Nausea during pregnancy is normal and not, recognize the difference

Nausea is one of the early symptoms of pregnancy. Therefore, many expectant mothers think that nausea is normal, especially during early pregnancy. However, if nausea gets worse and lasts for a long time, can nausea during pregnancy be considered normal? To find out the answer, consider the following explanation.

Is nausea normal during pregnancy?

According to the American Pregnancy Association, nearly 70% of pregnant women experience nausea early in their pregnancy. Nausea in early pregnancy is also known as morning sickness.

Actually it is not certain what causes nausea in early pregnancy. However, nausea during pregnancy is closely related to changes in the hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotrophin). This hormone is produced early in pregnancy by cells that make up the placenta (placenta).

Don't worry, the nausea will go away on its own as you get older. Once entering the gestational age of 12-14 weeks, nausea during pregnancy begins to decrease for many women. HCG levels fall to a lower level at around 16-20 weeks of gestation. And by this time, nausea has generally disappeared in many women.

But this will be different for each mother. There are mothers who only experience nausea for a short time, and some for longer, and some even don't experience nausea at all. Whichever you experience, all of this is normal. This does not mean that if the mother is not nauseous, the pregnancy will be interrupted.

The causes of nausea during pregnancy are still reasonable

Normal levels of the hormone hCG in the body can ensure that your pregnancy progresses well. This makes nausea during pregnancy a normal, even good thing. The levels of the hCG hormone are at their peak at around 9 weeks of gestation and then the levels of the hCG hormone begin to decrease along with the increase in levels of other hormones (such as estrogen and progesterone) produced by the placenta. The hormones estrogen and progesterone are also responsible for maintaining your pregnancy.

Nausea experienced in early pregnancy is generally caused by the sense of smell becoming more sensitive to certain smells, such as strong fragrances or cigarette smoke. Even foods with certain smells that are commonly consumed can also make you nauseous, especially those with strong smells like eggs and onions. Nausea during pregnancy is not related to late meals or irregular eating patterns.

Causes of nausea during pregnancy that need to be checked by a doctor

Nausea during pregnancy needs to be checked by a doctor if the nausea and vomiting are persistent and severe. Nausea or severe morning sickness is also known as hyperemesis gravidarum. In hyperemesis gravidarum, pregnant women have higher levels of hCG than pregnant women in general.

Symptoms of hyperemesis gravidarum may decrease as you get older, usually around 20 weeks of gestation, or even longer. In hyperemesis gravidarum, pregnant women can be nauseous for a long time and vomit many times a day, even interfering with eating and drinking.

Nausea and vomiting that is very severe can cause pregnant women to experience dehydration, metabolic disorders (levels of electrolytes and ketones in the body become abnormal), and rapid weight loss. Therefore, pregnant women who experience hyperemesis gravidarum need medical attention, unlike morning sickness.