MORNING SICKNESS

Feeling nauseated or actually being sick are symptoms often experienced during the first three months of pregnancy. Following a sensible diet and eating small meals regularly may do much to alleviate the discomfort.

It is well known that one of the first signs of pregnancy is morning sickness, which is experienced by the majority of women. however, although most women feel nauseated during the first three months of pregnancy, the time of day at which this happens varies as much as the severity of symptom.

For some women morning sickness manifests itself as a vague nausea and loss of appetite. Other women suffer quite badly and are often sick first thing in the morning or late at night – sometimes on and off throughout the day.

Morning sickness is usually confined to the first three months of pregnancy. Most women find that it has stopped entirely by the 14th week, although a very few unlucky mothers-to-be continue to suffer from the sickness until they give birth.

CAUSES

No one knows quite why women should suffer from morning sickness. There are hormone changes, particularly the rapid increase in oestrogen, which are thought to be a contributing factor especially as they are occurring at the same time as metabolic and chemical changes. It is also thought that the fall in blood pressure, typical in early pregnancy, is also likely to cause feelings of nausea. Psychological factors are sometimes believed to play their part, particularly when the pregnancy is unplanned: although, as many women experience morning sickness it is obviously only a small proportion.

THE EFFECTS

Almost all women find that their feelings of nausea are accompanied by a loss of appetite. Some women find that eating a little makes them feel better, others have to make themselves sick before they can carry on. Women can be very frightened when the vomiting is severe. The abdominal muscles usually feel sore afterwards, and there appears to be such internal pressure that it is often thought that the stability of the pregnancy is being affected. In fact, the baby is quite unharmed by the action of vomiting, and even women who have to be hospitalized because they are vomiting to the extreme are there so that their liquid and glucose intake can be monitored-not because a miscarriage is expected.

DANGERS

The sickness is quite normal, and not dangerous. The most obvious danger lies in taking drugs to control the sickness, for in the early stages this could affect the development of the foetus. Nothing should be taken that has not been prescribed by a doctor, and the dose should never be exceeded.

COPING WITH MORNING SICKNESS

Most women find that they can control the nausea to some extent by following a few simple rules. They should avoid any food or drink that they instinctively feel would make them sick, even if there is pressure on them to take it. Many women are helped by eating getting up – this often prevents the uncomfortable dry retching sometimes felt on rising.

Greasy or spiced foods are to avoided. Occasionally even the smell of them can affect a woman badly, so it would be as well if she kept he own cooking to a minimum while she is suffering from the nausea. Tight clothing can also contribute to a feeling of fullness around the abdomen, so it is better to switch to looser clothiers, even if the pregnancy has not yet started to ‘show’.

Many women have found that supplements of vitamin B6 are effective in controlling nausea, though as with any vitamin supplement they should be taken in conjunction with a good balanced diet.

OUTLOOK

Morning sickness usually disappears entirely by the 14th week of pregnancy, and may women find the rest of their term free of this problem.

Morning sickness – what to eat

Eat small meals and take liquid frequently.

Avoid fatty foods.

Take notice what your body wants. Many women find they ‘go off’ things that aren’t particularly good for them, like cigarettes, alcohol, tea and coffee.

Don’t drink milk until the nausea has passed, it can aggravate it. Try soda water or a glucose drink instead.

SAMPLE DIET

Before rising: ask someone to bring you a slice of dry whole meal toast or a chapatti and a warm drink. Wait 20 minutes before getting up.

Breakfast: cereal – try it with the more digestible curd rather than milk. Dry toast with a boiled egg. Herb tea or fruit juice.

Mid-morning: your choice of liquid with some plain biscuits.

Lunch: clear soup, followed by boiled chicken, steamed fish. Fresh vegetables without butter, or salad dressed without oil. Fresh or stewed fruit. Water or fruit juice to drink.

Tea time : biscuits and a drink.

Supper: plainly cooked meat, fish or eggs with fresh vegetables or a salad and a drink.

Late evening: a plain biscuit with a drink of water.