It’s 5 pm. I’m driving back from my prenatal sonography. All of a sudden I started feeling uneasy. Stuck in the middle of slow-moving traffic, there’s very little that I can do. Somehow I manage to pull my car aside. The signs of nausea and vomiting feeling were fast catching up. And before I could realize it, I ended up throwing. Few passers-by came to rescue and helped me with a bottle of water. They checked on my health and made sure I was fine to resume driving back home. 

A few weeks into the pregnancy, my friend had warned me of Nausea and Vomiting – the typical morning sickness symptoms. As the days progressed, the morning sickness got even worse. I learned the hard way that Morning sickness, despite its name, can be felt any time of the day or the night. It had nothing to do with the early morning hours. Morning sickness that occurs during pregnancy was real and I was amongst those half to two-thirds of all pregnant women who experience morning sickness in the first trimester. 

Symptoms of morning sickness: 

As I researched more, information on the internet also came in handy. I also spoke to my doctors and a few fellow mothers. Morning sickness starts typically around 5-6 weeks into the pregnancy and can be a surprising first sign of what you’re expecting. The typical symptoms experienced included the following

· Motion sickness

· Nausea that can be felt in the morning and even during the day 

· Anxiety and feeling of throwing up with or without actual vomiting 

· Inability to stand certain smells and odors 

· Loss of appetite 

· Svere salivation

Morning sickness causes

Just like the Bermuda Triangle mystery, the exact cause of morning sickness remains unknown, although it is believed to be a combination of physical and metabolic factors including:

· Sudden rise in the hormonal levels such as human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) or Estrogen

· Blood pressure, particularly lowered blood pressure 

· Altered metabolism of carbohydrates

· Low blood sugar

The morning sickness during pregnancy may be worsened by stress, fatigue, eating certain foods, or having motion sickness. 

Risk Factors for Morning Sickness

“What makes the Morning Sickness last longer? Who are more likely to get it?” I anxiously asked my doctor. She replied “Morning sickness is evaluated based on the symptoms experienced during the pregnancy, especially first trimester. You may be more likely at the risk of morning sickness if you have any of the following”

• You’re carrying twins or more
• Similar symptoms during previous pregnancy
• There is a history of migraine headaches
• Morning sickness runs in the family
• Taking contraceptives containing estrogen made you feel sick
• It's your first pregnancy
• You're obese (having a BMI of 30 or more)
• Stress, stress, and stress!

Morning Sickness Treatment 

I followed almost every single piece of advice on the internet to even time tested grandmas’ secrets and other home remedies. They included 

· Plenty of rest and avoid exertion

· Food that is easy to digest

· Palate cleansing by chewing ginger and drinking ginger-ale, lemon-water

· Snacking throughout the day 

· Avoiding triggers such as strong odors and smells

· Regularly brushing teeth after vomiting

· Avoid drinking liquids 1/2 hour before or after a meal

· Essential oils under expert’s guidance 

· Take regular multi-vitamins including Vitamin B6 supplements

· Prescription anti-nausea medications for persistent symptoms under medical supervision 

It is best to avoid lying down after eating, skipping meals, keeping a long gap between the meals, ignoring any abnormal signs, and eating spicy food. 

When to contact your health care provider:

While I was told, mild nausea and vomiting typically won't cause any complications to you or your baby. However if left unattended, you’re likely to experience dehydration due to severe nausea and vomiting, an electrolyte imbalance, decreased urination, and hospitalization. Further having flu-like symptoms, feeling dizzy or lethargic, loss of weight are other signs to watch for timely seeking medical help. 

The psychological effect of Morning Sickness

Morning sickness can have a profound effect on your social life, professional life, and taking care of the family. The recurring episodes of Nausea and vomiting may lead to pain in abdominal muscles leaving them concerned about the wellbeing of the baby. However, the little angel is perfectly cushioned inside the sac of amniotic fluid.

Pregnant women experiencing Morning sickness also complain regarding anxiety-induced psychological stress. Numerous studies have highlighted the inverse correlation between morning sickness and reduced risk of miscarriage (except in the cases of prolonged vomiting and weight loss). 

Finally, How long does it last?

So the next obvious question on my mind was how long does it last? While for a wide majority of expecting moms, morning sickness symptoms usually peak out during 10-16 weeks, before they start subsiding between week 10-16 of the pregnancy. Few of the women may continue to experience the symptoms into the second trimester and very few may continue to experience them even in the third trimester. 

As a mother, I want to assure you that this is a phase that too shall pass. Pregnant women are strictly advised to follow doctors’ advice and prescribed medication. Make necessary changes in the lifestyle, remain strong, and think positive. Your little angel is having a great time in there. 

For Pregnancy Lifestyle changes https://www.takecaremom.com/blogs/article/list-of-lifestyle-changes-before-pregnancy