Pregnancy nausea and/or vomiting

Morning sickness, as it is still commonly called, is without a doubt the most reported pregnancy symptom. For many, pregnancy nausea starts early on in pregnancy. And make no mistake about it it can, indeed, strike at any time of the day, not just in the morning. Pregnancy sickness can show itself in the form of a slight queasiness, or manifest as vomiting several times a day. Some women sail through their pregnancies without vomiting a single time, but this is quite rare. The good news is that you can undertake steps to prevent morning sickness or at least make it more bearable.

For some expectant mothers, morning sickness is the very first pregnancy symptom they notice. As much as 75 percent of all pregnant women will experience pregnancy nausea and vomiting. Some will feel nauseous mainly during the mornings, and notice that they can handle icky smells better in the afternoons. Many others do not have a set pattern of nausea, and feel nauseous at different times every day.

Pregnancy nausea is largely known as a first-trimester ailment. It is true that a majority of women find their nausea clears up after the first twelve weeks, but there are pregnant mothers who stay nauseous throughout their pregnancies too. Pregnancy nausea is caused by a potent mix of hormones that flood your body when you conceive a baby. Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) and estrogen are the prime suspects, but other hormones may contribute to pregnancy sickness as well. Furthermore, your sense of smell and taste is heightened when you are expecting, and this increases your chances of throwing up too. Every woman is different, and if you are wondering whether morning sickness is the same for subsequent pregnancies, the answer is that there are no hard and fast rules.

What can you do about pregnancy nausea?

Eat small meals, frequently; Stay hydrated, drink plenty of water or herbal teas; Don't try and hold it in if you feel the need to vomit sometimes, you feel much better after throwing up; Eat a dry cracker or something else that is really bland, before you get up; Try to avoid smells that trigger your nausea.

For other pregnancy signs, please take a look at our complete list!