Tennessee Perfusion Association

Morning sickness, AKA nausea gravidarium or vomiting of pregnancy, affects over 50% of pregnant women as well as some women who are not pregnant but are using oral contraceptives that alter their hormone balance. The term describes the symptoms, in which an individual finds themselves feeling sick and often vomiting first thing in the morning, which usually subsides as the day continues. While this can be simply mild nausea, in other cases it causes severe vomiting that can be dangerous by causing dehydration, weight loss and hypokalemia. This more severe form however (known as hyperemesis gravidarum) only occurs in 1% of pregnancies. Morning sickness normally begins around six weeks after a woman becomes pregnant, and often this is used as an indicator of a pregnancy. Usually it stops around the twelfth week.

The precise causes of morning sickness are not fully understood and there are many opposing theories on the matter. Ongoing research is looking into morning sickness causes and morning sickness cures. One idea links morning sickness to the higher levels of estrogen caused by pregnancy which can be increased by 100% in some cases. However there is no conclusive evidence to support this theory, and some circumstantial evidence stands against it for example the specific time period during which morning sickness normally occurs (which does not coincide with any particular increase in estrogen).

Other theories point to the low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia) due to the placenta draining energy from the mother. Others state the relaxation of the muscles in the uterus caused by increased progesterone (and thereby prevent an early pregnancy). With both of these theories there is again no explanation as to why the discomfort and vomiting is not continuous, and particularly with the latter you would logically expect the condition to be worse after the twelve months as the baby gets closer to its due date. One theory even suggests the sickness is caused by pregnant women heightened sensitivity to smells which could cause sickness, but this theory fails where women are no more unwell in the presence of odors.

Other theories look more at the purpose of morning sickness, which can help us to understand the phenomenon though it does not help with finding morning sickness cures. Evolutionary theory for example looks at morning sickness as an evolved behaviour designed to protect the fetus from toxins that wouldnot otherwise harm the parent but could prove dangerous to an undeveloped fetus. What this does tell us about morning sickness cures, is that they may have an un-intended detrimental effect on babies if it causes the women to digest the toxins rather than regurgitating them.

Another theory explains morning sickness as being a form of competition between the mother and child known as mother, fetus competition. This theory suggests that this might be a testing phase in which the unborn child is testing the mothers capabilities to support her child. Again this would explain why morning sickness usually occurs from between six and twelve weeks. This theory also suggests that morning sickness cures can not exist.

As there is no unanimous understanding of morning sickness that means that there can be no morning sickness cures as such. While there are no specific ways to address the cause however, treatment aims to look at the symptoms. For example the smell of fresh lemon is thought to be comforting and helpful, and works well with the theory that morning sickness is caused by odor. A range of other unusual morning sickness cures suggest eating cabbage, drinking lots of water, keeping your stomach full, eating smaller meals and more. Anti nausea tablets can also be used, but with care so as to prevent toxins from getting through.

If your morning sickness is severe enough, your doctor may prescribe medication that will help you reclaim some normality in your life. If you are unable to keep food or water down for any length of time, PLEASE talk to your doctor to see what can be done. Extensive weight loss / dehydration can be harmful to both mom and baby. Your doctor will be able to evaluate your situation and health profile and decide which medication will be most helpful in giving you morning sickness relief. The medications prescribed are administered in three different ways depending on the severity of the morning sickness and the medication: orally, intravenously, and in suppository format.

What Can I Do To Cure My Morning Sickness?