1. When does morning sickness start?
Morning sickness usually occurs in the early stages of pregnancy within the first 12 weeks after conception usually around the 6-week mark and peaks between weeks 8-11. If you suffer from severe nausea or hyperemesis gravidarum, however, it can last for the length of your pregnancy. Morning sickness usually stops between week 16 and week 20 of your pregnancy. This can vary from women to women, however and some women may experience pregnancy nausea until 40 weeks. Symptoms such as feeling sick, nauseous, fatigued, out of sorts, or you're actually vomiting - then you have morning sickness. Eating fresh ginger and even sniffing lemons have been credited with relieving pregnancy nausea. In addition, eating oats, wholegrains, in small quantities will help maintain blood sugar levels and can prevent one from feeling sick.
2. Why are their cravings for certain foods?
Cravings can be caused by various factors including hormonal changes and a heightened sense of smell and taste. Cravings for ordinary foods like chocolate, fruit and vegetables can happen. Examples of foods are chocolate, seaweed, toothpaste and sponges, fruit, vegetables and the like. The cravings can start in the first month of pregnancy when the high levels of HCG produced by the body, makes tastes and smells very heightened. They often get stronger in the second trimester before easing a little in the last trimester.
3. What are early signs of pregnancy?
• Loss of appetite for favorite foods
• Stomach twinges
• Vulva or vagina change in color
• Urinating more frequently
• Metallic taste in mouth
• Bloating
• Pain that resembles menstrual cycle pain
• Tender breasts
• Bleeding or spotting
• Missed period
• Nausea or morning sickness
• Fatigue
• Backaches
• Leg cramps
• Headaches
4. When is there baby movement?
Generally pregnant women will start to feel their baby move between 16-24 weeks. The gestation at which women and pregnant people start to feel the first movements is dependent on whether they've had a baby before or not. There's no set number of normal movements once they start; they tend to increase until 32 weeks of pregnancy and then stay about the same through labor and birth.
5. What helps with pregnancy hot flashes?
• Wear layers so you can remove clothing quickly if you suddenly feel hot. Wear breathable natural fabrics such as cotton or linen.
• Sleep in thin clothing and use a room fan at night, so you're less likely to overheat. Take cool or tepid showers.
• Eat little and often to ensure blood sugar levels stay consistent. This is because blood sugar spikes or crashes can sometimes cause body temperature to change.
In general, during the third trimester when the uterus has grown significantly, this will also cause a rise in body temperature as the cardiovascular system is working that bit harder.
