, oestrogen, progesterone and thyroid hormones (T3 and T4). That is a lot of change in a short amount of time, no wonder you feel queasy.
· Evolutionary adaptation is believed to be a protective mechanism where the body develops an aversion to foods that may contain things that are dangerous to consume during pregnancy such as teratogenic or abortifacient chemicals, or pathogens, hence while some foods make you feel nauseous… isn’t the human body amazing!
· Another important consideration in the develop and severity of nausea and vomiting are physiological factors such as stress, lack of social support, negative relationship with your own mother and women on a solo-parent journey. Find your tribe ladies, not only is this important in the early stages of pregnancy, but you’ll be wanting that support during the fourth trimester.
What can I do?
Morning sickness can be debilitating at times; however, it is not all doom and gloom and considered to be part of a healthy pregnancy and not associated with other pregnancy outcomes. In saying that, I want to leave you with a few things to have up your sleeve in case it is affecting your day-to-day functioning. Here goes:
· It goes without saying that the best defence is offence. What that means in this case is preparation, preparation, preparation! Any naturopath will tell you that for preconception care we like to see a couple AT LEAST 3 months before trying to become pregnant (for optimal sperm and egg health and maturation). This also allows us to meet nutritional requirements and assess overall gastrointestinal (GIT) function, which includes ensuring optimal liver detoxification, which may prevent nausea and vomiting.
· Vitamin B6 is our go-to supplement for nausea and vomiting. Numerous studies have shown it to be effective in reducing severity of symptoms. Speak to your naturopath for advice.
· Zingiber officinale (ginger) has traditionally been used in Chinese and Aryuvedic medicine for nausea in pregnancy. Super cheap and easy to find, buy yourself some ginger tea, slice some fresh ginger and steep it in boiling water and sip as needed, or have your naturopath make up a specific herbal mixture which contains ginger. Capsules and tablets are available for those who don’t enjoy the taste.
· While it may seem counterintuitive, eating smaller and more regular meals, with a focus on the protein component, may help reduce symptoms. This helps to regulate blood sugar levels and prevent getting hungry, which often triggers nausea.
· If you are taking prenatal herbs or supplements, make sure you don’t take them on an empty stomach. Nobody wants to feel nauseous after a dose of cod liver oil!
So, there you have it, knowledge is power. Preparation is key, sort out any pre-existing nutritional deficiencies or conditions and get your body in tip top condition before trying to conceive. Remember that it is a normal occurrence in the first trimester and should pass as you enter the second trimester. If it does continue, or if your vomiting is severe, please seek professional help to look after yours and your baby’s health. Enjoy the ride mamas.