A more correct name for this condition would be "nausea and vomiting of pregnancy" since for many women it goes beyond the morning and the symptoms can last throughout the whole day. Morning sickness usually starts at about six weeks and will cease between 12 and 16 weeks. Some women say that they begin to experience it the day after conception. The severity will vary widely from woman to woman. For a large number of women it will be a matter of feeling a little "off" until they have something to eat.

At the other end of the spectrum, the nauseous feeling will continue all day, often accompanies with bouts of vomiting. It can last far beyond the 16th week for a percentage of unfortunate women. The condition it made worse by stress and tiredness and women will often find that particular smells will bring on an instant unpleasant reaction. On a positive note, the presence of some degree of nausea in early pregnancy can be taken as a sign of a viable pregnancy.

The causes of morning sickness have never been researched to any degree but there are assumptions as to what they may be. The most commonly held belief is that it is caused by the rapid increase of estrogen and progesterone levels, which normally level out between 12 and 16 weeks.

Another theory is that the hormone, hCG, (human chorionic gonadotopin), which is produced after the embryo implants in the uterus and continues to increase until about the 12th week. The levels of the hormone will then even off.

This does not explain why a number of women will continue to experience it throughout most of their pregnancy. From a Wholistic health perspective, it may be the body's way ridding itself of toxins in preparation for the pregnancy and nurturing and growing a new life. Whatever the cause, if you are pregnant and are experiencing it, what you need it some useful information on how best to deal with it.

General Consideration:

· Avoid warm or crowded places.
· Take a nap during the day.
· Get enough sleep at night. (Tiredness will make the symptoms worse.)
· Do not allow yourself to become hungry. Carry a variety of nutritious snacks with you.
· Avoid unpleasant or strong smells, cigarette smoke, cooking odours.

Food and Drink:

· Eat smaller meals more often rather than the usual three full meals a day.
· Do not skip meals.
· Avoid greasy, fried and spicy foods.
· Follow your cravings. They will not cause harm and will make you feel better.
· Avoid coffee and alcohol.
· Fluids are important especially if you are vomiting but should not be taken with meals.
· Only eat foods that are easy on your stomach and avoid those that make you uncomfortable.
· Carbohydrates such as potato, rice, dry toast, pasta, can be very settling.
· Cold foods have less smell and are often more palatable.
· Encourage your significant other to cook dinner.
· Have a small snack or sandwich before you begin cooking.

Natural Remedies

· Vitamin B6. This can be taken initially as 50mg a day. If this is not quite enough, change to 25mg, three times a day.
· Ginger. This can be taken either fresh or as a capsule of 250mg; three times a day. To make the tea grate a tablespoon of ginger and boil gently for a few minutes, let it steep for five minutes. It can be taken with milk and honey if preferred. It is very pleasant as an iced tea. Ginger tea can be made in a larger quantity and stored in the refrigerator. It is then available as needed to be drunk as an iced tea or re-heated. The tea will keep for several days.
· Acupuncture treatments can balance the body. An acupuncturist can determine the specific points for you.
· Acupressure. Pericardium 6 is the classical point for nausea and vomiting. It is located three-finger width up your arm from your wrist crease, in the middle between the tendons. Very firm thumb pressure can be applied to this point on both arms by your partner or colleague and held until the nausea subsides. Remember when locating the point to use your own fingers as the guide.
· Motion sickness wristbands are available at Chemists and Health Food Shops.
· Homoeopathics. Consult a homoeopath for your specific remedy.

Preventing Morning Sickness

If you are planning a pregnancy in the next three to six months, you will have the opportunity to prepare your body. A cleansing fast will minimise the degree of morning sickness you experience and the length of time that it lasts.

A very simple cleansing fast is to eat nothing but steamed green vegetables for ten days. You are not restricted in the amount of food that you eat; it just has to be green and steamed. One and a half to two litres of water should be taken each day and herbal teas without milk or sweetener can be freely taken.

A more severe fast would be the Beetroot fast. This consists of eating cooked Beetroot only for ten days. Again, the amount is not important. You can eat as much as you want to. This fast is indicated for women who have had severe illnesses in the past and have required medication, or who may have used drugs. For those who may have over indulged in alcohol or who have simply had a very questionable diet for most of their adult lives would also benefit. This fast is specifically to remove toxins from the body, to clean, heal and strengthen the liver.

Fluids are important and the same applies with this fast as to the previous. It is important to come of the fast correctly. Day 1, add fruits and juices. Day2: add other steamed vegetables of your choice. Day 3: include grains, legumes, and nuts. By day 4, you will be back to eating normally. Dairy products and eggs will be the last foods to be added.

Hyperemesis Gravidarium

This condition is far more serious than the usual nausea and vomiting that is experience during early pregnancy. If not treated correctly it can lead to dehydration, liver failure and death. It is characterized by severe nausea and persistent vomiting causing weight loss, flushed dry skin, dry mouth, coated tongue, decreased urinary output, dark coloured urine, rapid heart beat, headache and confusion.

The severity of this condition can cause depression, anxiety and a sense of isolation. Family support and understanding is critical to how well a woman is able to cope at this time. Hyperemesis Gravidarium will require medical treatment to prevent harm to the mother and baby.

Article prepared by Akal Khalsa

Akal Khalsa is a Sydney based midwife and provides midwifery services including: homebirths, pre-conception consultations, childbirth preparation, nutritional advise and breastfeeding support.

For more information Contact Akal.