Severe Morning Sickness: 4 Causes and Considerations Every Expectant Mother Should Know

Pregnancy is a transformational journey filled with changes, both physical and emotional, as a woman's body prepares for motherhood over roughly 40 weeks. However, for some women (70 -80%), this experience can be overshadowed by severe morning sickness, a condition beyond typical morning sickness. It brings relentless nausea, vomiting, dehydration, and weight loss, often needing medical help. Managing severe sickness in pregnancy involves lifestyle adjustments, dietary changes, and medications to ease symptoms and ensure the health of the mother and baby.

With proper care, many women with severe morning sickness can still have healthy pregnancies and deliver healthy babies. So, let’s discuss and understand the major causes of severe morning sickness in pregnancy to better manage the conditions and side effects.

Table Of Contents

1. 4 Causes Of Severe Sickness In Pregnancy

2. Severe Morning Sickness In Pregnancy

3. Dietitian’s Recommendation

4. The Final Say

5. FAQs

6. References

4 Causes Of Severe Sickness In Pregnancy

Let’s understand these causes of severe morning sickness in pregnancy to handle the situation in a better way:

1. Due To Hormonal Changes

During pregnancy, hormone levels increase significantly. The hormones human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), estrogen, progesterone, and a Growth Differentiation Factor 15 (GDF15) protein are especially important. While they help maintain the pregnancy, they can also affect how your stomach and intestines work. High levels of hCG and GDF15 can trigger the brain's vomiting centre, causing nausea and vomiting.

2. History Of Genetic Predisposition

Science proves that severe morning sickness (Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG)) can run in families. If your mother or sister had HG, you might be more likely to experience it, too. Genetic differences related to hormone metabolism, brain chemicals, and the immune system may play a role in developing HG.

Also Read: 8 Major Causes of Vomiting During Pregnancy

3. Excessive Nutritional Deficiencies

Certain nutrients, like vitamin B6 and zinc, can worsen nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. Vitamin B6 helps make brain chemicals that control nausea, and a lack of zinc can increase your sensitivity to things that cause nausea. Thus, taking care of nutrition during pregnancy is very important.

4. Affecting Psychological Factors

Stress and anxiety can make symptoms of severe morning sickness worse. Stress activates the body's stress response system, leading to higher stress hormones like cortisol, which can affect your stomach and intestines, making nausea and vomiting more likely.

Also Read: Why You Might Have Diarrhoea While Pregnancy

Considerations For Severe Morning Sickness In Pregnancy

Note these major considerations regarding complications, medical help and the importance of treatment for severe morning sickness in pregnancy for taking effective measures:

1. Complications Due To Severe Morning Sickness

• Dehydration and Imbalances: Severe and constant vomiting in Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) can cause dehydration, low potassium levels (hypokalemia), and other metabolic issues.

• Nutritional Deficiencies: Not getting enough nutrients for a long time can lead to weight loss, deficiencies in essential nutrients, and possible negative effects for both the mother and baby, like preterm birth and low birth weight.

2. Medical Intervention For Severe Morning Sickness

• Hydration Therapy: Treating HG often requires a team approach. This includes using intravenous (IV) fluids to correct dehydration and restore the balance of electrolytes.

• Medications: Doctors may prescribe anti-nausea medications during pregnancy, like ondansetron or promethazine, to help reduce nausea and vomiting. In severe cases where eating and drinking are insufficient, providing nutrition through a feeding tube (enteral nutrition) or directly into the bloodstream (parenteral nutrition) might be necessary.

3. Timely Management Of Severe Morning Sickness

• Early Management: Recognizing and treating HG early is essential to prevent complex complications and improve significant health outcomes for both mother and baby. Quick medical intervention can reduce symptoms, restore proper hydration and nutrition of the pregnant woman.

• Proven Reason: Science suggests a new way to reduce pregnancy sickness. Exposing women to GDF15 before they get pregnant might help them build resistance to nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.

Expert’s Advice 

I recommend that a woman experiencing severe morning sickness eat small, frequent meals of bland, easily digestible foods, incorporate ginger-based products to alleviate nausea, stay hydrated with clear fluids, avoid strong odours and spicy, greasy foods, and consider prenatal vitamins to supplement nutrient intake. 

                                                                                       Health Expert
Aditi Upadhyay

The Final Say

Ultimately, severe pregnancy (morning) sickness, or Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG), is a complex challenge for expectant mothers, involving various factors like hormones, genetics, nutrition, and mental health. Although treatments exist, HG's potential complications for both mother and baby underscore the importance of early detection and comprehensive care.

FAQs

1. What is morning sickness hyperemesis?

Morning sickness hyperemesis, known medically as Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG), is a severe nausea and vomiting form during pregnancy. Unlike typical morning sickness, HG can cause dehydration, weight loss, and nutritional deficiencies, requiring medical intervention to manage symptoms and ensure maternal and fetal health.

2. How to manage morning sickness hyperemesis?

Managing HG typically involves a comprehensive approach:

• Hydration and Nutrition: Intravenous fluids may be needed to combat dehydration, and nutritional support through feeding tubes or intravenous feeding may be necessary if oral intake is inadequate.

• Medications: Doctors may prescribe anti-nausea medications such as ondansetron or promethazine to alleviate symptoms.

• Rest and Support: Resting adequately and receiving emotional support can also help manage HG symptoms effectively.

3. How to prevent severe morning sickness during pregnancy?

While HG cannot always be prevented, some strategies may help reduce its severity:

• Early Diagnosis: Recognize symptoms early and seek medical advice promptly if nausea and vomiting become severe.

• Balanced Diet: Aim for a whole diet rich in nutrients. Small, frequent meals and snacks help maintain blood sugar levels and reduce nausea.

• Hydration: Stay well-hydrated by drinking fluids regularly, even in small amounts throughout the day.

References

• Cambridge-led study discovers cause of pregnancy sickness – and potential treatment - Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre (nihr.ac.uk)

• Study discovers cause of pregnancy sickness and potential treatment | NIHR

• Researchers identify key cause of pregnancy sickness and a potential way to prevent it (usc.edu)

• Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy - PMC (nih.gov)

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