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Nausea and Vomiting

Increased levels of hormones that sustain the pregnancy may cause morning sickness, which is feelings of nausea that can sometimes lead to vomiting.

In addition to the increased levels of hCG and estrogen, the rapid stretching of the uterine muscles, the relaxation of muscles in the digestive tract, an increase in acid in the stomach and the enhanced sense of smell that pregnant women develop can all contribute to morning sickness.

Just over half of all expectant women experience the nausea and vomiting associated with morning sickness. However, morning sickness does not necessarily occur just in the morning and rarely interferes with proper maternal and fetal nutrition.

Even those women that actually lose weight during the first few months of pregnancy because they have a hard time keeping any food down are not hurting their baby, as long as they make up for the lost weight later on.

Also, if you are experiencing morning sickness, the symptoms usually don't linger much beyond the third month.

Tips on Getting a Grip on Your 'Morning' Sickness

• Eat frequent, small meals (6 to 8 small meals a day, rather than 3 large meals). An empty stomach, as well as the low blood sugar caused by long stretches between meals can both contribute to morning sickness symptoms. Be sure to carry nutritious snacks with you for snacking.
• Eat a diet that is high in protein and complex carbohydrates, both of which help to alleviate the symptoms of morning sickness
• Drink lots of water, especially if you're losing liquid through vomiting
• Consuming carbonated drinks in between meals may help with your symptoms
• Prenatal vitams may help to compensate for nutrients that you may not be getting due to vomitting. Remember, do not take any medication for morning sickness unless it is prescribed by your practitioner.
• Avoid fatty, fried or spicy foods
• Avoid the sight, smell and taste of foods that make you nauseous
• Try starchy foods, like toast, saltines, cheerios or other dry cereals. Keep some by your bed and eat them before you get out of bed in the morning and when you get up in the middle of the night. Also keep some with you at all times, in case you feel nauseous.
• Get some extra sleep and relaxation and take it easy in the mornings. Minimizing your daily stress will help you cope better with morning sickness. While you rest, consider listening to some specially formatted cds that can help ease your symptoms.
• Although you will likely want to brush your teeth after vomiting, try to avoid it for at least an hour. The contents of your stomach are acidic and this acid can coat your teeth when you vomit, causing some of your tooth enamel to dissolve. Instead of brushing, get the taste of vomit out of your mouth by smearing some toothpaste on your teeth and rinsing with water.

Frequency of Urination

The uterus is growing and begins to press on the woman's bladder, causing the need for her to urinate more frequently. Further, the increased volume of body fluids and the improved efficiency of the kidneys, help to rid the body more quickly of waste products.

The pressure on your bladder is often relieved once the uterus rises into the abdominal cavity around the fourth month and doesn't return until the third trimester when the baby "drops" back down into the pelvis in the ninth month.

By leaning forward when you urinate, you will ensure that you empty your bladder completely and reduce trips to the bathroom.

It is important to remember that if you notice pain, burning, pus or blood in your urine to see your health care provider right away. You might have a urinary tract infection that needs treatment.