Keeping morning sickness in check

Up to 80% of pregnant women suffer from some form of morning sickness (which can generally be defined as nausea or vomiting that starts in the first trimester and can last anywhere from a few months to the full term). Although most cases are mild, it is a condition that should not be taken lightly. In fact, if not treated properly, it can result in serious side effects to the mother and child. The cause of morning sickness is not well known because it has not been deeply researched. It is believed to be hormonal in nature — the body's way of adjusting to the hormonal changes during pregnancy.

Severe morning sickness can result in social and mental problems for the mother-to-be. She may feel isolated as a result of shying away from normally enjoyable social activities—due to the unpredictable nature of morning sickness. A woman who may have been seen as the family caregiver may feel she is now the one who needs constant help. She may also have feelings of being rejected or hopeless as well. Unchecked morning sickness can even cause such health problems as dehydration, weight loss, depression, anxiety, thyroid dysfunction, diabetes, lesions to the central nervous system, damage to liver and other organs of the mother as well as the fetus, and even spontaneous abortions of otherwise healthy fetuses. If a mother-to-be loses 5% of her weight as a result of morning sickness, the fetus can be born with a lower birth weight (increasing the odds of infant read more