Why Do They Call It Morning Sickness If I Feel Nauseated All Day Long?

Why do they call it morning sickness if I feel nauseated all day long?

About three-quarters of all pregnant women have nausea (and sometimes vomiting) during their first trimester. For some, it's worse in the morning and gets better over the course of the day, but "morning sickness" can strike at any time. The nausea usually starts around 6 weeks but can come on as early as 4 weeks for some women, and it usually tapers off around 13 weeks as you start your second trimester, although queasiness can come and go throughout your pregnancy.

What causes nausea and vomiting during pregnancy?

No one knows what causes nausea during pregnancy, but it's probably due to some combination of the many physical changes taking place in your body. Some possible causes include:

Ð'* Rapidly increasing levels of hCG, estrogen, and other hormones during early pregnancy No one knows why they may contribute to your nausea, but the timing is right: Nausea tends to peak around the same time as your levels of these hormones do.

Ð'* An enhanced sense of smell and sensitivity to odors. It's not uncommon for a newly pregnant woman to find that she's now overwhelmed by the smell of a bologna sandwich from four blocks away, for example, and that certain aromas instantly trigger her gag reflex. This, too, may be a side effect of rapidly increasing estrogen in your system.

Ð'* A tricky stomach. Some women have a gastrointestinal tract that's more sensitive to the changes they're undergoing in early pregnancy. One study even found an association between h. pylori (a gastrointestinal bacteria that can cause ulcers) and severe nausea during pregnancy, although no one knows why the two may be related.

You may have heard that morning sickness can be caused by a B vitamin deficiency. While taking a vitamin B6 supplement does seem to help ease nausea in many pregnant women, that doesn't mean they have a vitamin deficiency. In fact, at least one study has shown no significant differences in the levels of B6 in women with morning sickness and those without it. No one knows why B6 is helpful. Some researchers also believe that stress and emotions may also play a role in morning sickness, but it would be hard to say whether it's stress causing the nausea or the other way around.

Are some pregnant women more likely than others to have nausea?

You're more likely to have nausea or vomiting during your pregnancy if any of the following apply to you:

Ð'* You're pregnant with twins or higher multiples. This may be due to the higher levels of hCG or other hormones in your system. You're also more likely to have a worse case than average. On the other hand, it's not a definite thing Ð'-- some women with twins have no nausea at all.

Ð'* You have a history of nausea or vomiting as a side effect of taking birth control pills. This may have something to do with your body's response to increased levels of estrogen.

Ð'* You have a history of being susceptible to motion sickness.

Ð'* You have a genetic predisposition to nausea during pregnancy. If your mother or sisters had morning sickness, there's a higher chance you will, too.

Ð'* You have a history of migraine headaches.

Will my nausea affect my baby?

The mild nausea and occasional vomiting commonly associated with morning sickness won't threaten your baby's well being as long as you're able to keep some food down and drink plenty of fluids. After all, for most of the first trimester, you're just talking about a tiny embryo that doesn't need too many calories. If you find you're unable to eat a balanced diet, it's a good idea to take a multivitamin (one without iron if that mineral makes your nausea worse) to make sure you're getting the nutrients you need. It's usually not a problem if you don't gain any weight in the first trimester, as long as you're not starving yourself and able to stay hydrated. Have faith that your appetite will return soon enough and you'll begin gaining weight.

If I don't have morning sickness, does that mean I'm more likely to have a miscarriage?

It's true that a number of studies have shown that women who have miscarriages are less likely to have had nausea. If your baby or your placenta is not developing properly, you'll have lower amounts of pregnancy hormones in your system, so it follows that you would have little or no nausea. But there are also plenty of women with perfectly normal pregnancies who manage to escape nausea during their first trimester. So count yourself lucky and don't obsess about it if you're not suffering!

What can I do to get relief?

Ð'* Try to avoid any foods or smells that trigger your nausea. If that seems like almost everything, it's okay if you just eat the few things that do appeal to you for this part of your pregnancy, even if they don't add up to a balanced diet. It might also help to try eating foods that are cold or at room temperature since they tend to have less of an odor than hot foods.

Ð'* Keep simple snacks, such as crackers, by your bedside. When you first wake up, nibble a few crackers and then rest for 20 to 30 minutes before getting out of bed. Snacking on crackers may also help you feel better if you wake up feeling nauseated in the middle of the night.

Ð'* Eat small, frequent meals or snacks throughout the day so that your stomach is never empty. Aim for bland foods that are high in protein or carbohydrates, since both can help fight nausea. Some good ones are crackers, biscuits, or low-fat yogurt, but go for whatever appeals to you.

Ð'* Try to avoid fatty foods, which take longer to digest, particularly during pregnancy,