Insights in Pregnancy Morning Sickness
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Pregnancy morning sickness can occur any time of the day, although the name sounds like it can only occur during morning time. More than fifty percent of pregnant women are affected by this ailment. Many pregnant women can experience nausea and vomiting during the first trimester of pregnancy and can last until the 12th to 15th week. There are some cases that it can last though out the entire pregnancy.
Morning sickness does not harm you or your unborn baby, but if you experience excessive vomiting it is best to see a doctor, especially if your body cannot keep food in your stomach.
Excessive vomiting is called Hyperemesis gravidarum, and can be harmful for both you and your baby if left untreated. Extreme cases of pregnancy morning sickness or Hyperemesis gravidarum might result to dehydration. In this situation hospitalization is a must, and should not be taken lightly.
Causes of morning sickness
The root cause is not yet determined at present time, but there are theories of possible cause of pregnancy morning sickness. Possible common causes include:
Increase of Hormone
During pregnancy hormone level increases and it is believed that it is related to morning sickness. Estrogen, progesterone, and human chorionic gonadotropin are believed to be the specific hormones that cause morning sickness. Estrogen level may increase by up to hundredfold during pregnancy. It is believed by many scientist and doctors that the great increase of estrogen may be the cause of pregnancy morning sickness. Progesterone relaxes the muscles in the uterus, which prevents early childbirth. It may also relax the stomach which leads to excess stomach acids during pregnancy. Human chorionic gonadotropin is produced by the embryo right after conception and later by the placenta. The presence of these hormones is believed by many to be the main cause of pregnancy morning sickness.
Hypoglycemia
Low blood sugar or hypoglycemia is due to the placenta draining the energy from a pregnant woman. Studies have not confirmed this at present.
Increase in sensitivity to smells
Pregnant women experience increase in sensitivity to smell, as a result the get nauseated of the odors they smell. A pregnant woman tends to be choosy of the odors that surround her.
Detoxifying
The body is detoxifying for the health of the unborn baby. The liver and kidneys becoming more active than usual at the early stage of the pregnancy is an evidence that’s support this theory.
Treatments
Pregnancy morning sickness has no known permanent cure at present, but there are things that can be done to lessen the symptoms this ailment. Treatments include:
Drinking plenty of water
Drinking plenty of water helps rehydrate the body, but it is important to take note that you should not drink fluids with your meals. Drinking of liquid must be done 30 to 45 minutes after eating food.
Eating small healthy meals frequently
You should always avoid empty stomach, even if persistent vomiting occur try eating more to regain energy that has been lost. Eat your healthy meals every two hours or so. It is also best to avoid spicy and fatty foods in your diet, these kinds of foods will make morning sickness worse. Even just by smelling spicy and fatty foods may increase your nausea.
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