Morning sickness is quite prevalent in the first trimester of pregnancy. It often starts during the 6th week of pregnancy, peaks around week 9, and disappears in 95% of women by the 12th week, but can last up to 16–18 weeks. This rarely extends to the time of  delivery.

Morning sickness can occur any time of day. It has been found that the Pregnancy hormones cause this unpleasant sense of loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting that can sometimes be severe.

It is then called Hyperemesis gravidarum and is a serious disorder. Hyperemesis is associated with frequent vomiting, weight loss, inability to eat or drink, and may need hospitalization for IV fluids and medication.

Women with a history of gastrointestinal issues (ie, reflux, ulcers), those who are pregnant with twins, triplets, or other multiples and molar pregnancies are more likely to develop nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.

Diet and lifestyle changes treat mild to moderate vomiting without dehydration:

• Dietary intervention, we recommend multiple modest protein and carbohydrate-rich diets.
• Your taste buds don’t enjoy your usual flavors but will tolerate modest changes. Ginger—powdered ginger or ginger tea—may aid some women with nausea and vomiting.
• Focus on something else while eating.
• Eat before you’re hungry to avoid gastritis.
• You may still feel nauseous after dietary changes.
• Tolerating the symptoms lets you eat and drink enough to be hydrated and not lose weight.
• Smelling fresh lemon, mint, or orange or using an oil diffuser with these aromas may also help, but you may change the fragrances often to keep your senses fresh.

Identifying and avoiding triggers (smells, tastes, sounds) is one of the best ways to reduce pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting.

• Avoiding spicy meals helps some ladies.
• Brushing your teeth or rinsing with mouthwash after eating can minimize nausea caused by residual food flavour.

 

Dehydration may require intravenous (iv) fluids if you can’t eat or drink. Depending on your vomiting severity, your doctor or nurse may do this at their office or in the hospital. To rest the intestines, you may not eat or drink for a while. After 24–48 hours, you can start eating and drinking again. In severe situations, steroids or antiemetics to prevent vomiting are administered.

Pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting usually resolves without consequences. Early-pregnancy vomiting reduces weight gain. Unless the woman was underweight before pregnancy, this rarely affects the baby.

Women with severe nausea and vomiting (hyperemesis gravidarum) who are hospitalized numerous times and don’t gain weight throughout pregnancy have a slight risk of having a smaller baby.

Hyperemesis gravidarum recurs in 15–20% of subsequent pregnancies.