Morning Sickness

Nausea is one of the more common pregnancy symptoms that happens during the first few weeks of pregnancy, this is down to low blood sugar levels and low blood pressure with high progesterone levels. For some women this can continue throughout the whole pregnancy but can sometimes ease off during the second trimester.
Sickness can affect you in the morning or in the evening times and for some women this can last all day long.
It can be very unpleasant but it will not harm your baby and usually starts to clear up by week 16-20.
There is a chance of developing severe sickness which is known as Hyperemesis Gravidarum. This can sometimes be serious as you are not getting enough fluids into your body. You may need to have treatment in hospital for this.

You must call your midwife, GP or 111, if you’re vomiting and:
• have very dark-coloured urine or have not had a pee in more than 8 hours
• unable to keep food or fluids down for 24 hours
• feel severely weak, dizzy or faint when standing up
• have tummy (abdominal) pain
• have a high temperature
• vomit blood
• have lost weight

Things you can try to help:
– Plenty of rest
– Avoid foods or smells that make you sick
– Eat something plain before you get out of bed – (dry toast)
– Eat small & frequent meals or plain foods
– Eat cold foods rather than hot ones, especially if the smells of hot foods make you feel sick
– Drink plenty of fluids
– Drinks or foods containing ginger – evidence suggests ginger may reduce nausea and vomiting
– Try acupressure – this can reduce the symptoms