| General
Illness Information |
Medical Term: |
Morning sickness during
pregnancy |
|
Common Name: |
Morning sickness |
| Description: |
Common
symptom of nausea and vomiting, usually during the first
trimester of pregnancy. Occurs in over 50% of all
pregnancies.
|
| Causes: |
Nausea
probably results from rising levels of human chorionic gonadotrophin
in the blood. These rising levels of hormones probably activate the
vomiting center in the brain.
|
| Prevention: |
It is sometimes recommended for patients
suffering nausea in pregnancy to eat snacks like crackers and toast
etc every two or three hours while awake. This may help prevent the
waves of nausea.
|
| Signs
& Symptoms |
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Mild
to severe nausea with or without vomiting usually during the
first 12 to 14 weeks of pregnancy, but may continue throughout
pregnancy. | |
| Risk
Factors |
 |
Multiple
pregnancies. | |
| Diagnosis & Treatment |
The
diagnosis is straightforward.
|
| 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. |
|
Maintain
an adequate fluid intake. |
|
Keep
a daily record of your weight. |
|
Keep
a positive attitude. | |
| Medications: |
|
Medicine
is usually not necessary for this disorder. Don't take any
medications during pregnancy without medical
advice. |
|
If
nausea is very severe and associated with vomiting your doctor
may prescribe medication to relieve the symptoms e.g.
diclectin (doxylamine succinate and pyridoxine) . |
|
Ginger in capsule or caplet form
has been found to be
effective. | |
| Activity: |
|
No
restrictions. | |
| Diet: |
|
The
following may help: |
|
Light
dry food. |
|
Snack
frequently. |
|
Place
a small 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 at 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; cheese and crackers; milk; cottage cheese; yogurt
sprinkled with granola; and turkey or chicken slices.
Bland foods such as bouillon, consommé, rice, pasta may be
tolerated. Avoid foods that are high in fat and
salt but low in nutrition. Avoid spicy
foods. | |
| Possible
Complications : |
|
Hyperemesis
gravidarum, a condition of pregnancy characterized by severe
nausea, vomiting, weight loss and electrolyte disturbance
(rare). | |
| Prognosis |
| Prognosis is good. The
condition is self-limiting, and usually
stops after the first 3 to 4 months of
pregnancy. | |
| Other |
|
|