Morning Sickness Later in Pregnancy

Posted on Feb 14, 2012 | About Morning Sickness, Articles Category | | Print This Article

More than two thirds of women will experience nausea and vomiting during the first trimester of pregnancy.  For the vast majority of these women, however, this nausea and vomiting, sometimes also referred to as “morning sickness,” will pass by the time the second trimester begins, never returning.  However, nausea and vomiting returning during the second trimester is not entirely unheard of.

If you have had nausea and vomiting returning during the second trimester, it is important that you try to find out what exactly is causing the nausea and vomiting.  Certainly it is possible that it is just your morning sickness returning.  However, morning sickness is, most experts believe, caused by the changing levels of hormones in your body that take place during pregnancy.  By the time your second trimester rolls around, these hormone levels have typically begun to stabilize.

One possible cause for a return of nausea and vomiting during the second trimester is a condition known as hyperemesis gravidarum.  Hyperemesis Gravidarum is a condition that sometimes afflicts pregnant women, and its symptoms include severe nausea and vomiting.  Hyperemesis gravidarum is generally treated with changes in diet, rest, and sometimes antacids.  In general, anti-nausea medications are to be avoided during pregnancy.

If your nausea and vomiting are not severe or prolonged, you may be able to treat them with a variety of natural methods.  You might try some ginger extract supplements or ginger tea.  You might make a point to avoid fatty or spicy foods.  You should eat several small meals, to avoid becoming too hungry or too full during the day.  Finally, you should avoid strong odors if possible, as the enhanced sense of smell that many pregnant women experience can be responsible for nausea and vomiting.

If you are experiencing severe nausea and vomiting during the second trimester, or if your nausea and vomiting lasts for more than 24 hours during the second trimester, you should contact your health care provider.  It could be any number of things, from a simple stomach virus to a serious condition such as hyperemesis gravidarum, that is causing your nausea and vomiting to return.

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