Morning Sickness: Causes and Tips

Vomiting during pregnancy is an issue for many women! Find out here where morning sickness comes from and what you can do about it!

Causes of Morning Sickness

As soon as you are pregnant, your hormone balance and blood sugar levels change. Especially the pregnancy hormone hCG, which is produced by the placenta during early pregnancy, and the increase in the sex hormone oestrogen are noticeable here. In addition, your sense of smell can also react more sensitively. These circumstances taken together often lead to women becoming nauseous during pregnancy. The nausea is often accompanied by vomiting. And many pregnant women know morning sickness only too well! Morning nausea is caused by an empty stomach and low blood sugar levels, which, together with fluctuating hormones, cause discomfort and nausea.

How long does the morning sickness last?

Morning sickness in pregnancy usually starts in the fifth week of pregnancy and often subsides by the end of the first trimester (12th week of pregnancy). After that, the morning sickness usually subsides. If it persists, consult a doctor! It can also happen that the discomfort lasts until the birth.

Is the nausea dangerous for the baby?

Even if some women suffer from severe nausea during pregnancy and are unable to eat much food or keep it in their stomach, the baby is not at risk. During this time, the body taps into its nutrient reserves and supplies the baby with it. Even a cramped abdomen during vomiting does not harm the baby, as it is protected by the surrounding amniotic fluid. If, however, no more food or fluid can be kept inside, consult a doctor or your midwife: In this case you may have hyperemesis gravidarum – an insatiable pregnancy vomiting that must be treated, otherwise there is a risk of dehydration.

Tips against morning sickness

Since every body reacts individually to pregnancy, each woman has something different to help against her nausea. Try out different things and pay close attention to what is good for you:

• Ginger tea is a proven remedy for nausea. So drink the tea now and then or eat candied ginger.
• In general, you should drink a lot of fluids if you suffer from vomiting. Herbal tea (e.g. chamomile tea), juices or water are a good choice.
• Even if it is not particularly tasty, but rusk has proven to be a good remedy for nausea! You can also try low-sugar biscuits or brioche.
• Eat small meals and eat them more often.
• Dried fruits and nuts can be eaten if nausea occurs. Chewing slowly and thoroughly can help to drive away the nausea.

• What you need now is rest, sleep and relaxation. A lot of exercise and fresh air can also help to overcome the nausea.
• Sometimes it can help if you eat something small in bed in the morning, such as crispbread or biscuits. Allow yourself half an hour’s rest afterwards and only then get up.
• Many pregnant women with severe nausea react even more sensitively to very sweet or fatty foods. Even strongly spiced food is not recommended for the time being. You should also avoid caffeine and carbon dioxide!
• Write down the foods and foods you eat and how you react to them. This way you can find out which foods you react to with nausea.
• The scent of citrus fruits relaxes and is said to help many pregnant women to reduce nausea. A few drops of lemon oil or half a lemon are a good remedy
• Acupuncture and acupressure can also be valuable practices to counteract morning sickness. Consult your doctor, midwife or alternative practitioner in this regard.
• Consult your midwife, who knows about morning sickness and can advise you. If the nausea is very severe and persistent, your doctor may also prescribe certain medicines. In general, however, this should only be considered if absolutely necessary.