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So let's explore how oestrogen (a powerful hormone) affects your body and ways to feel better in such conditions.
Why Does Oestrogen Rise During Pregnancy?
During early pregnancy, your oestrogen levels can rise to 100 times higher than before you conceived. This surge helps your baby develop and maintain a healthy pregnancy. But, as oestrogen helps in the growth of your baby, it also makes you feel nauseated, especially during the first trimester.
How Exactly Does Oestrogen Trigger Morning Sickness?
Although the exact reason for morning sickness isn't fully understood, doctors believe that rising oestrogen levels play a major role.
- The stomach and brain are sensitive: Oestrogen affects the part of the brain that controls nausea and vomiting. When hormonal levels rise, your brain's nausea centre becomes more responsive.
- Heightened sense of smell and taste: Oestrogen can make you extra sensitive to strong odours or certain foods, causing nausea more easily.
- Impact on stomach movement: Higher oestrogen levels may slow down digestion, making your stomach feel heavy or bloated, which adds to that queasy feeling.
- Interaction with other hormones: Oestrogen works in conjunction with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), another hormone associated with pregnancy and morning sickness. When both hit together, morning sickness peaks.
When Does Morning Sickness Usually Start and End?
You might start feeling nauseous as early as week 5 or 6 of pregnancy, just after your missed period. Usually, symptoms improve within 2-3 months in most individuals after the hormone levels start to stabilise, but in some, mild symptoms can persist until 5-6 months or even later.
If vomiting becomes excessive or you struggle to keep fluids down, it might be a condition called hyperemesis gravidarum, which needs medical attention.
Why Do Some Individuals Experience Worse Morning Sickness Than Others?
You might wonder why your friend breezed through her pregnancy while you can barely tolerate breakfast. Every individual's hormone balance is unique. The seriousness of morning sickness can depend on:
- Level of the hormones
- Carrying twins or triplets
- Passed down genetically, if your mother had it, you might have too
- Having existing stomach acidity or having motion sickness
What Are the Common Symptoms of Oestrogen-Linked Morning Sickness?
A rise in oestrogen can result in:
- Constant feeling of sickness, especially in the morning or after some particular smells
- Vomiting after eating
- Food aversions, where you no longer like the food you once loved
- Heightened smell sensitivity at peak
- Dizziness or tiredness due to low appetite
How Can You Manage Morning Sickness Effectively?
Hormonal changes aren't something you can control, but managing them is possible to some extent.
- Having long gaps between meals can affect your health, so try to eat frequently, even if it's just a little, as an empty stomach can worsen nausea.
- Having dry snacks can help in absorbing stomach acid and decrease nausea, especially before getting out of bed.
- Drink water throughout the day. Try experimenting with different fluids if plain water feels difficult
- Avoid foods or smells that trigger nausea or other unpleasant symptoms. Common ones include fried foods, perfumes, or strong spices.
- Inhaling fresh air by keeping windows open, letting the room stay airy, and taking a walk outside can help ease nausea. Fatigue can exacerbate the condition, so rest whenever possible.
Emotional and Social Support During This Phase
Morning sickness can ruin your day emotionally, leaving you feeling tired, frustrated, or anxious, especially when everyday tasks become challenging. Talking heartily with your partner or loved ones about how you feel helps reduce stress.
Remember, you don't need to "tough it out" alone. Seeking emotional support, rest, and reassurance can greatly help you navigate pregnancy calmly and with ease.
What You Can Do Next: A Quick Checklist
- Skipping meals is restricted; eat light and intermittently
- Keep yourself hydrated throughout the day
- Monitor your symptoms and try to understand what you are feeling
- Resting is the key
- Let your doctor know if the nausea worsens
- Handle yourself positively; this will pass by the 2nd trimester
A baby's growth and development also depend on rising oestrogen levels, but they also play a key role in causing morning sickness. Having a better understanding of your hormones helps you to handle them calmly, even if it's uncomfortable. By following simple dietary habits, staying hydrated, and knowing when to seek medical help, you can navigate this phase more comfortably and focus on the joy of your pregnancy journey.
Whether you’re pregnant, a new mom, or navigating postpartum, you don’t have to do it alone. Join our support group to connect, share, and support one another.
FAQs on How Rising Oestrogen Levels Can Influence Morning Sickness
- Can high levels of oestrogen be dangerous in pregnancy?
Generally, no. A rising level of oestrogen is a normal and healthy sign of pregnancy. But if it comes with unusual symptoms like extreme nausea, headaches, or high blood pressure, it's best to let your doctor know your condition. - Why is the first trimester severely affected by morning sickness?
The level of hormones like oestrogen and hCG rises rapidly during the first trimester, making your body respond more rapidly to nausea triggers. As hormone levels balance out in the second trimester, symptoms usually subside. - What if I don't have morning sickness at all?
That's perfectly fine! Every pregnancy is unique. Not having morning sickness doesn't mean anything is wrong; your body responds differently to hormonal changes.