Most every woman who has ever been pregnant can identify with that all to familiar sign of early pregnancy known as morning sickness.  This particular term is referred to a sensation of nausea often accompanied by vomiting in the early stages of the first trimester, typically around the sixth week and leading into about the twelfth week.  Though morning sickness can occur any time of day, it has gained the term due to instances of nausea or vomiting in the morning, typically upon waking or having a morning meal.  The condition is not harmful to the mother or the child and typically will pass after time.  Because the condition itself is a result of heightened female hormones in the body, many doctors suggest that a dose of morning sickness is a sign of a healthy, normal developing pregnancy and signs of a health placenta.

However, as with any physical condition that a soon to be mom may encounter, there are always excesses.  Such is the story with morning sickness.  Where a normal occurrence of morning sickness in pregnancy is no need for alarm, there are episodes of excessive forms of the symptom in which the nausea is accompanied by excessive vomiting.  This is a condition commonly referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum.  Medical concerns that are shared among professionals over hyperemesis gravidarum are concerns of a nutrient and electrolyte deficiency.  These, quite obviously, are concerns that are very well warranted since the baby’s primary development is in the first trimester as is, most typically, this condition.  Therefore, there are reasons for concern of this condition being harmful to both the mother and the unborn child.

Hyperemesis gravidarum in and of itself can be experienced at a milder or more severe level.  Milder levels, in many instances, can be treated in a manner that prescribes rest, antacids, and other dietary measures that are going to be geared toward insuring that the expectant mother does not become dehydrated or malnourished, something that would impact the developing child, as the mom’s nourishment (or lack of nourishment) is passed to the baby in the womb.  Should the hyperemesis gravidarum be severe, there are more stringent measures that may come into play, which may include hospitalizing the mother and providing her with intravenous fluids and nourishment.  Most experts suggest the following indicators are reasons to seek medical attention:  severe nausea or vomiting that is prevents keeping anything down, any nausea or vomiting that is accompanied by fever or pain, and nausea and vomiting that is experienced well into the thirteenth week (or the second trimester).  All moms should always remember this note to self:  Never, EVER self medicate for this condition (or for any condition) while pregnant.  Only under a physician’s care can an expectant mom truly know for certain that a medication will or will not pass to or potentially harm the unborn child.

So here are some tips to remember.  Experiencing some form of nausea or vomiting during the first trimester of pregnancy, though inconvenient, is not something to be alarmed about.  Should the condition worsen or persist, then it may be a good idea to get a physician involved.  If the case of morning sickness is relatively bearable, consider some of the following as a means to alleviate some of the symptoms:

• Eat saltines (often referred to as ‘soda crackers’). Also having them about fifteen minutes before getting out of bed will cut down on some of the nausea in the morning times.
• Eating small meals often as opposed to excessive large meals will satisfy hunger without giving a bloated feeling, contributing to the nausea.
• Avoid foods with smells that trigger the nausea. Sometimes this may also be the smell of certain foods cooking. These foods can be temporarily cut out of the diet or someone else can prepare them.
• Take joy in the fact that there are some treats that will help eliminate nausea such as sniffing and tasting lemons, lemonade, and eating watermelon.
• Eating salty potato chips has the same calming effect to the stomach as saltines.
• Get out and take a brisk walk. Exercise in the first trimester has been known to also alleviate certain feelings of nausea.
• Enjoy a nap or two and get plenty of rest during the day. Remember, the time will ultimately come later in the pregnancy where it will be almost impossible to get comfortable enough to rest. Resting now gives your body a break, helps cut down your body’s turmoil over hormones, and adds to the health of the mother and the unborn child.
• Don’t lay down after eating or skip meals.
• Avoid warm or excessively hot places. These types of environments add to the overwhelming sense of nausea.
• Don’t eat overly spicy foods or anything that will trigger nausea. For some moms, it will be different. Know your body and know what it is telling you.

Foremost to every suggestion about pregnancy and the whole morning sickness scenario, realize that symptoms will pass.  Enjoy the whole idea of being a mom.   And while enjoying it, take care of yourself and read your body’s signs.  Nine times out of ten, if your body is saying something isn’t right, it is a good idea to follow your instincts.  And always remember, the end always justifies the means.  Understanding your body’s reaction to pregnancy and taking a few steps to work through it will always make the new comer seem as if the process was well worth it.