Your life changes forever when your eyes fall upon the two lines on your pregnancy test. Suddenly, the future seems clear, and you can imagine your life as a parent to a snuggly, healthy baby.
Usually, it only takes a few days for the anxiety to creep in. You know short-term changes are coming, and you're bracing yourself for all the first trimester brings. When does morning sickness start, and will you have the tools to get through it?
We're confident you have what it takes to handle pregnancy sickness during the early days of pregnancy and any other uncomfortable side effects that come your way. Remember that you are joining a community of mothers going back hundreds of generations. You are stronger than morning nausea.
Still, it's easier to face those first-trimester challenges when you know what to expect. We've created this guide to help you power through the first twelve weeks of pregnancy like a pro.
Read on to learn all about tackling morning sickness, plus the other challenges of early pregnancy.
When Does Morning Sickness Start?
Morning sickness is apparent in 70% of pregnancies and is often a sign that things are developing in the right direction. Even though it's natural, many women dread the onset of this uncomfortable symptom. If you have emetophobia, you might even struggle with day-to-day anxiety, wondering when the discomfort will begin.
The average woman begins experiencing morning sickness during the sixth week of pregnancy. It may start mild and become more severe during the middle of the first trimester, between weeks eight and ten. Most women begin experiencing relief from nausea and sickness by week twelve, with symptoms abating by the beginning of the second trimester.
The name of this phenomenon can be misleading. Morning sickness doesn't necessarily mean you'll experience nausea every morning. Some women with morning sickness never get sick in the morning at all.
Once it begins, morning sickness can be unpredictable. Smells, foods, textures, and other sensory experiences can often trigger intense nausea. These things may have never bothered you in the past.
What Causes Morning Sickness?
Bodies are complex, and many factors can cause morning sickness in some women. These factors include hormones and blood sugar levels related to early pregnancy.
Shifting Hormones
Your body undergoes rapid changes during the first trimester, including new and shifting hormone levels. One new hormone is hCG, which your body makes in the placenta.
Morning sickness tends to correlate with high levels of this necessary hormone. That's one reason higher-order pregnancies (for example, twins or triplets) might involve more severe morning sickness.
Low Blood Sugar
Low blood sugar (a phenomenon that is most common in the morning, after fasting through the night) can also cause morning sickness in some women.
Low blood sugar can cause nausea in anyone, whether or not they are pregnant. Changes in blood sugar are more common during pregnancy, however. This is why your doctor will likely order a glucose challenge test to rule out gestational diabetes or other complications during the second trimester.
High Estrogen Levels
High estrogen levels might also be the culprit, as they can heighten your sense of smell. Your body knows that you are expecting a baby and is giving you the tools you need to keep yourself extra safe from potential toxins and dangers.
In other words, morning sickness is evidence that nature (and your body) are working as intended. If you never experience morning sickness, that is not a cause for worry. You're a member of the lucky 30% who doesn't need to deal with this uncomfortable side effect.
With that said, if your nausea and vomiting are excessive, causing dehydration, impacting your nutrition, or impeding your quality of life, you might be experiencing Hyperemesis Gravidarum. If this is the case, speak to your doctor about your treatment options.
Finding Relief From Morning Sickness
If you do experience morning sickness, you may be in for a challenging six weeks or so. While brief, many women are eager to find relief from nausea during this turbulent period. Here are a few tried and true methods to help you beat your symptoms and survive the first trimester.
- Suck on peppermint, ginger, or lemon candy
- Drink herbal teas with anti-nausea properties
- Suck on a lemon wedge or other citrus fruit
- Mask strong scents with scented chapstick
- Eat smaller meals more frequently
- Separate eating and drinking by at least thirty minutes
- Try acupuncture treatments
- Walk 20 minutes or more each day
- Avoid foods that trigger nausea
- Cut back on caffeine
- Replace lost fluids with water, broth, or juice
- Start taking a Vitamin B6 supplement
Not all of these remedies will work for everyone. Try a bunch and use the effective ones. Before you know it, you'll be entering the second trimester and won't need the relief any longer.
Surviving the First Trimester With Joy
We have good news if you're reading this during your first pregnancy. Most women find the second trimester of pregnancy far more comfortable, exciting, and enjoyable than the turbulent first trimester. If you focus less on "when does morning sickness start?" and more on "when will morning sickness end?" you'll have much more to look forward to.
The excitement and joy truly begin once you welcome your sweet baby. Your pixsee smart baby monitor will become like an additional member of the family, serving as a steadfast companion on your parenting journey.
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