MORNING SICKNESS DURING PREGNANCY

General Information

DEFINITION--Nausea during pregnancy. This usually occurs in the morning but may occur at any time. Most pregnant women experience at least mild morning sickness.

BODY PARTS INVOLVED--Muscles of the intestinal tract; vomiting center in the hypothalamus gland.

SEX OR AGE MOST AFFECTED--Pregnant women.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS--Mild to severe nausea--with or without vomiting--usually during the first 12 to 14 weeks of pregnancy.

CAUSES--Major hormone changes that take place to permit normal growth of the fetus. Progesterone and other hormones cause involuntary muscles to relax, probably slowing movement of food through the stomach and intestines. They may also affect the vomiting center in the brain. In addition, blood sugar is lower during early pregnancy in many women, contributing to gastrointestinal upsets.

RISK INCREASES WITH--Unknown.

HOW TO PREVENT--No specific preventive measures.

What To Expect

DIAGNOSTIC MEASURES--

• Your own observation of symptoms.
• Medical history and physical exam by a doctor.

APPROPRIATE HEALTH CARE

• Self-care after diagnosis.
• Doctor's treatment, if morning sickness becomes disabling.

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS--Hyperemesis gravidarum, a condition of pregnancy characterized by severe nausea, vomiting, weight loss and electrolyte disturbance (rare).

PROBABLE OUTCOME--Usually stops after the first 3 to 4 months of pregnancy.

How To Treat

GENERAL MEASURES--

• Keep rooms well-ventilated to prevent accumulation of cooking odors or cigarette smoke.
• Don't smoke cigarettes, and ask your family and friends not to smoke while you are experiencing morning sickness.
• Keep a positive attitude. If you have conflicts that you cannot resolve, ask for help from family, friends or professional counselors.
• Keep a daily record of your weight.

MEDICATION--Medicine is usually not necessary for this disorder. Don't take any medications during pregnancy without consulting your doctor. Your doctor may prescribe a trial of vitamin B-6, which appears safe at the present.

ACTIVITY--No restrictions.

DIET--The following may help minimize nausea:

• Place a small, quick-energy snack, such as soda crackers, at your bedside. Eat it before getting up in the morning.
• Eat a small snack at bedtime and when you get up to go to the bathroom during the night.
• Eat a snack as often as every hour or two during the day. Avoid large meals. Snacks should consist of high-protein foods, such as: peanut butter on apple slices or celery; nuts; a quarter-sandwich; cheese and crackers; milk; cottage cheese; yogurt sprinkled with granola; and turkey or chicken slices. Avoid foods that are high in fat and salt and low in nutrition.

Call Your Doctor If

• You have morning sickness that does not improve, despite the above measures.
• You vomit blood or material that resembles coffee grounds.
• You lose more than 1 or 2 pounds.