The ESK blog
Managing morning sickness
19 August 2024
Dr Anne Thomson
Managing Morning Sickness: Tips from Your Friendly Doctor
Hey there, mum-to-be! Let's chat about something you might be dreading in your pregnancy: morning sickness. The good news is that it's totally common, but the bad news is that it can seriously be a real nuisance. Here’s the lowdown on how to manage it and keep you feeling your best.
What is Morning Sickness?
Morning sickness is that pesky nausea and vomiting that loves to show up during pregnancy, impacting up to 80% of women. It usually starts in the first 9 weeks and often eases up by 14 weeks. And just to keep things interesting, it can strike any time of day, not just in the morning.
Why does it happen?
The exact cause of these conditions is still a bit of a mystery, but we do know it's likely due to a mix of factors. High levels of the pregnancy hormone, Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin (HCG), especially in cases involving multiple pregnancies, seem to play a big role. There’s even some buzz about Helicobacter pylori infection possibly increasing the likelihood of severe nausea. Other factors like thyroid hormone levels, multiple pregnancies, and even having a girl baby have been tossed into the mix, but the evidence isn’t super solid.
Genetics also seem to have a say in who gets hit the hardest by morning sickness. Studies show that if your mum or sister had severe morning sickness, you're more likely to experience it too. Researchers have even identified specific genes that might be involved.
So if you have nausea and vomiting in pregnancy what do you do?
Medications Can Help
There are medications out there that can make morning sickness more manageable. Vitamin B6 and ginger tablets are popular options. Vitamin B6 is often combined with the antihistamine doxylamine with good effect. Classic anti-nausea drugs like metoclopramide and ondansetron are safe to use and highly effective. Despite this, most women are scared to use any anti-nausea medications and in one recent study, only 15%, including those with moderate to severe symptoms went for some kind of medication! Maybe you’d be open to an over-the-counter antacid? They can be found at your pharmacy, containing magnesium, calcium or aluminium and all are recommended.
Tips to Manage Morning Sickness
Rest: Feeling exhausted makes nausea in pregnancy worse. Head to bed earlier and grab a daytime nap when you can.
Stay Hydrated: Sip fluids between meals. Drinking with meals might fill you up too quickly, making it tough to eat.
Eat Small, Frequent Meals: Skipping meals can make nausea worse. So, try to nibble on something every two hours.
Choose Mild, Non-Fatty Foods: Room temperature or cold foods without strong smells are easier on the tummy.
Pick Your Moment: Eat when you feel your best, maybe 20-30 minutes after taking anti-nausea meds.
Check Your Supplements: Iron supplements can upset your stomach. But taking your regular antenatal vitamins may actually help combat nausea. Talk to your doctor or dietitian before making any changes.
Avoid Smoking: It can worsen nausea and is harmful to both you and your baby.
A small number of women experience hyperemesis, which is severe, prolonged vomiting. It can lead to dehydration, weight loss, and affect your baby’s growth. If your nausea and vomiting are intense, see your doctor.
Treating Hyperemesis
Medications: Regular meds can help relieve symptoms. Follow your doctor’s recommendations.
Stay Hydrated: Drink enough fluids and eat whatever you can keep down.
Hospital Care: If you can’t eat or drink enough, you might need hospital treatment for fluids and nutrition.
Seek Support: Stress, depression, and anxiety can make things worse. Don’t hesitate to ask for help from your doctor, midwife, or dietitian.
Return to Healthy Eating: Once symptoms settle, focus on replacing missed nutrients. Go back to having your prenatal multivitamin as soon as you can keep it down.
Remember, you’re not alone in this. Morning sickness is a common part of pregnancy, but with a few tweaks and the right support, you can manage it. Hang in there, and don’t hesitate to reach out to your healthcare team!