Unveiling the Mystery of ‘Morning Sickness’: Exploring the Causes and Variations

“Why Is It Termed ‘Morning Sickness’ When It Can Occur at Any Time? Nausea and vomiting are prevalent during early pregnancy, commonly referred to as ‘morning sickness.’ However, the origin of this term raises questions as these symptoms can occur at any time of the day. While pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting are not exclusive to mornings, they often peak shortly after waking up. According to a 2016 review in the International Journal of Reproduction, Contraception, Obstetrics and Gynecology, hormonal changes in early pregnancy are believed to contribute to morning sickness. Reproductive hormones, particularly human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), surge during the first trimester. Dr. Clara Paik, a professor and vice-chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at UC Davis Health, suggests that hCG may directly cause the queasiness associated with morning sickness. However, the precise mechanism of how hCG induces nausea remains unclear. Some researchers, as outlined in the 2016 review, speculate that hCG might induce nausea by stimulating fluid secretion in the digestive tract. Additionally, the hormone is linked to a rapid increase in thyroxines, thyroid-made hormones that regulate digestion and control food movement through the digestive tract. Estrogen and progesterone, other pregnancy-related hormones, can also contribute to pregnancy sickness symptoms. Dr. Adiele Hoffman, a general practitioner and medical advisor at Flo Health, explains that these hormones relax stomach and intestinal muscles, slowing down digestion and potentially causing the last meal to linger or reappear. Variations in the severity of morning sickness can be attributed to differences in hormone levels and individual responses to hormonal changes. Genetics also play a role, as highlighted in a 2019 review in Nature Reviews Disease Primers. In addition to hormones and genetics, low blood sugar or hypoglycemia can exacerbate nausea. Blood sugar levels are lowest in the morning, and pregnancy can lead to more significant drops due to the growing fetus’s energy requirements, according to the 2016 review. When hypoglycemia combines with the relaxation of stomach and intestinal muscles, nausea may occur. Symptoms of morning sickness may be more pronounced in the morning due to an empty stomach and a temporary drop in blood pressure upon waking up. Stress, anxiety, and fatigue can also intensify symptoms, reflecting the close link between the nervous and digestive systems. Individuals prone to nausea, such as those experiencing motion sickness or migraines, are more likely to experience morning sickness. Fortunately, for most individuals, morning sickness symptoms tend to diminish as the second trimester begins. This article serves as informational content only and does not provide medical advice.”