| Morning sickness or NVP (nausea and vomiting in | | | | very dark. |
| pregnancy) is an unwelcome but perfectly normal part | | | | In cases of severe dehydration it may ne necessary |
| of pregnancy. It doesn't ii any way put your baby at | | | | to be hospitalised so that fluid and nutrients can be |
| increased risk. In fact the reverse is true - morning | | | | replaced via a drip. Some women find that the |
| sickness signifies the hormonal changes necessary to | | | | constant nausea and vomiting leaves them so tired |
| be a mother are taking place, and a woman suffering | | | | and debilitated that they cannot leave the house or do |
| morning sickness is less likely to miscarry. About half | | | | anything much at all. In these cases also, it may be |
| of pregnant women experience both nausea and | | | | necessary to seek a doctor's advice. He may, on rare |
| vomiting, and just under one third experience nausea | | | | occasions prescribe an anti-emetic but drugs are |
| without vomiting. | | | | generally withheld as much as possible during |
| Morning sickness or NVP is sometimes trivialised as a | | | | pregnancy to avoid any risk to the developing baby. |
| minor inconvenience of pregnancy, but it can have a | | | | If you are suffering quite bad nausea and vomiting |
| significant, adverse effect on day-to-day activities and | | | | there are a number of ways to help to reduce it.: |
| quality of life. The support of friends and family can | | | | - Try to get plenty of rest, and don't get out of bed too |
| help a person to cope. Fortunately, for most women, | | | | quickly when you get up. |
| the nausea ceases after the first three months of | | | | - Eat a little bit of something when you get up - a dry |
| pregnancy. For a few however, it can continue right | | | | biscuit or some dry cereal can help. |
| through pregnancy. | | | | - Eat small amounts of food regularly throughout the |
| The actual causes of nausea and vomiting are not | | | | day, simple foods with carbohydrate but low in fat. |
| known for sure but seem to be related to the | | | | - Avoid spicy foods. |
| hormonal changes. During pregnancy, oestrogen levels | | | | - Drink plenty of liquids throughout the day. |
| rise and tend to be at their highest during the first three | | | | - Avoid caffeine. |
| months when the symptoms of NVP are at their | | | | - Try ginger or ginger tea. |
| worst. | | | | - Avoid hot foods if you are particularly sensitive to |
| The term "morning sickness" is an old fashioned one | | | | smells. |
| and not entirely appropriate as it is now recognised | | | | - Get some light exercise, such as a short walk, every |
| that nausea and vomiting can occur at any time of the | | | | day. |
| day, or indeed in some cases intermittently right | | | | - Avoid smoking as it can be bad for developing baby, |
| through the day. Morning sickness normally abates by | | | | and also reduces your appetite. |
| the end of the third semester and is something that | | | | By following these general principles you should find |
| most women can and do cope with. It is only | | | | that you can cope with the trying time of early |
| necessary to see your doctor if it is so bad that you | | | | pregnancy and morning sickness, but don't be afraid to |
| become dehydrated and the signs of this are extreme | | | | consult your doctor or midwife if you find it really hard |
| thirst, dizziness, not passing much urine or the urine is | | | | or are getting too dehydrated or losing weight. |