Conference moira::parenting

================================================================================
Note 55.59        Women's Health/Pregnancy & Childbirth-related         59 of 80
WHEEL::POMEROY                                       18 lines  19-MAR-1993 12:33
                        -< morning sickness in 2nd tri >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    I'm just wondering if anyone else has experience this or heard
    of it happening.
    
    I am now in my 18th week of pregnancy with my 3rd child.  The
    first 2 pregnancies, I was sick the first 3 months and then it
    ended.  Pretty normal.
    
    THIS ONE!  I thought I was going to get away with no morning
    sickness.  I didn't have any... until about the last week -
    week and a half!  
    
    Has anyone else experienced this?  I can't believe I wasn't sick
    in the first trimester, but am getting it now in my 2nd trimester!
    
    ERR...  I thought I was going to beat it. Guess I was wrong
    
    Thanks,
    
================================================================================
Note 55.60        Women's Health/Pregnancy & Childbirth-related         60 of 80
IMTDEV::COOP                                          9 lines  19-MAR-1993 13:23
                       -< Glad it's all over with now! >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Re- last
    
    I was sick my *whole* pregnancy.  All kinds of smells set me off,
    especially ciggarette smoke.  It became kind of a "ritual" if you
    will.  My husband always wanted to know how I could handle being
    sick so often.  It became as normal as getting dressed in the
    morning.  Brushing my teeth made me sick.  :-)
    
    
================================================================================
Note 55.61        Women's Health/Pregnancy & Childbirth-related         61 of 80
KAOFS::M_FETT "alias Mrs.Barney"                      9 lines  19-MAR-1993 14:05
                                -< the teeth! >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    I can relate to the teeth brushing. This made me gag every
    time throughout both pregnancies (its actually the way I knew
    after the first week that I was pregnant again!).
    
    I had more general nausea in the 1st and 3rd trimesters.
    
	Monica
    (had to slink into the dentist with my head held low: "But it made
    me sick!")
================================================================================
Note 55.62        Women's Health/Pregnancy & Childbirth-related         62 of 80
MVBLAB::TRIOLO                                        9 lines  22-MAR-1993 08:52
                   -< Never got sick until the fourth month >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    	I only got sick in the fourth month.  So did my mother.
    However, my mom's doctor told her it was psychosematic (all in
    her head).  My doctor was more compassionate and gave the famous
    phrase.
    
    	"Everyone's pregnancy is different."
    
    He had, however, had women who only got sick in the second trimester.
================================================================================
Note 55.66        Women's Health/Pregnancy & Childbirth-related         66 of 80
BCSE::WEIER "Patty, DTN 381-0877"                    20 lines  14-APR-1993 15:31
               -< 3 months, 2 days and started morning sickness >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    Back to the morning sickness ... I felt FINE for the first trimester,
    and then the beginning of my second trimester, for about a month, just
    about anything would make me sick.  I was never sick with either of my
    other 2 pregnancies.  It just kind of seems to have gone away.  The
    only thing my Dr said was (fairly adamantly) MAKE SURE you don't let
    your stomach get empty!!  That helped.  I don't know if this is related
    or not, but during that time I also had a UTI, and my iron was real
    low.  Both problems have been corrected.
    
    As for brushing my teeth ... I've read this conference for some time
    and always thought the notes in here about getting nauseous from
    brushing your teeth must be from some "alien" mothers, and what a SILLY
    thing to be the result of pregnancy!!  NEVER laugh at anyone!!  With
    this one, I have the same problem - in general, I've noticed that my
    "gag" reflex is a LOT more sensitive and even just coughing hard is
    enough to send me praying to the porcelin god - I HOPE this goes away
    because it's REALLY a pain in the butt!
    
    Good Luck!
================================================================================
Note 55.67        Women's Health/Pregnancy & Childbirth-related         67 of 80
WHEEL::POMEROY                                       15 lines  15-APR-1993 12:26
                            -< 2nd Trimester blues >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Hi Patty,
    
    I had morning sickness in the 1st trimester with both of my children.
    When I didn't get it this time, I thought I was going to get away with
    it, boy was I wrong!  I got it in the 4th month and am now 5 1/2 months
    and still get it!  
    
    And yes, brushing teeth is very difficult.  I sure hope it goes away
    soon.  They say in the 2nd trimester, we "should" be over
    morning sickness and feeling "comfortably" pregnant.  NOT!!  
    
    Good luck,
    
    Peggy
    
================================================================================
Note 55.68        Women's Health/Pregnancy & Childbirth-related         68 of 80
HELIX::LEGER                                         21 lines   7-JUN-1993 15:38
                 -< 1st tirmester, and hope they go away soon >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    I am into my 9th week, and by have things been rough.  I hope someone
    here can point me in the right direction, or give me some suggestions.
    
    I have been sick every morning for 2 weeks.  I think I have attributed
    it to the vitamins. I have stopped taking them, and I haven't been
    sicke since.   Also, along with the morning sickness, I have afternoon
    nausia and evening nausia...It just doesn't want to go away. I am
    eating only small dry foods, but boy is this getting borring.  I have
    taken to "non-fat, sugar-free" frozen yogurt in the afternoon,and that
    really makes a difference, but if I keep this up, I am going be be as
    big as a house.
    
    Also, I have just come down with my 2nd severe cold in the last 8
    weeks.  I have been told that I can take sudafed, however it doesn't
    help me sleep at night :-(  So, I am up all  night sniffeling,
    sneezing, and blowing my nose :-(
    
    I have been told that this will pass, I sure hope so, because if not,
    its sure going to be a long 7 more months.
    
