Pregnancy is an exciting time, but for many women, the first few months come with nausea and vomiting, what we call morning sickness.
You might feel sick when cooking jollof rice, smelling egusi soup, or even thinking about some foods.
Most of the time, it’s normal and goes away after a few months, but it can still be uncomfortable.
So, why do some women get morning sickness while others don’t? Let’s find out.
Why Some Women Experience Morning Sickness
1. Pregnancy Hormones (hCG, Estrogen, and Progesterone)
For instance, nausea and vomiting are more severe in women with higher estrogen levels, which can delay gastric emptying (the process by which food leaves the stomach and enters the small intestine, influenced by meal type, hormones, and health conditions).
Interestingly, women with specific genetic variants that result in lower GDF15 levels before pregnancy are more likely to experience severe symptoms when GDF15 levels rise during pregnancy.
3. Sensitive Stomachs and Slower Digestion
Pregnancy hormones can relax the muscles of the digestive tract, slowing down the digestive process.
This delay can cause food to stay in the stomach longer, leading to feelings of fullness, bloating, and nausea.
Additionally, estrogen stimulates the production of nitric oxide, which can further slow gastric emptying.
4. Genetics and Family History
Morning sickness can run in families. Studies have shown that women whose mothers or sisters experienced severe nausea and vomiting during pregnancy are more likely to have similar symptoms. This suggests a genetic predisposition to morning sickness.
Who is More Likely to Get Morning Sickness?
While morning sickness can happen to any pregnant woman, certain factors make it more likely or more severe:
a. First Pregnancy
Women experiencing their first pregnancy often have stronger nausea and vomiting. This is because the body is adjusting to pregnancy hormones for the first time.
b. Carrying Twins or Multiples
Women carrying twins or more usually have higher hormone levels, which can increase the likelihood of morning sickness.
c. Family History
If your mother, sisters, or other close female relatives had morning sickness, especially severe cases, you are more likely to experience it too. Genetics plays a strong role here.
d. Age
Younger mothers, especially teenagers and women in their early twenties, may experience morning sickness more often, possibly due to higher hormone sensitivity.
e. Previous History of Morning Sickness
If you’ve had nausea or vomiting in an earlier pregnancy, there’s a higher chance it will happen again.
f. Certain Health Conditions
Some women with thyroid problems or gastrointestinal infections, like H. pylori, may have more severe symptoms.
g. Lifestyle and Diet Factors
Women who smoke or have diets high in certain spices may notice stronger reactions to food smells or tastes. Also, skipping meals or being dehydrated can make nausea worse.
Morning sickness is very common, and experiencing it doesn’t mean something is wrong. But if vomiting is severe, causes weight loss, or prevents you from keeping fluids down, it’s important to see a doctor.
When Morning Sickness Becomes Serious
Most morning sickness is mild and goes away after the first few months. But sometimes, it can become severe, a condition called Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG).
Signs to watch out for:
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Vomiting so much that you can’t keep food or fluids down
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Rapid weight loss or not gaining enough weight
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Feeling very weak, dizzy, or dehydrated
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Dark urine or very little urine
HG is rare but can be dangerous if untreated. It may require medical care, including IV fluids, vitamins, or medications, to keep both mother and baby healthy.
What You Can Do to Manage Morning Sickness
1. Eat Small, Frequent Meals
Instead of three big meals, try eating little portions throughout the day. Two light snacks, such as bread, fruits, or akara, can help keep your stomach settled.
2. Stay Hydrated
Sip water, coconut water, or light teas throughout the day to stay hydrated. If plain water is hard to take, try adding a bit of lime or ginger.
3. Avoid Strong Smells and Triggers
If certain foods or cooking smells make you feel sick, try asking someone to help with cooking or keep windows open for ventilation.
4. Rest and Take It Easy
Fatigue can make nausea worse, so listen to your body and rest when you can.
5. Try Ginger or Lemon
Ginger tea, ginger biscuits, or a slice of lemon in warm water can help ease mild nausea for some women.
6. Talk to Your Doctor if Needed
If vomiting is severe, you can’t eat or drink, or you feel weak, visit your doctor. They can recommend safe medicines or treatments to help you feel better.
Conclusion
Pregnancy is different for every woman, and morning sickness hits everyone in their own way. Some days are easy, some days aren’t, and that’s okay.
What about you? Did you go through morning sickness, and how did you deal with it? I’d love to hear your story.
Researched by Victoria Odueso
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