Morning Sickness

Morning sickness is very common in early pregnancy. When the vomiting gets severe and the patient cannot retain any food, it is called hyperemesis gravidarum. The vomiting may be so bad that you may even vomit blood. You will get dehydrated (lose water) and lose a considerable amount of weight. You may have to be admitted to hospital for medication and intravenous feeding (drips inserted into the veins of the arms).

There is no way of preventing morning sickness and hyperemesis gravidarum as the body is under the influence of pregnancy hormones. Fortunately, the symptoms are usually mild and last till the first trimester (third month) of pregnancy, when they lessen and disappear.

There is so much that has been written about it - from what aggravate it to what one can do to control it. Many suggestions have been given. Try the following and use what works for you.

• Eat many small meals instead of one large meal.
• Eat small amount of dry snacks (sour plums or dry barbecued pork, Bak kuah) between meals.
• Before getting up in the morning, eat a piece of dry toast, or cream cracker and rest for a while in bed. Keep some easy-to-digest snack by the bedside.
• Drink plenty of fluid (water, fruit juices) in small quantity each time to avoid losing water (i.e. avoid dehydration).
• Try to put some ginger in your cooking. Ginger is a natural remedy for nausea.
• Low-fat milk, yoghurt may lower the acidity of the stomach contents. Try taking some in the morning.
• Alternate wet foods with dry foods i.e. one meal with dry foods, and the next meal with liquids.
• Avoid fried, oily, fatty and spicy foods.
• Avoid triggering factors such as jerky movements, smells or odours of food, or noises.
• Have enough rest. It is important to wake up in a relaxed mental state and a peaceful sleep is important.