    Anne Marie
================================================================================
Note 55.69        Women's Health/Pregnancy & Childbirth-related         69 of 80
IMTDEV::COOP "It's your Destiny"                     11 lines   7-JUN-1993 15:45
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Anne Marie:
    
    I was sick morning, noon and night.  Because I was sick to my stomach,
    I didn't feel like eating.  As soon as I started eating *right* most
    of my naseau went away.  I was feeling sick because I was hungry, and
    not eating right.  It helped if I took my vitamins on a full stomach
    also.
    
    Hope this helps.  (I lost 17lbs my first trimester because I was soo
    sick!)
    
================================================================================
Note 55.70        Women's Health/Pregnancy & Childbirth-related         70 of 80
CSLALL::LMURPHY                                      10 lines   7-JUN-1993 15:47
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    I am going on 11 weeks and have been sick as a dog all day/night for
    an eternity.....dying to reach 2nd trimester!!!!!!  i am scared to 
    death of becoming a house...i feel very acidity and need to keep eating
    to absorb it....gained too much already!!!  and brushing is hard....i 
    bought crest cause the colgate was making me sick...but the gagging is
    still there.  I can't wait for it to be over!  I feel so bad for my 
    17 month old...i feel crudy and have no energy....tough on my hurricane
    girl!!  i feel like the "before" girls on the jenny craig commercial and 
    am really bumming out.....last time I didn't show til i was 6 1/2
    months along..this time I'm starting fatter and already showing.
================================================================================
Note 55.71        Women's Health/Pregnancy & Childbirth-related         71 of 80
HELIX::LEGER                                         19 lines   7-JUN-1993 15:58
                           -< I know what you mean >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    re: -1
    
    I know what you mean...(jenny craig girl )
    
    I feel like during the last week, my stomache has jumped out from me
    :-(  NOthing is comfortable any more, but I refuse!!! to go into
    maternity clothes yet!  (Espically since no-one in my group knows, and
    I know none of them read the file :-)  )
    
    I have found that I just dislike foods that I use to love :-(  I can't
    eat chicken or steak at all, just putting it into my mouth makes me
    sick....  The only thinks I have found that are ok, is Toast, plain
    potatoes, plain pasta, and Chicken noodle soup (watered down so its not
    salty :-(  )...I can't wait for the 2nd tri-mester to come....
    
    I am going to my first Ultrasound on the 17th, and I am really excited! 
    I have had no compications so far, so I think this one might be a go!!!
    
    
================================================================================
Note 55.72        Women's Health/Pregnancy & Childbirth-related         72 of 80
CSLALL::LMURPHY                                       9 lines   7-JUN-1993 16:13
                             -< "healthy request" >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    I refuse to go into mat clothes too!! but i did just move into my
    sisters jeans (which she is too small for since jenny craig!!!!!)
    
    i wish my doctor did ultrasounds...."only when there is an indication
    it's necessary"   that bums me out....i feel like i am missing an
    experience
    
    i think campbells make a healthy request soup...probably really cut
    down on the salt...might be worth checking out.
================================================================================
Note 55.73        Women's Health/Pregnancy & Childbirth-related         73 of 80
KAOFS::M_BARNEY "Formerly Ms.Fett"                   21 lines   7-JUN-1993 16:14
                           -< hang in there ladies >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    I feel for you! Pregnancy can be really uncomfortable in many many
    ways. Just one step and a time - We're routing for you!
    
    Re: the weight: As discussed before, please don't worry about 
    the weight thing if your doctor is not worried. If you are that 
    concientious about size, you WILL have the will to get rid of it
    later, so that should not be an issue. Do not give yourself extra
    worries - that's probably worse for you than gaining a few pounds.
    
    re: vitamins - I have heard from several sources (including my
    doc) that maternity vitamins can make you feel more nausea. Suggestion
    is to either look for alternatives or try taking them at another time
    of day (i.e. with food like the previous noter said). Tell your doc
    about it. He/she may have alternatives....
    
    re: maternity clothes - it'll happen sometime....8-)
    
    Good luck
    
    Monica (from someone who gained 45 pounds each time!)
    
================================================================================
Note 55.75        Women's Health/Pregnancy & Childbirth-related         75 of 80
SUPER::WTHOMAS                                       17 lines   8-JUN-1993 09:31
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    Ah these replies bring back so many memories.
    
	Regarding maternity clothes, never say never, you will be surprised
    at what you will be forced (and willing) to wear at the end just
    because it fits and it is comfortable.
    
    	Regarding weight, please (as Monica suggested) forget that you are
    American for just nine months. Don't get on the scale every morning,
    don't WORRY about the weight, there are so many other things to obsess
    about during pregnancy ;-) If you feel hungry then by all means EAT. If
    you are sick and think that food helps you then EAT.
    
    	Listen to your body, it holds a great deal of wisdom. 
    
    		Wendy who only learned by going through it herself *sigh*
    
================================================================================
Note 55.76        Women's Health/Pregnancy & Childbirth-related         76 of 80
POCUS::CUFF                                          15 lines   8-JUN-1993 09:34
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    re: .68
    
