It is also called as nausea, vomiting of pregnancy. The nausea can be very mild or can produce vomiting. In severe cases it is called hyperemesis gravidarum, the patient requires hospitalization to treat the dehydration.

It usually occurs in the first 3 months and eventually decreases. It is more severe in first pregnancy or in multiple fetuses like in twin pregnancy. It occurs in about 50%-80% of pregnant ladies. Morning sickness is a misnomer, as it can occur at any time in a day.

It is mainly caused due to sudden and dramatic changes that occur during early pregnancy. It can be increased due to emotional stress, travel, smell or taste of some food items.

Tips to relieve the symptoms

• Eat small and frequent meals throughout the day.
• Eat soda crackers or dry toast before getting out of bed in the early morning.
• Take small and light snack at the bed time or in the middle of night when you wake up to go to the bathroom.
• Avoid greasy, spicy, fatty foods.
• Maintain the hydration of the body by regularly taking water or tender coconut water. Take small sips of water instead of drinking full glass of water.
• Drink ginger tea when you feel nauseating.
• Wearing acupressure wrist bands sometimes help to control nausea.
• Eat bland foods, eat more of carbohydrates.
• Avoid iron and vitamin tablets.

When to seek medical help

• If you are not tolerating even liquids for more than one hour.
• If you have blood while vomiting this may be bright red or black coffee ground color.
• If you have lost more than 2 pounds.
• If you have vomited more than four times in one day.

Severe morning sickness (hyperemesis gravidarum) requires hospital stay and treatment with intravenous fluids and medications like anti-emetics to control nausea. Sometimes severe or persistent nausea or vomiting may be due to other medical conditions not related to pregnancy like thyroid, liver or gall bladder disease.

Recent studies indicate that those who have morning sickness, starving the mother during first trimester causes increase in the size of placenta which ensures better nutrition for the fetus for the rest of pregnancy, reducing the risk of abortion.

Who are more prone to get this?

• If you are pregnant with twins or higher multiples. It is due to high levels of HCG, estrogens in the body.
• If you had nausea or vomiting during previous pregnancy.
• If you have a history of motion sickness.
• If you have genetic predisposition to morning sickness.
• History of migraine headaches.
• If you are carrying a girl child. In a study it showed that 50% of woman with morning sickness gave birth to girl baby.
• Vitamin B6 is known to reduce the symptoms of morning sickness.