Pregnancy is one of the most beautiful things in life. You’re filled with joy and anticipation of bringing your baby into the world and giving them all your love. Unfortunately for most women, morning sickness is a difficult part of this exciting time, and we know how challenging it can be.
At AdventHealth, we seek to care for all of you throughout your journey to parenthood in body, mind and spirit. Our expert care team knows what morning sickness brings and how it affects your daily life. We also know the statistics: More than 50% of pregnant women experience morning sickness, according to the American Pregnancy Association.
With this high percentage in mind, we’re here to explain what to know about morning sickness, how long it’s supposed to last and when you should seek help.
What Is Morning Sickness and Why Does It Happen?
Morning sickness is a term that most of us have heard and may even be experiencing right now. But what is morning sickness? It can be easily identified in pregnant women during their first trimester as nausea and vomiting. It’s a common condition most women experience early in their pregnancy. Despite its name, it doesn’t only affect women in the morning; it can be present in all hours of the day.
What causes morning sickness is still not fully known. According to recent research, the pregnancy hormone known as hCG is believed to cause various responses in women, such as queasiness and vomiting. Every woman’s body will react differently. Some research points to morning sickness being a good sign showing protection to the fetus by getting rid of anything toxic in the mother’s body.
Symptoms and Length of Morning Sickness
Symptoms of morning sickness include:
- Dry heaving
- Feelings of seasickness or car sickness
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Queasiness from certain foods or smells
- Upset stomach
- Vomiting
How long morning sickness will last varies for every woman. However, it typically starts to fade out between the 10 to 14-week period. Some women can experience morning sickness until the 16 to 20-week mark. It’s rare for women to have morning sickness for their entire pregnancy. However, according to the American Pregnancy Association, about 20% of women experience a severe case of morning sickness called hyperemesis gravidarum for their whole pregnancy. For most, though, it’s expected to end after the first trimester.
Tips To Cope With Morning Sickness
Knowing how morning sickness will affect your pregnancy is something we can’t say for sure, but our expert maternity care providers are always here to help. Additionally, we have general tips for dealing with morning sickness to help you cope. We recommend to:
- Avoid eating or drinking foods that make you feel queasy
- Eat nausea-reducing foods like saltine crackers
- Eat smaller meals throughout the day
- Get plenty of sleep
- Sit upright and avoid lying down after you eat
- Stay hydrated
- Take daily vitamins
- Try drinking ginger tea
We know morning sickness can be difficult, but our obstetricians are here to walk with you during every stage of your pregnancy journey and help you understand your risk factors.
Are You at High Risk of Morning Sickness?
Knowing if you’re at a higher risk of severe morning sickness can help you prepare for the months to come. Higher risk of severe morning sickness includes:
- Having a girl
- Having twins
- History of migraines or motion sickness
- Previous pregnancy with severe morning sickness
Knowing whether you’re at higher risk of morning sickness will help you better determine what’s normal and what’s not and when to seek help.
When To Seek Help
It’s important to listen to what your body is telling you during pregnancy. While morning sickness is very common, there are certain cases when you should seek medical attention. These include losing weight, nausea that lasts all day, fast heartbeat, producing little to no urine, vomit that is brown or bloody and having morning sickness into the fourth month.
For most women, morning sickness will go away around the 14-week mark. Although 20% of women have morning sickness for their whole pregnancy, if you’re experiencing it after week 14, it’s time to see your doctor. We know prolonged morning sickness can be unsettling, but you can rest assured that our expert care team is here for your every need at each step of your pregnancy.
We’re Here for Your Pregnancy Journey
Our expert care teams understand the joys and challenges of pregnancy, including morning sickness, and are here to care for you and your little one in body, mind and spirit. To learn more about our pregnancy care or to schedule an appointment, visit us here.
