Nausea is one of the most common complaints of pregnancy, affecting approximately 60-90%
of all women who are pregnant. The nausea is commonly referred to as morning sickness, and while for some women it occurs only in the morning, it can and often does occur at other times during the day. Some women just feel sick and uncomfortable while
others actually vomit.
The exact cause of morning sickness is not known but it appears to be a result of a combination of chemical and physical changes your body is going through including hormonal changes, changes in blood pressure and changes in your digestive
system. There is even speculation by some that morning sickness may actually be beneficial. Fatigue often makes the nausea of morning sickness worse but fatigue is not a causal factor.
Morning sickness can begin as early as a few days after you have missed your period and, while in most cases it diminishes after a few months, it can persist throughout pregnancy. It is
always advisable to consult with your health care provider and, in the case of severe vomiting, you should contact your doctor, health care provider or local hospital immediately. |