MORNING SICKNESS - PART 1

The first signs of pregnancy

For many women, one of the first signs of pregnancy is a feeling of sickness in the pit of the stomach. No, it's not dread or fear (usually!), its morning sickness! Although many women sail through pregnancy without feeling ill, about half of all pregnant women report some feelings of nausea. This can range from a few days of mild queasiness to frequent vomiting that goes on for months. Anyone who's suffered from bad morning sickness can vouch for the fact that the name's a misnomer – it's not just in the morning that the nausea that characterizes the first few weeks of pregnancy can strike. It can occur at any time of the day. Morning sickness usually makes an appearance about six weeks after the last menstrual period, and for most women it subsides, sometimes literally overnight, at the end of the first trimester (14 weeks). For a few, however, it lasts for nine months, or makes an unwelcome return in the last few weeks of the pregnancy. Some pregnant women find their senses of taste and smell will be more acute than normal, with some previously innocuous smells, such as cooking smells or perfume, turning their stomach instantly. Some report a sudden aversion to foods or flavors they previously enjoyed, such as coffee, vinegar or pepper, but this is a highly individual reaction. Many notice a metallic taste in their mouth. Some are mystified to find that they feel simultaneously slightly sick and ravenously hungry!

What can you do?

Eat small snacks often. A drop in blood sugar levels can trigger nausea, so try to eat something every two or three hours. If you're caught without food or can't stomach anything solid, eat a glucose lolly. Although morning sickness can occur at any time of the day, it's more common in the morning because you haven't eaten for a while so your blood sugar is low. If you wake up feeling yuck, try nibbling on a couple of crackers or eating a banana before you gets out of bed. Having a late-night snack before you go to bed may also help. Choose bland, high-crab foods such as whole meal toast, crackers, plain biscuits, rice and potatoes. Eat non-acidic fruits and vegetables. Avoid fatty meats and fried foods. Follow your body's lead when it comes to deciding what you can stomach, although aim for as healthy, balanced diet as possible. You may also experience cravings for unusual foods or those you don't normally enjoy - it's okay to indulge these within reason. Try to get a good night's sleep and if possible, nap during the day. Most women feel extremely tired during the first weeks of pregnancy and this may make the nausea worse. Drink lots of water, fruit juice or skim milk. Avoid coffee and alcohol. Try acupuncture - some women swear by it. If you normally get carsick or seasick, try avoiding long car journeys or boat trips at this time - the motion can exacerbate the morning sickness. Avoid cigarette smoke and exhaust fumes as they can trigger nausea.

Warning signs

In rare cases acute morning sickness (hyper emesis gravid arum) may lead to dehydration and low blood pressure. You may require medication to help control the nausea or, if it's really bad, you may be admitted to hospital to receive fluids by intravenous drip. Tell your doctor or LMC if you vomit more than three times a day for three days, or can't keep anything at all down for 48 hours.