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How Long Can Morning Sickness Last?

Morning sickness as the name suggests is a feeling of unwell which is usually experienced in the morning in pregnant ladies in their first trimester. It is not a disease or disorder but a normal phenomenon of pregnancy. It comes and goes by itself; no hard and fast treatment is required to treat this condition. It begins in the sixth week to twelfth to the fourteenth week of pregnancy. It is usually mild in nature. Its symptoms include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, disinterest in food and sensitivity to small of particular food items or to every food.

How Long Can Morning Sickness Last?

How Long Can Morning Sickness Last?

Morning sickness is a natural sign of pregnancy. Nearly 50-70% of women develop morning sickness at some point in their pregnancy. Its intensity and impact are different in different ladies. Sometimes, no two pregnancies have similar morning sickness in the same women itself.

Morning sickness usually appears in the morning and ends in the afternoon. However, it may extend to the whole day leaving a bad taste in the mouth.

Morning sickness lasts for nearly 7-8 weeks. It is the most common symptom of pregnancy that appears in 50-60 % of pregnant ladies. It begins in 5th to 6th week of pregnancy. It occurs in the first trimester of pregnancy. Its symptoms are usually mild in nature that does not affect the health of the baby and pregnant woman. It is represented by symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite and sensitivity to the smell of food. These symptoms go on their own without treatment. These symptoms become severe in some ladies that they can’t keep food down. This condition is known as Hyperemesis Gravidarum. It causes dehydration and loss of nutrients and electrolyte from the body resulting in weight loss and danger for the health of the baby. It requires specific treatment.

Causes Of Morning Sickness

Morning sickness makes pregnant women feel unwell and sick. It is really a sign of pregnancy. It is a sign of pregnancy because, the levels of pregnancy hormones, human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) and estrogen gets elevated in pregnancy. These hormones are produced by the placenta that nourishes and develops the fetus. High levels of hCG trigger nausea and vomiting. Morning sickness is higher when the embryo implants into the uterus and it increases two times more in every two days. The higher the levels of hCG in the body increase the intensity of morning sickness. Its intensity is more in women who have twins or multiple fetuses in their pregnancy.

Treatment For Morning Sickness

Morning sickness usually does not require any medication. It gets well with home treatment. The ways that can help in reducing the symptoms are-

  • The pregnant lady should get sufficient rest and sleep to stay fresh.
  • She should drink plenty of fluids and water to stay hydrated.
  • It is better to take small meals instead of large meals to stay energized.
  • She should switch to green leafy vegetables, fresh fruits, and whole grains.
  • She can take a slice of toast or biscuit before getting up from bed in the morning to avoid nausea.
  • Avoid cooking that food that makes you nauseating.
  • Fresh scent and room fresheners can be used to avoid the smell of food.
  • One should take non-greased and non-fatty food to stay away from vomiting and nausea.
  • She should engage herself in activities like book reading, drawing or watching good movies or other hobbies to distract oneself.
  • Regular light exercises can relieve morning sickness to great extent.

Conclusion

Morning sickness is not an illness but a normal condition of pregnancy-induced by pregnancy hormone hCG. It starts after the implantation of the embryo in the uterus after fertilization in the sixth week of pregnancy in the first trimester. It does not require treatment and it goes on its own in 12th to 14th week of pregnancy. Morning sickness lasts for 7-8 weeks.

References:

  1. Morning Sickness: Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy. (2021). American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/morning-sickness-nausea-and-vomiting-of-pregnancy
  2. Nausea and Morning Sickness. (2021). NHS. https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/related-conditions/nausea-morning-sickness/

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Team PainAssist
Team PainAssist
Written, Edited or Reviewed By: Team PainAssist, Pain Assist Inc. This article does not provide medical advice. See disclaimer
Last Modified On:August 16, 2023

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