What a joy! You've learned you're pregnant—but how nauseating, too! Now you can't stomach anything. Morning sickness is an early pregnancy burden that can be as simple as an upset stomach and as severe as nonstop vomiting.
For some women, morning sickness can be the first symptom that alerts them to the possibility that they might be pregnant, especially if they haven't watched the calendar and didn't notice a late period.
Whether or not you suffer these stomach woes, they fortunately are no indication of the health of your pregnancy. Morning sickness is also likely to be a short-lived symptom and should improve by the time you start "showing" your pregnancy belly.
Remarkably, the cause behind these symptoms is not understood. Some researchers speculate that they are caused by increased hormone levels or by an increased sensitivity to the lulls in your normally falling and rising blood sugar levels.
But what can you do about the wretched feelings in the meantime?
Monitor your particular pattern. For a few women, morning sickness consists of nausea and upset stomach, but only in the morning. For most, it involves varying degrees of stomach upset throughout the day. Once you realize what brings it on and when to expect it, you can make a plan for coping with or treating it.
Identify what soothes your sick stomach. A glass of water? Crackers? A banana? A full meal? Luckily for me, it's chocolate! Whatever it may be, always carry some of it with you; then take some before an expected bout of nausea, or as soon as one hits.
Prevent the onset of symptoms. Frequent light, starchy snacks can be essential for preventing morning sickness. Consider keeping saltines at your bedside to ward off early morning symptoms. And, because delays in eating can lead to even more misery, always prepare your meals on time!
Stay hydrated. If you are vomiting, eat bland foods. Softer and milder foods won't be as awful when vomited up. Wait a minimum of a half hour after vomiting and no more than an hour, and then start sipping liquids. Have a sip every 5 minutes to restore hydration. No gulping!
Call the doctor. If the vomiting persists throughout the day and over the course of days, contact your doctor. You may need a boost of IV fluids and electrolytes to ward off dehydration, and a prescription for anti-nausea medication.
