::... GYNAECOLOGY - Morning sickness

Morning sickness is nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. After conception many physiological changes start taking place in a woman’s body. One such is `hormonal change’. The body starts increased secretion of sex hormones which stimulates vomiting center in brain . This leads to nausea and vomiting. This generally occurs in the morning hence is called as Morning Sickness. For some pregnant women, the symptoms are worse in the morning and ease up during the course of the day, but they can strike at any time and last all day long. About 70% of pregnant women experience nausea and sometimes vomiting during their first trimester. The nausea usually starts around six weeks of pregnancy, but can begin as early as four weeks. It tends to get worse over the next month or so. It may get over in second trimester or it may be experienced throughout the pregnancy.

• Try to avoid foods and smells that trigger nausea.
  It might also help to eat bland foods like biscuits,
  crackers, corn flakes etc.
• Eat small, frequent meals and snacks throughout
  the day so that stomach is never empty.
• Avoid spicy, acidic, and fried foods, which can irritate
  digestive system.
• Try eating ginger, cardmum, lemon syrup to ease
  out nausea.

Report the complaint to doctor. There are drugs called as antiemetics, i.e. drugs which relieve nausea and vomiting. A doctor will prescribe the same for you. An antiemetic containing doxylamine succinate with Vit B6 is the safest treatment . Administer the drugs as advised by doctor If the treatment does not provide enough relief, report to the doctor.