Ah, the joys of pregnancy. The morning sickness, the food cravings, and that ever-present feeling of exhaustion. It's no wonder so many women swear off having children altogether. But is all this nausea and vomiting really necessary? Let's delve into the world of morning sickness and see what we can find out.
What is Morning Sickness?
Morning sickness is a feeling of nausea that occurs during early pregnancy. Contrary to its name, it can occur at any time of day – not just in the morning. It affects around 80% of pregnant women to varying degrees.
Symptoms
Symptoms include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Feeling faint
The severity varies from woman to woman – some experience nothing more than mild queasiness while others are plagued by constant vomiting.
Why Does it Happen?
Despite much research over the years, doctors still don't know exactly why morning sickness happens. However, there are certain factors that seem to be associated with an increased risk:
Hormones
Pregnancy involves a significant surge in hormones such as estrogen and progesterone which have been linked with causing nausea.
Smells
Certain smells can trigger feelings of nausea in people who are already sensitive due to hormonal changes - this may help explain why some food aversions develop during pregnancy.
Stress
Stressful situations might make symptoms worse although researchers haven’t determined a direct causal relationship.
Vitamin Deficiencies
Vitamin deficiencies like low levels D vitamin have been correlated with higher rates.
### Gastric Emptying Delays
Delayed emptying times have shown relation wit hmore severe cases
Though these factors all play their part separately or together they do not tell us how our magnificent body machinery works making life both thrillingly complex yet frustratingly mysterious.
Coping With Morning Sickness
If you're struggling with morning sickness, there are some things you can try to alleviate symptoms:
Eating frequent but small meals
Having something in your stomach at all times could keep nausea from worsening.
Avoidance of Strong Smells
Avoiding strong-smelling or spicy foods and delicacies is recommended since olfactory stimuli seem to have a significant impact on pts being nauseated.
Important Hydration
Drinking plenty of water that's alternative or in addition to the broth-based soups (See next suggestions) might reduce dehydration caused by vomiting while food intake has been cut down.
Utilization of Ginger tea
A soothing tea made with fresh ginger root or powder helps during pregnancy, alleviating mild symptoms and promoting digestion.
Small Helpings of Well-Cooked Food
Small batches of well-cooked lean protein e.g eggs, chicken breasts need less stomach acid which makes digestions easier while replenishing vitamins when appetite is low.
Despite this long list remedies may work well for people they do not offer anything near complete relief much like Midsummer Night Dream’s Puck who offers instructions upon seeing Bottom-turned-into-ass: “I'll put a girdle round about the earth In forty minutes.”
When To Get Help?
Normal morning sickness should pass after 12 weeks as placenta takes over hormonal production.Oral rehydration therapy could be prescribed if vomiting becomes severe.In some cases medication like metoclopramide might help control more stubborn cases. However if you experience any of these serious symptoms it's important to contact your doctor immediately:
- Vomiting multiple times per day
- Blood in vomit
- Abdominal pain
- Rapid heartbeat or difficulty breathing
These can indicate more serious conditions such as hyperemesis gravidarum (when excessive nausea leads to dehydration & associated complications leading life-threatening consequences).
Remember too Pope Julius III's as his gravestone read: "I lived, I loved, I drank." Drunkness beside emotional overindulgence is something pregnant woman should avoid on occasion of experiencing morning sickness.