    I had much trouble with prenatal vitamins, tried 3 kinds working 
    with doctor and found each made me nauseous.  Finally settled
    on taking them at bedtime, sleeping off the nausea.  Funny thing,
    never had a problem taking them (any of the 3 kinds) after I had
    the baby, while nursing, so I figure it's a combination with 
    hormones, etc.  The doctor warned me against taking them at
    bedtime, said they should be taken at breakfast so maximum 
    absorption would happen while I was awake and my system functioning
    during the day, that I would want this for the baby's health.
    Kate was 10lbs, 23" almost double the size of any newborn in the
    nursery, so I figure she didn't suffer too much!   
    Maybe you can experiment with taking the vitamins at different
    times of day.  Good luck, this too shall pass.
================================================================================
Note 55.77        Women's Health/Pregnancy & Childbirth-related         77 of 80
BCSE::WEIER "Patty, DTN 381-0877"                    25 lines   8-JUN-1993 10:36
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    I'm 5.5 months now, and since the very beginning, I've been feeling
    sick off and on.  The one thing my doctor said was "Make SURE you never
    let your stomach get empty!"  This may sound like a lot of eating, but
    ANYTHING beats that acidic feeling.  In rounding things out, I eat much
    smaller meals, and then snack frequently.  Crackers, peanuts, popcorn,
    those sort of things.  And it works wonderfully.  This past w/end we
    were shopping all day Saturday, so I couldn't snack as frequently as
    I'm used to.  Then we were running LATE for lunch, and by the time it
    was time to eat, I couldn't fathom the thought of eating because I felt
    SO sick.  Fortunately, I made myself eat, and after only a few bites, I
    felt MUCH better. 
    
    As for weight .... well, I started a lot heavier than I'd have liked,
    and I don't think I've ever weighed this much in my life (even at the
    end of the other 2).  But knowing how MUCH it's bothering me now, is
    giving me the strength to know that I WILL get rid of it later.  That,
    plus the fact that my bones were never intended to carry this much
    weight, and those "old track injuries" are really starting to flare up.
    There'll be plenty of time to lose the weight later.  I'm just trying
    to make this pregnancy a pleasant experience, and worry about the rest
    when the time comes.
    
    Good Luck!
    
================================================================================
Note 55.79        Women's Health/Pregnancy & Childbirth-related         79 of 80
SWAM2::MASSEY_VI "It's all in the cue"               13 lines   8-JUN-1993 12:09
                               -< Good for now. >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    11 weeks?  I am at 8 weeks and the sickness is killing me.  This is my
    second but with the first I didn't work and could moon around the house
    and sleep off my sickness.  Now I get up and have to eat my breakfast
    in the bathroom just in case.  This weekend was the worse.  Then all of
    the sudden after my appointment I felt 100% better.  Even this morning
    I ate like a bear and didn't even feel the slightest bit ill.  I just
    hope this will last for a while. 
    
    I also have found that if I don't bring alot of snackie things to work
    I will feel very ill by the end of the day.  So I have been eating to
    satisfy myself and have put on a few.  
    
    Virginia

    The following note deals with the topic of weight gain:
    
    157  BAGELS::MATSIS        9-JUN-1992    35  Weight Gain During Pregnancy

    Has anyone heard of heartburn in early pregnancy??  Is this possible?
    This is for someone who's never had heartburn, not even in a previous
    pregnancy....
    
    And what about bad stomach (diarrhoea-style) cramps and bad gas pain?
    Is this common?
    
    Of course there's the never-ending nausea, to make this adventure even
    **more** fun....
    
    Thanks for any info,
    
    lh
                   
    

    RE:-1
    
    Yes, I had major case of BAD heartburn in early pregnancy with Neel
    (#2). I also had a mild case of diarrhoea and a BAD case of gas. I cut
    out any fried foods or foods that had baking soda (not baking powder)
    in it.
    
    Shaila

	No heartburn, but three days running of indigestion. 

	Diarrhea and gas pains were also par for the course
	during the first trimester, even before the "morning" (ha!)
	sickness kicked in.

	Karen

	PS - I secretly hoped the iron in the pre-natal vitamins would
	constipate me a bit.  No such luck, and when I added more iron
	supplements at 28 weeks, they made me even more "regular" ... sigh.

    Well I can also confirm the heartburn!  I never got indegestion or
    heartburn, and then Bam! when I got pregnant, it seemed like the
    heartburn was a 24hour thing....
    
    One thing to try is Plain Tums or Mylanta.  They seemed to worked
    wonders for me...I was taking the extra-strenght tums and were chery
    flavored, but made the heartburn worse, when I switched to the plain
    white ones,they were like a miracle cure.
    
    as for Diarrhea and gas pains, I have the pains real severe, right
    before I have to go to the bathroom :-( (I always say to myself, if
    this is what labor pains are like, I don't want them :-) )...
    
    I am now at 14 weeks, and the heartburn went away magically :-)  I get
    it probably once a week, but thats nothing compared to 24hrs a day like
    before :-(
    
    Anne Marie
    

    When I was about 10 weeks along (and experienced 2 weeks of being
    nausous) my husband and I attended a 2 hour class at the hospital for
    new parents-to-be.  During this meeting we each shared our "experience"
    to date.  Needless to say there were many variations of morning
    sickness discussed.  One woman who was pregnant with her second told us
    about how awful her first pregnancy was and went into detail.  I
    remember my first thought was "how could she possibly be pregnant
    again after an experience like that".
    
    I went to bed thinking I couldn't deal with 6.5 months of misery and
    this was not going to happen to me.  You know I woke up the next morning 
    with no nausea and did not experience morning sickness again.  
    
    Ok...so maybe it was a coincidence since it was around the time morning 
    sickness ends for a high percentage of people.  But I like to believe in 
    the power of the mind.
    

    Hmmm...interesting thought.  
    
    I *do* believe in the power of positive thinking in healing...
    
    ...but I tend to think this time it had more to do with the
    hormone levels balancing off due to the timing.  :-)
    
    Noranne

    I was told by my DR. that if you had a little snack before bedtime
    (plain toast) that it would keep your blood sugar level through the
    night, and you would not wake up with the nausia.  They say that you
    feel terrible when your blood sugar level drops, thats why they say to
    eat a lot of little meals, than 3 big meals.
    
    from experience, the toast at night before bed did help, at least for
    me....
    
