728x90
my iParenting
From Our Sponsors
e-newsletters
Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters

new terms of use
new privacy policy
award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Home › Articles › Health and Physical Changes › A New Way to Look at Morning Sickness

A New Way to Look at Morning Sickness

Is Morning Sickness Wellness Insurance?

By Teri Brown

Pages:  1  2  3  

  • Historically, meat and strong-tasting vegetables were likely to contain parasites, pathogens and plant toxins; these foods tend to reliably trigger morning sickness symptoms across cultures. Alcohol and cigarette smoke, which also can harm the fetus while organs are forming, also trigger the nausea.
  • Societies that consume more meats, strong-tasting vegetables and alcohol have higher rates of morning sickness than societies whose staples are bland plant products.
  • Only humans experience morning sickness, as far as is known, because of their "extraordinary broad diet," compared with other primates and mammals, the researchers suggest.

    "All this leads us to suggest that morning sickness is a misnomer," Sherman says. "It doesn't occur just in the morning, and it's not an illness. It can occur any time of day and it appears to be beneficial – we could call it a form of evolutionary wellness insurance."

    Sherman believes that nausea and vomiting is a normal, evolved phenomenon that was useful in protecting mothers and embryos in ancient environments, and may similarly be useful today, especially where refrigeration and food processing are minimal.

    According to Sherman, if women early in pregnancy avoided these foods, as well as their smells (e.g., on rugs, drapes and towels at home and in public places like shopping malls), they would experience less nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. In support of this he points out that in seven traditional societies that eat only bland grains (no meats, no strong veggies), nausea and vomiting during pregnancy has not been observed.

    So is morning sickness really beneficial? Very possibly, but that may be small comfort to the women around the world suffering from it!

    Tips to Avoid or Lesson Morning Sickness

  • Avoid strong smelling meats and veggies during the early stages of pregnancy.
  • Eat saltine crackers upon waking if sickness in the morning is troublesome.
  • Eat several light meals daily instead of three larger ones.
  • Drink plenty of fluids to avoid getting dehydrated
  • Avoid fried foods as they can be a nausea trigger.


    • Pages:  1  2  3  

    Want to see more?

    Comments

    Found 2 comments
    Displaying all 2 comments below

    Re: A New Way to Look at Morning Sickness by anonymous on 11/19/2008 01:12PM

    Yes, but this somehow makes it sounds like those of us without severe morning sickness are somehow not operating correctly to protect our unborn babies. I have been nauseous in all of my pregnancies - extra nauseous when pregnant with twins, but haven't really thrown up in my pregnancies. So what does that mean? That I am not protecting my baby? I think it has to do with hormones. I felt just as nauseous when I first started birth control pills that contained large doses of hormones. I guess it's a nice way to look at it for those who suffer so terribly with severe morning sickness (and I feel for them!), but still the theory doesn't add up to me. Also, there are some women who don't get nauseous at all!

    Re: A New Way to Look at Morning Sickness by Annabeth on 10/14/2008 01:07AM

    Never thought anyone could make me re-think morning sickness, but you did. Maybe there is a reason why so many pregnant women suffer. Maybe it is helping our bodies in some way prepare for our miracle. Thanks for putting a new twist on an old symptom.

    add a comment.

    Post As:
    Enter your comment below:
    Title
    Comment Text
    CAPTCHA
    Please note that any comments submitted become the property of Disney Family / iParenting and can be edited and posted at our discrection.