Each day of pregnancy brings a change for both mother and baby. Hormones, size, emotions---all are in a state of constant flux. Some mothers notice they feel sick at some times more than others. Most of the time, sickness is a normal part of pregnancy, but mothers should keep an open dialogue with their doctors or midwives throughout pregnancy, just in case.
Trimesters
Pregnancy is divided into three trimesters. The first trimester is one of rapid growth: the baby starts as an embryo and ends with internal organs, fingers, toes, arms, legs, a skeletal system and teeth buds. A mother's hormone levels rise sharply during this period.
Growth is more stabilized during the second trimester. This is when most of the internal work takes place: sex organs, lungs and the brain develop. The baby also grows eyebrows, eyelashes and hair. Mothers tend to report more feelings of well-being during this trimester.
Most of the internal work is done by the third trimester. This is when the baby puts on the most weight, usually starting around 2 pounds and ending around 9 pounds. Mothers usually gain around 1 pound each week in the final trimester.
Sickness
Babycenter reports that approximately 75 percent of pregnant women suffer from morning sickness during the first trimester, whether they vomit or simply feel nauseated. Morning sickness generally begins around week six and ends with the first trimester at week 14. For some women, it lasts into the second trimester, and for others, it is intermittent or present every day until birth.
Causes
The causes of morning sickness are unknown, but The American Congress of Obstetrics & Gynecologists suspects rapidly increasing hormone levels, particularly human chorionic gonadotropin, or hCG, progesterone and estrogen. The AskDrSears website suggests that low blood sugar may also be to blame.
Treatments
The ACOG recommends acupuncture, motion sickness bands, ginger or hypnosis for nausea relief. Adequate protein consumption helps to stabilize blood sugar levels, as do small snacks every couple of hours. Avoid eating large meals spaced too far apart. Women can experiment with their prenatal vitamin: Some brands seem to be easier on the stomach than others.
Warning
For some women, nausea and vomiting is severe. Hyperemesis gravidarum is a serious condition that leads to dehydration, metabolic imbalance, weight loss and hospitalization. Treatment involves admission to the hospital for IV fluids and a pharmaceutical called Zofran, or ondansetron. Zofran is the same medication used to treat nausea in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