    Anne Marie
    

    Two pregnancies, one live birth, I was sick, nauseau heartburn
    literally from day of conception through the delivery with the first. 
    I'm not kidding, I kept a package of Tempo antacids with me like a
    security blanket.  The other disturbing part of the nausea is
    frequently it was preceded by a period of light headednes and cold
    sweats.  Encouragement, well the whole thing did seem to get noticably
    better at 3 months+1day!  I had two periods with a stomach flu bad
    enough to be hospitalized for dehydration with this one.  
    
    The second pregnancy was not quite as bad, but I still became
    phsycially ill, carried the antacids, but this time I couldn't eat pork
    products at all, guaranteed if I did I'd be worshiping the porceline
    god within hours after!
    
    I can ususally tell if I'm pregnant, even before the home test, just
    because I get this heartburn that just won't quit!  You should have
    seen me last summer, I had something else going on with my stomach that
    was causing nausea and heartburn.  I spent several months thinking I
    was pregnant, but still having monthly cycles.  I had an ultrasound to
    detect any abdominal problems, and I kept thinking the tech would find
    a tiny body!  Fortunately, or unfortunate I'm not sure, she didn't.
    
    Lyn

	A recent Parents' magazine (July or August) had a short article
	on morning sickness.  It said morning sickness is usually the
	worst with the first pregnancy.  It had some recommendations for
	keeping the nausea at bay, and some recommended foods (and some foods
	to avoid).

	From personal experience:

	Baby #1, Indigestion at about 3.5 weeks lasting 3 days.  Lots
		 of gas and diarrhea.  Couldn't eat much, couldn't even
		 eat to get rid of nausea.  Lots of food aversions.  Ended
		 at the start of the 15th week.

	Baby #2, Indigestions at about 3.5 weeks lasting 3 days, lots
	 	 of gas and diarrhea, horribly nauseous during the heatwave.
		 Now, at nine weeks, I can eat small meals, can usually find
		 *something* to get down to get rid of the nausea.  I also
		 found, by trial and error, that I can alleviate most morning
		 nausea by eating something right before bed.

    
    Well, I'm on my third, and at 32 weeks the "morning sickness" is still
    with me.  With my first 2 I had a grand total of maybe a week of
    feeling "not quite right".  Of course this one has a different dad, so
    that may have something to do with it.
    
    The two biggest helps has been, from the advice of my Dr.  *NEVER* let
    your stomach get empty.  And, from after it's too late, and my stomach
    is empty, or when things are just too upset to "go away", the Tums have
    been working MIRACLES!!
    
    Make sure you chew them very very well, as they're more effective that
    way, and if you can handle a sip of water or something with them, it
    helps as well.  Then sit up and wait to burp (how lady-like! (-;)  I
    took them once and laid down right away - thought I was going to die
    till I sat up, burped, and felt instantly FINE.  Now there's a bottle
    of them on the living room table, a bottle at work, and a few packages
    in my pocketbook.  They could charge $100.00 and they'd be worth it!
    (-:
    

    Well, it's me again....
    
    I'm wondering if any other noters have experienced severe morning
    sickness....not just a little queezy, but serious nausea and vomitting
    on a daily basis.  It is so bad that it wakes me up in the middle of
    the night.  I'm 11.5 weeks and this is my second pregnancy.  I've
    done all the normal things to combat this (eat little bits regularly,
    crackers, toast, etc.)  I can't remember when I felt OK....this has
    been going on for the past 8 weeks CONSTANTLY (24 hrs a day).
    
    I called my doctor this a.m. and am waiting for him to call back.  The
    nurse said he "might" prescribe something for me.  Has anyone else
    taken a prescribed drug for morning sickness?  Did it help??
    
    Any responses would be greatly appreciated...
    
    Thanks,
    
    Linette
           

    Linette
    
    My SIL who is due in October, was constantly sick during the beginning
    of her pregnancy...she wasn't eating or sleeping because she was soooo
    sick....
    
    The doctor prescribed a medication that she took at night, and she said
    it really hleped.....so here's hoping the DR will prescirbe something
    for you....
    
    Hang in there, 11.5 weeks, hopefully it will pass in the next few
    weeks...
    
    Anne Marie
    

    Have you tried the antacids??  I take 1-2 Tums quite a few times a day,
    and in particular right before a meal.  It helps it want to GO down,
    and keep it down.  At 33 weeks, it really hasn't lightened up much the
    whole time.  All I can say is this better be one CUTE baby (-:
    

    My method was two antacids at bed time, Tempo chewables were the most
    tolerable, but I'd venture a guess that the new coated kind you take
    with water would work well too.  I always made sure I had something
    before bedtime to eat, sometimes a bowl of cereal like cherios, or even
    cooked oatmeal.  If my body woke up in the middle of the night I made
    sure I ate something as soon as possible.  Yes, we're talking like 4am!
    I became addicted to a bowl of cereal with milk, or even just a slice
    of dry toast with a small glass of milk.  This seemed to make mornings
    more pleasant.  My first rule, if I had managed to sleep through the
    night was DO NOT do anything until there's something in my stomach!  If
    I tried, my body would react to "empty stomach" nausea.
    
    The doctor told me to take a tablespoon of a product called "Emetrol",
    which is a child's liquid used to control vomiting in children.
    Non-prescription, mostly a sugar base liquid.  I thought it tasted
    awful, but oh well it worked so who cares!  I was sick from conception
    through delivery!
    
    Lyn

    I'm 16 weeks and have had "all-day" sickness since about 5 weeks.  The
snack before bed-time doesn't help, nor does eating crackers before getting
up in the morning, nor taking Tums.  I am snacking all day to keep my stomach
from getting empty; this seems to help a bit, but I still (for the most part)
am vomiting at least once a day - mostly in the morning and evenings.  
    At 16 weeks, I should be over this by now, but I may be one of the 
"lucky ones" for which it continues.  I did lose some weight at first but am
now up about 3 lbs from my starting weight.  I see the doctor this week, but
don't expect to be really be told anything new.

