Morning Sickness Myths
By:Cherie Brunetti, Contributing Editor
One of the difficulties that you may face during your first trimester is the onset of morning sickness. Approximately 90% of pregnant woman will experience morning sickness to some degree. If you are dealing with morning sickness, take heart in the fact that about 85% of women feel better by the 16th week of pregnancy. Like with everything else about pregnancy, there are some myths surrounding morning sickness.
Myth #1
You may hear that morning sickness can lead to miscarriage. This absolutely is a myth. If you have any concerns, talk with your doctor. If you are experiencing morning sickness, the last thing that you need to be doing is stressing about it leading to a miscarriage.
Myth #2
Vomiting during morning sickness will hurt your baby. It is true that you may feel terrible (and you have my sympathy!) but your baby is as happy as a clam. The baby is completely safe even after the smell of the chicken that you were trying to make for dinner makes you barf for the fifth time that day.
Myth #3
Morning sickness will prevent your baby from getting the nutrients that she needs to grow and develop. It is true that if you are very sick, you run the risk of becoming dehydrated. Do your best to eat a healthy diet and take your prenatal vitamins. Eat when you can. If you are able to keep fluids down, you and your baby will be fine. Unless your morning sickness is unusually severe, your baby will not be negatively affected. When morning sickness is this extreme it is called hyperemesis gravidarum. If you are concerned about this at all, call your doctor.
Myth #4
If you are not experiencing morning sickness, you are probably having a boy. This is actually a great example of an old-wives tale. There is no evidence that the presence or lack of morning sickness can in any way predict the gender of your baby.
Myth #5
The biggest myth of all is that morning sickness only occurs in the morning. LIES!! Mine was actually worse in the evening but it hit me at completely random times. I had a difficult time going grocery shopping during my first trimester because totally random foods and smells triggered my barfing reflex. There’s nothing like slide tackling some poor old lady getting cat food as you bolt headlong for the bathroom!
