"Morning Sickness" 101: The Realities And The Cliches

Pregnancy is a very complex experience for the woman who is expecting, but there are certain things almost everyone knows, or at least thinks they know, about it. Much of this comes from popular culture: TV shows can show an expectant woman’s water breaking, will reference Braxton-Hicks contractions, and a trope has been made of the fed-up mother-to-be doing everything they can to induce labor. 

Another raft of cliches has grown around the concept of morning sickness: from the early-morning nausea tipping off a previously unaware woman that she is with child, to the “supportive” friend commenting on it being a positive thing. It can be difficult to know what the reality is and what has come from the (usually male) TV writer’s somewhat basic understanding. So let’s dig deeper and deal with the realities of morning sickness.

Can sickness really be the first indication of pregnancy?

Nausea in pregnancy (the more official term for morning sickness) can begin before the first missed period, so yes, particularly if you’re trying for a baby, it may well be the first clue. It doesn’t happen to every woman, and it happens differently for those it does affect, so its absence doesn’t mean you aren’t pregnant. But for clarity: yes, it might be how you find out.

Does it happen first thing in the morning?

Now, this is something that does need to be better communicated. The term “morning sickness” is responsible for a lot of misunderstandings. Nausea can happen at any time of the day - you might not have any in the morning and find it visits later on. “Morning sickness” is a term that has developed because, if you’re unwell, the first signs usually do arrive early in the day. The same is true of a cold, or fibromyalgia, or really anything - because you won’t have noticed it in the previous few hours when you were asleep.

How should nausea in pregnancy be treated? 

There is no single best way to treat nausea in pregnancy, whatever name it is given. There are medications such as metaclopramide and pyroxidine, and these have their place - but nausea is a strong impulse that takes a lot of stopping, so such medications also have drawbacks, especially including side effects. Herbal remedies are good, a no insurance chiropractor may become your best friend, and dietary steps can also help. Bland, carby foods, and lots of water and electrolyte supplements can make you feel a lot better.

Is it a positive sign?

On balance, the truth is that nausea in pregnancy is usually a good sign, even if it is delivered in an awful way. This is because the reason behind “morning” sickness is a heightened level of hormones which support a healthy pregnancy. For added clarity, though, this doesn’t mean that all nausea in pregnancy is good. Severe cases of sickness may be an indication of hyperemesis gravidarum, which will cause dehydration and can raise the risk of premature birth. If you are having multiple incidences of vomiting every day, and nausea is constant, it is essential to consult your doctor; this is very treatable, but won’t go away without medical assistance.

In short, “morning sickness” is normal, not just in the morning but at any time of day, and it’s not something to worry about. But don’t hesitate to seek further advice if it is impairing your everyday experience; severe nausea is not something you should just have to live with for the term of your pregnancy.