Sick of being sick.

    sick....
    
    talk to your doctor.....when I was getting really sick, I traced it to
    the Vitamins....and they let me stop taking them for a few weeks...and
    it seemed to do the trick...
    
    ...When I took the Vitamins at night, I would be vomiting the first
    thing when I got out of bed...If I took them in the morning, I would be
    sick by lunch time....etc. 
    
    When I explained this to the doctor, she said to stop taking them, and
    try again in a few weeks...It seemed to work, because I stopped being
    sick right away.  
    
    I have started taking the Vitamins again, and am not sick, but have
    heartburn constantly....
    
    Anne Marie
    

    I have heard that the vitamins can cause nausea, so I did stop taking them
    for a couple of reasons.  Right around the time that I started taking them
    I broke out with a very bad case of hives and we weren't sure if they
    were causing them.  Turns out I still got hives and still do (just a little
    in my sleep).  So, I've been taking the vitamins only on "good days" as
    they do make me sick.  Will see what the doctor says this week...

    RE: -1
    
    I know how you feel....I'm so sick of being sick that I could scream.
    Nothing seems to help (like you said).  My doctor said I could take 
    Emetrol, but it is _so_ disgusting that I can't keep it down.  It's 
    really depressing that there seems to be nothing that can be done to 
    relieve the never-ending, all-day and all-night sickness.  I've been 
    sick since my 4th week, and I'm 12 weeks now, so God knows how 
    much longer this will go on.....and how much more I can take of this
    before I consider jumping off a bridge.
    
    If it helps at all, you aren't alone.
    
    -Linette
                                       

    Hang in there Linette! (Having been sick during my pregnancies I
    can well sympathize).
    
    Remember, you've already endured a lot, and time is moving forward.
    Sooner than you think you'll have that wonderful babe in your
    arms!
    
    Monica

In article <[email protected]>, [email protected] (UPI) writes:
	ANAHEIM, Calif. (UPI) -- Sweet lemonade and salty potato chips
normally are not part of a healthy diet, but a researcher finds they can
help relieve pregnant women suffering from ``morning sickness.''
	Dietician Miriam Erick of Brigham & Women's Hospital in Boston told a
meeting of the American Dietetic Association that identifying the kinds
of tastes a woman craves is one way to combat the common side effect of
pregnancy.
	``Sometimes people are shocked that my patients are eating so-called
junk food, but lemonade and potato chips have more folic acid than
ginger ale and saltines,'' Erick said.
	They also make women thirsty so they will drink water, which is
important to end the dehydration that can threaten a fetus, she said.
	Morning sickness is nausea commonly occurring in the first 17 weeks
of pregnancy.
	More than 55,000 women are hospitalized each year for treatment of
it.
    

also mentioned watermelon cubes as another good way to get more water into your
body.

michael

    I have started my munching on chips.....I know I crave the salt and 
    the oil.
    For me, the nausea can be relieved by protein or carbohydrates
    (cheese, peanut butter, etc). 
    I've also discovered a great thing for those of us who might have
    a lot of mucous buildup in the sinuses, throat or chest (big problem
    with all my pregnancies, and the root of the problem when brushing
    my teeth).
    I buy a carton of peppermint certs at Price Club and I have those
    candies with me all the time. I find that they could be a little
    bit hard on the stomach, but when your driving in rush hour and 
    you start gagging and heaving, its like a wonder drug.
    
    Monica

	Interestingly, I noticed I tend to get more headaches and
	general discomfort on the weekends.  The other day, I told my
	husband that I thought it was related to reduce fluid consumption,
	as an ice cold glass of water did as much to alleviate the 
	discomfort as anything else did.  (At work, I have a nice 32 ounce
	glass of water on my desk; on the weekends, I tend to be running
	around, and never drink anything outside of mealtime).

	When we heard the report on the radio this morning, I had to laugh.
	

	Karen

    Actually, a few weeks ago drinking water added horrendously
    to my nausea. When I was thirsty, it had to be CanadaDry Gingerale
    or nothing. But, I am recovering. As an ex-Weight-Watcher and 
    someone who detests the tap water in this region, I will bring a 
    large jug of filtered water to work each day. My goal is to finish
    it before I go home. Hasn't worked lately, but I am getting better.
    But you are right, I will usually forget to drink as much on the 
    weekend!
    
    Monica

The following is being posted for a member of the PARENTING notesfile
community who prefers to remain anonymous at this time.   If you wish
to contact the author by mail, please send your message to me and I will
forward it to the anonymous noter.  Your message will be forwarded with
your name attached unless you request otherwise.

    Carol duBois, PARENTING co-moderator

************************************************************

I'm about 8 weeks pregnant and have as yet to see my ob.  I had a miscarriage 
around this time last year, so I'm feeling pretty paranoid after a spot scare 
last week (and it's taken AGES to get pregnant again). 
I have a 5 year old, but this pregnancy feels completely different to my first.
I feel vile all morning and long for the comfort of my own bathroom and 
something cosy to kneel on, and in the afternoon all I want to do is sleep.
How long is this likely to go on for?  Is there anything I can do/take?

All my various baby books are out on loan with a friend at the moment, and I 
seem to be suffering from the terminal vagues-and-can't remembers.

    If it is any consolation, usually your body adjusts to some of the
    hormonal changes by the end of the firt trimester.  The placenta is in
    a major growth phase right now which according to one of my books can
    accounts tiredness.
    
