The Reality

Where did the morning part come from? If it is medical jargon for 10am, 1pm, 8pm etc then it is morning! Reality as you may have already guessed is, that it can be any time during the first trimester (the first 3 months) and it can last longer!!!

Ibiza hangovers, or the morning after the works Christmas party are nothing in comparison. Remember the morning after that first cigar with a brandy or two or even the eight pints with the kebab and lots of chilli sauce. Well. that seems to be a similar experience to what your partner is going through.

* Note: Never say the same as!! We’re blokes - what would we know? Besides if it wasn’t for you she wouldn’t be feeling this way, so tread very, very carefully indeed.

Your partner may throw up regularly throughout the day and / or night. She may just shuffle around at home feeling generally awful. For some they never suffer any morning sickness and these privileged few are widely hated by those that do.

It would be wise to remember that this is a particularly difficult time, because in between the waves of nausea and sickness your other half may also be trying to hold down a job and look after us!

Incidentally get in the way of the bathroom door when she is on route for the 5th time in 45 minutes and you may receive a hand off that makes Jason Leonard look like an amateur. You have been warned!!

The factual bit

Morning sickness is normally in the first part of the pregnancy but can continue throughout.

It seems to be considered by the medical profession, though not perhaps by your partner at the time, a good thing and is linked to a lower rate of miscarriage and larger, healthier babies.

Unhelpfully, it seems the actual cause is not known although it appears to be widely accepted that it is linked to the hormone changes that occur naturally when a woman is pregnant.

The hormone known as human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) rises abruptly in the early part of the pregnancy and this leads to the production of other pregnancy hormones. This rise in the
hormone production occurs during the first 6 weeks and is at its highest at roughly 10 weeks. At about 12 weeks it usually starts to subside, hence a lot of women only have to deal with it in the first trimester.

Some doctors and midwives think that morning sickness maybe worse in women carrying twins or triplets, however there is no factual basis for this.

What you can do... run, hide and get a mistress! Seriously though, we don’t make light of this, and you shouldn’t either. From our chats with countless women on the topic, it seems that even just the smell of cooking can send them charging to the bathroom. Don’t therefore set out to cook that  “romantic” chicken balti!
The following have helped our partners and some of the women we have spoken to. They may or may not work but as you will discover as a new dad-to-be there never seems to be one answer or solution to a particular problem.

1. Get her to rest, which sorry to say lads, means we have to help out a bit more.
2. Vitamin B6 apparently helps her feel less nauseous. Buy her some because, hey, they won’t be wasted. Even if she doesn’t have them you will take them and every other vitamin on the planet when you are feeling knackered beyond belief.
3. Vitamin B12 - same deal but this time apparently may reduce number of times she vomits.
4. Ginger helped one of our wives (biscuits, root ginger, capsules or as a tea).
5. Circulate air at home so that odours don’t build up.
6. Plenty of fluids to keep her hydrated (avoid booze and caffeine).
7. If your partner is being sick regularly she may become dehydrated or have other side effects. If you and / or she think this is the case seek medical advice immediately.
8. Travel sickness bands and pills (make sure you discuss this with your doctor first).
9. Complimentary treatments so book her some acupuncture or something (provided she’s not scared of needles!).
10. Make sure she is eating little and often, as hunger can also cause sickness.
11. Dried biscuits such as cream crackers and rich tea were another common favourite.
12. Make sure she avoids sudden movement.

 In summary, treat her as you would like to be treated when you are suffering from a mega hangover, however I suggest you avoid the full English with black pudding!

For further information on this issue go to:

NHS Direct
National Child Birth Trust