A New Kind of Sickness (Morning Sickness)

Posted on: January 11, 2021 | birth, Body

It had been a week since Claudia read the words “pregnant” on the white stick she held in trembling hands alone in her bathroom. With the positive confirmation from her midwife a few days back, the reality that she was indeed pregnant still didn’t feel real. But today felt different. Claudia woke up with an overwhelming feeling that resulted with her saying ‘good morning’ to the porcelain gods. “Ugh…” Claudia thought to herself, “is this…morning sickness?”

Morning sickness is a common symptom of pregnancy, that surfaces as nausea and vomiting. Although it is called ‘morning sickness’, this pregnancy symptom can occur any time of the day. Morning sickness can surface as aversions to foods, aversions to smells, and/or sensitivity to motion and movements. 

Morning sickness can occur at any time of the day.

One way to help navigate when the worst of the symptoms is to note triggers. Is it first thing in the morning, when the stomach is empty? Is it after spending a day sitting at work? Right before bed when the body is able to rest from the day’s happenings, are you feeling it? When do the effects of the symptoms come into play? One’s medical provider be it OBGYN, midwife, family practitioner, they can also provide prescriptions to medication to help aid in subduing morning sickness symptoms. Nutrition plays a big role in keeping morning sickness at bay.

If in the morning, take time to get out of bed. Sit up slowly, and have some dry crackers and water next to your bed stand set up from the evening before. This motion allows the internal to catch up with the movements of the external. Ingesting crackers and water provide a quick nutrition fix for an overnight working body. Wait 20 minutes, and attempt to begin your day. 

If the afternoon is the culprit, check-in with the happenings of the day. Is fatigue setting in? What was eaten for lunch? Have you eaten lunch? Is the office stuffy, underheated or overheated? Take mental note of what triggers occur to help combat the onset, if able.

In the evening, take this opportunity to listen and intune with the body. It’s been a long day, and your body has been working hard making a baby. Dinner may be lighter, bedtime may be earlier, lights may stay dim as the evening approaches. Listen to what the body is saying, and apply that with the suitable remedy. 

Morning sickness may fall by the waste side as the pregnancy continues.

While some experience days to a few weeks of symptoms, most can expect morning sickness to generally subside by the start of the 2nd trimester (13 weeks). The idea of spending the day away from a bathroom is here. Foods may no longer make you want to hurl at the sight or smell of them. The 2nd trimester energy surge has arrived. Things are starting to feel normal again, and pregnancy can becoming enjoyable.

If one is feeling symptoms that are more severe than what is described as “common morning sickness”, talk to the provider on natural or medical remedies. Severe symptoms above morning sickness can be an indication of a greater issue and should be evaluated by one’s medical professional.

Hyperemesis Gravidarum or HG is a severe form of sickness antiquated with pregnancy, and should be discussed with one’s provider.  

Claudia sighed with relief and disbelief. The thought of puking as a part of her pregnancy wasn’t something she had fully embraced. “Here we go.” Claudia whispered as she placed her hand on her abdomen.