    Try small meals and not to let your blood sugar get low, it seems that
    low-blood sugar can make the nausea worse.  Get as much rest as you
    can.  Also remember that some nausea means that you are producing the
    right hormones for this pregnancy.
    
    meg

    Anonymous,
    
    I know exactly what you are going through.  I'm currently 10 weeks
    along (hmm, I guess this is my announcement) with my 3rd pregnancy.  I
    find this pregnancy radically different than my 1st.  I miscarried my
    2nd a few months ago.
    
    I'm also terrified of spotting, every time I go to the bathroom I am so
    anxious that I'll see blood.  However, so far so good.  I had an
    ultrasound a few weeks ago and it all looks fine.  I'm trying to stay
    optimistic, but some days it's hard not to worry (although, it's hard
    not worrying when you've never had anything go wrong, either.).  I have
    my 2nd appointment next week and am hoping that we'll get to hear the
    heartbeat.
    
    My first pregnancy, my daughter's 2 1/2, was uneventful.  I had no
    morning sickness, minimal tiredness, I felt pretty good.  With this
    pregnancy I feel sick almost all day long and can't seem to get enough
    sleep.  I can't wait for the second trimester to start.
    
    For the morning sickness, my doctor recommended staying away from dairy
    products and spicy foods, plus not to drink orange juice first thing in
    the am.  He did say to eat starchy foods, I live for baked potatoes and
    to keep my stomach full.  Check with your doctor first, but mine said
    that vitamin B6 has been known to help naseau; take a 1/2 pill in the
    morning with some food and then at night with supper.  I haven't tried
    it yet, but I do keep meaning too 8^).
    
    If you'd like to talk off line, please feel free to send me mail.  It
    can help to talk to someone who's been there.
    
    Good luck to you,
    Susan

    Well, I thought my morning sickness would go away after the first
    trimester but it didn't.  It was about in the 6th month that the nausea
    started to go away, but I felt awful the full 9 months.
    
    The nutritionist said to stay away from "fatty" foods - the fat will
    make the nausea worse.  Of course, I had trouble trying to eat anything
    - it all smelled horrible.  It was important for me to eat very small
    meals about every 3-4 hours.  If I didn't and my blood sugar dropped,
    bit would get very dizzy and feel like fainting.
    
    Yes, they do say that being sick is a good sign that everything is
    going good.
    
    Good luck!
    
    
    

The following is being posted for the author of 530.27.

      Carol duBois, PARENTING Co-moderator
**************************************************************

I did see my GP the morning after I started spotting - he was loathe to do an 
internal as it may have done more harm than good. I rang him the night it 
started, and he came out to see me at home (can I say I love my GP? :^)  )
It was "just" blood - no clotting.

Hospital last year was a nightmare - various interns/nurses, and various 
statements. I _knew_ how much tissue I'd lost, with really heavy clotting. 
A number of doctors/nurses had said that yes, the baby was definitely gone, 
you'll have to have a d&c in the morning.  Then there were others who said 
that no, you'll have an ultrasound in the morning, because the baby might 
_still_ make it.

My ob wasn't available. Neither was his replacement's replacement. The guy who 
eventually was scheduled to do the d&c asked me when I was just outside 
theatre "did you see any white or flesh coloured tissue".  This just before I 
went into theatre.
A nightmare.

I see the ob tomorrow.

The following is being posted for the author of 530.27 and 530.31.

      Carol duBois, PARENTING Co-moderator
**************************************************************

I had a scan done 2 weeks ago (gestational week 9) - the size of the foetus 
was judged at 7 weeks, and there was no heartbeat.  Blood tests still showed 
pregnancy positive (I've been informed that this can be the case even 2 weeks 
after a termination).  

Another scan a few days later - no heartbeat, size of foetus had been reduced.
I had a D&C a few days later, and am now on 2 sets of antibiotics & (optional)
sleeping tablets. 

    Dear Anon,
    
    I am sorry for your loss.
    
    meg

Me too, I wish it hadn't turned out this way for you.

Leslie

    I'm very sorry, too.  
    
    Susan

    I'm looking for anyone's solutions to Nausea!!
    
    I'm about 9 weeks pregnant and for the past two-three weeks I've been
    feeling so Nausious (sp!) from morning till night.  It's terrible!!!!
    I haven't been vomitting (at this point I wish I would!), but just
    feeling terrible.
    
    I've tried the Saltines, Sea-bands, Emetrol, peeled apple, etc, with
    not much luck.
    
    I'm actually feeling somewhat human today with the nausea feeling but
    at least it's almost controllable.
    
    I welcome any thoughts or experiences with this and what you did to
    overcome it.
    
    Thanks in advance,
    
    Sue

    There's an entire note on Morning Sickness - I think it's # 530.
    Try looking in there for some good tips.  One of the things mentioned
    is prenatal vitamins causing nausea.  You might want to check with
    your doctor and maybe see if you can stop for a day or 2 or take 
    them at a different time (always with food).  
    
    I'm 10+ weeks pregnant, and fortunately only had 2 weeks (between
    weeks 6 and 8) where I was nauseous, not sick).  It seems to have
    gone away.  But I did skip taking my vitamins on the days I
    was really feeling sick and it seemed to help.  Once your hormones
    start to level out (or at least your body gets used to the increased
    levels) the nausea "usually" goes away.
    
    Good luck finding a remedy that works!
    
    Julie P.
    
                                          

    Ginger is quite helpful to some people - could be in the form of
    ginger snaps or ginger tea. Or even ginger ale.
    
    What to Expect suggests eating some type of protein before getting
    out of bed in the morning.
    
    With my first pregnancy I got through the first 14-15 weeks eating
    Hersey kisses! 
    
