October 4, 2010

Vomiting During Pregnancy : Is It Normal ?

Morning sickness starts at about 6 weeks into the pregnancy. It is when the pregnant woman suffers from nausea and vomiting. This usually happens in the morning upon awaking but can also go on all day. It is thought that nausea may be caused by all the hormonal changes which take place inside a woman's body when she becomes pregnant.

As the baby grows it gets bigger so in the last trimester it causes the uterus to press onto the stomach. This can make the mother uncomfortable and bring on heartburn, vomiting and nausea. Severe vomiting during pregnancy or pain late in the pregnancy should be given medical attention as it may be due to an illness or a virus that the mother has caught. The doctor will need to know if you have been taking any remedies for your vomiting.

To alleviate the symptoms of vomiting, nausea and heartburn late in the pregnancy the woman can try sitting in a position that stops any pressure on her stomach. Eating small meals rather than large ones will help keep the pressure off. Eating meals during this time is important for the health of both the mother and her baby.

You need to ensure that you drink plenty of water. If you become dehydrated then you could possibly go into early labor. Dehydration can occur if you are vomiting excessively and unable to keep water in your body. This can cause early labor so you need to see your doctor as soon as possible.

A small number of women experience a very extreme morning sickness. The medical term for this condition is Hyperemesis Gravidarum. The nausea and vomiting are constant and go beyond the 1st trimester into the 3rd trimester until the last day of the pregnancy.

Hyperemesis Gravidarum is a condition that can have negative effects on both the mother and her unborn child. Because of all the vomiting the mother is unable to keep any food or water in her body and this can cause both her and her child to become deficient in nutrients and dehydrated. The mother is unable to lead a normal life and can lose a lot of weight and become lethargic. Her baby is at risk of developing illnesses late in life such as diabetes and heart disease plus other neurobehavioral issues.

Treatment for this serious condition may include going into hospital for intravenous re-hydration. This condition needs to be treated immediately.


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