    

    
    my sister found that by taking the pre-natal vitamins before bed
    instead of in the morning took care of her nausea.  you may try
    this a couple of days and see if it makes a difference.
    
    jo

    prenatal vitamins have too much Iron for me.  they ripoped my stomach up
    and the extra Iron triggered migraines.  My solution was regular
    vitamins a few times a week, and making sure I ate extra green leafies
    for calcium and folic acid.
    
    meg

The following is being posted for a member of the PARENTING notesfile
community who prefers to remain anonymous at this time.  If you wish
to contact the author by mail, please send your message to me and I will
forward it to the anonymous noter.  Your message will be forwarded with
your name attached unless you request otherwise.

      Carol duBois, PARENTING Co-moderator

**************************************************************

RE: .36

At 10.5 weeks, I've had morning sickness for 3.5 weeks now. I found "What to
Expect When You're Expecting" useless--they devoted only 3-4 paragraphs to the
topic!  My husband found a paperback book called "No More Morning Sickness" (I
don't remember the author) which was a bit more helpful.

I vomit first thing in the morning, as well as after any period of sleep of 3
hours or more.  My biggest problem is overproduction of stomach acids. Coupled
with post-nasal drip from a lingering cold and excessive saliva production (a
side-effect of the pregnancy), it's a recipe for a permanently upset stomach. 
My body is constantly dumping acid/mucous into my stomach, and it's not happy.
Any food or drink (including water) causes sharp stomach pains.  I've lost 9
pounds so far, since the pain keeps me from eating much.

Tums, Mylanta (liquid and gelcap form) and Maalox provided no relief.  I'm on
Pepcid AC right now, with my OB's approval, which is a blessing in that it
dulls the sharp stomach pains. 

My coping mechanisms: (your milage will vary considerably)

- napping/sleeping on my right side, to help all the acid in my stomach 
  empty out.  I was very surprised, but this really helps.

- No fats, red meat, seafood, eggs, or milk protein (cheese, butter, yogurt,
  ice cream) in any form.  No acidic foods (tomato sauce, orange juice) or
  or spicy foods.

- Nearly flat ginger ale.  Caffeine-free Pepsi or Coke ended up being too
  "acidic", and 7up just made me vomit.

- No prenatal vitamins, except for folic acid, which I take with a meal.  My
  OB says folic acid alone won't upset your stomach, and I've found her to be
  right.

- I eat something every 4 hours, but don't eat any more frequently than
  that--otherwise, my stomach acid production increases, which I don't need.
  I also keep my portions very small.

- Bland carbohydrates.  Saltines (the saltiest I can find), dry Cheerios, dry
  toast, dry toasted plain bagels, plain noodles boiled in salt water.  

- Chicken/turkey is my only protein right now, and I tolerate it best when it's 
  highly processed (deli meat, for example).  Processing makes it blander, I
  think (less nutritious as well, but that's not something I can worry about
  at this point).

- I don't cook, period.  My husband forages for himself.

Following all these rules makes my life a bit more bearable, but it's certainly
far from pleasant.  I long for the day when food smells good, tastes good, and
doesn't cause me pain.  Everybody tells me, "Well, it's only the first
trimester or so..".  But time seems to stand still when you're miserable 24
hours/day.  3-5 more weeks of this feels like a life sentence...

Signed,

Nobody ever warned me it could be like this!

    
    Nuts (almonds worked the best), popcorn, brown rice and beans worked
    pretty well for me.  Also I found that I felt better if I ate something
    every 2 hours or so, rather than waiting till I was hungry.
    
    good luck, I'm sure glad that stage is over for me since nothing really
    made the feeling go away.
    
    

    I also found that I had to keep something in my stomach pretty much all
    of the time.  Anything that was bread and could absorb the stomach
    juices worked best for me.  If I ever let my stomach get empty, the
    acids would kill me.  I lived on Saltines, sunflower seeds, lorna doone
    cookies, etc. for about 2-3 months.  
    
    Good luck!
    
    Irene
    

    
    	I don't have morning sickness but I seem to have food aversions
    	to almost everything!  With Lauren, I only had food aversions
    	to pizza but this time, I have food aversions to lots of stuff
    	and NOT to pizza!
    
    	I don't feel sick or nauseous, I just approach most food like,
    	"yuk... this is not something I want to eat".  Thanksgiving
    	was gross, except for the potatoes and the olives.  I made 
        turkey soup and it was gross.  Chicken does not appeal to me 
        and I usually eat that 2-3 times per week.  I don't like most
        vegetables now, except in salads.  I used to love brocolli and
        can't stand it now! 
    
        About the only things I like are things that are bad for me
        like sweets and fattening foods.  I do like spicy things and
    	also bland starches with butter (like minute rice or bread).
    
    	This is really wierd for me.... my husband has refered to 
    	my eating habits and "some people eat to live but Karen lives
    	to eat".  Well, this is not true!  My love affair with food
    	is over and I'm kind of bummed about this!
    
    	I understand cravings (where your body needs a particular food
    	group) but what causes food aversions?  When will this end?
    
    	I'm almost 12 weeks along now, FWIW.  This food aversion thing
    	has been for over a month.  I'm hungry all the time too, something
    	I don't remember from my pregnancy with Lauren.
    
    	Karen

Most people say to drink mostly flat soda.  I found that the bubbles
made me burp and that helped a lot.

Lori

the author of this note wishes to remain anonymous at this time.  the usual
niceties around anonymous mail to the author apply.

meg

********************************************
I'm currently 5.5 weeks pregnant and going for my first pre-natal exam 
in 2 weeks.  I had a miscarriage at 8.5 weeks last year.  This time 
(unlike last time) I have morning (all day) sickness and pimples in 
addition to being very tired.  Old Wives tales say that if you get 
sick, its a sign of a healthy baby/pregnancy.  Anyone want to comment on 
that?  In my previous pregnancy, I was tired, but not at all sick or zitty.

I beleive they do an ultrasound early in the preg to establish a due 
date, and I'm going to request one when I go for my exam.  I know I'll 
feel better if I can see a heartbeat and am told that everything looks 
ok.

Anyway, comments would be much appreciated

Thanks

When I complained about the sickness my Dr. did say that was one of the 
signs of a healthy pregnancy.  I was very nausious and tired until about
10 weeks - then the actual throwing up started.  I'm about 16 week now, still
getting sick every few days and have terrible headaches often.  On the plus
side - I can now stay awake for more than 8 hours in a day.

My sister in law had a lot of skin problems with her pregnancy.  I would
use that as an excuse to have a relaxing facial...

I hope things go well for you and that your Dr. is reassuring about the
stress on your body being a sign of a good pregnancy.

-laura

    Laura, and anon,
    
    try smaller meals closer together.  Low blood sugar can set off
    morning, noon and evening sickness.  I found that if I didn't eat
    within a 30 minute window of two hours, I would lose my apetite and
    start getting the urps.  
    
    Laura, if you are getting really awful headaches, talk to your Dr, and
    also try going of the prenatal vits.  The amount of iron or the dyes
    in prenatal vitamins trigger major migraines for me, the kind that
    start feeling like a stroke.  (no fun)  I thought it was just me, but
    my midwife had the same problems and many of her clients have also.  
    
    meg

    >This time  (unlike last time) I have morning (all day) sickness and
    >pimples in  addition to being very tired.  Old Wives tales say that if
    >you get  sick, its a sign of a healthy baby/pregnancy.  
    
     My wife's obstetrician said that this nausea is a sign of hormonal
    activity, which is the sign of a healthy pregnancy. Obviously, a
    generalization, but take heart!

    Just for the record, I had two healthy pregnancies and no nausea with
    either of them!  The only thing that made me feel nauseous was taking
    the pre-natal vitamin first thing in the morning (on an empty stomach). 
    I did, however, experience problems with my skin and my gums (a sign 
    of hormonal activity).
    
    Best of luck to you!
    
    /Karen

    I saw a PBS special (don't remember what it was about) that along the
    way investigated morning sickness in light of its value as a survival
    mechanism (as in, why do women develop morning sickness - nature has a
    reason for everything).
    
    Although I don't think there was a definitive answer, one hypothesis
    that seemed to bear out well was that it is a mechanism to prevent the
    mother from ingesting poisonous substances.  
    
    The example they sited was broccoli.  Turns out that broccoli actually
    has certain toxins in it.  They won't affect a full-grown adult, or
    even a well-developed child, but these materials are released into the
    blood stream before the liver gets to dispose of them.  Their finding
    was that broccoli had a statistically significant chance of causing
    morning sickness (the morning after, I believe).
    
    The indication was that if the mother starts eating toxic materials,
    she will get nauseous and have to stop (more quickly than a man, since
    shes at a higher level of sensitivity).  Presumably she would
    eventually start trying other foods till she got one that was more
    acceptable.  
    
    Their point was that just about anything could serve as a contributing
    factor to morning sickness, depending on how the substance behaves in
    your body.  Lots of things create toxins, not the least of which is
    high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) which is the primary sweetner in just
    about everything we eat, including juice.
    
    The notion that morning sickness means a healthy pregnancy is
    predicated on the idea that the woman's body is actively reacting to
    the environment, protecting the unborn child.  Of course, since we
    don't have to worry too much about things like poison berries, etc. in
    our diets, for the most part this defense mechanism is simply an
    overreaction, rather than a healthy response.
    
    Its not proven, but I thought it was interesting.  Perhaps a change in
    diet might help a bit.
    
    jeb
    

>    The example they sited was broccoli.  Turns out that broccoli actually
>    has certain toxins in it.  They won't affect a full-grown adult, or
>    even a well-developed child, but these materials are released into the
>    blood stream before the liver gets to dispose of them.  

    How about asparagas?  My body is definitely disposing SOMETHING
    the next day.
    bob

    
    I was told the nausea was caused by the hormone progesterone.  I had
    years of infertility and one of my problems was not producing enough
    progesterone so when I did get pregnant I was dying for nausea. I never
    did vomit, and was only mildly nauseous the first 4 months...but
    apparently enough for one little babe to make it.
    
    Progesterone is very important the first 10-12 weeks until the
    umbiblical cord kicks in. The fetus cannot survive without it. 
    
    

    >I was told the nausea was caused by the hormone progesterone.
    
    My interpretation of the PBS article is that the change in various
    hormone levels, of which increased progestrone is one, trigger
    the increased sensitivity, most likely to things that you had no
    sensitivity to whatsoever before pregnancy.
    
    After all, birth control pills contain progesterone, and they rarely
    cause nausea in and of themselves (though the level in contraceptives
    may not be as high as during pregnancy).
    
    But I'm no doctor.
    
    jeb
    
    
    From an article on the web:
    
    ( http://www.campuslife.utoronto.ca/services/sec/pill.html )
    
    "The estrogen component of [oral contraceptives] prevents the release of
    an ovum (see FEMALE PHYSIOLOGY section). The progesterone makes the
    consistency of the cervical mucus very thick. Thick mucus makes it more
    difficult for sperm to penetrate and reach the uterus. Progesterone
    also makes the endometrium (lining of the uterus) unfavourable for
    implantation. Combination pills benefit from all three actions, whereas
    progesterone-only pills exert their effect only by the latter two
    mechanisms."

    Anyone who ever thought the pill didn't cause all-day sickness never
    had my system.  it was documented well enough that the clinic I went to
    while attempting the pill, recommended taking it at night to avoid the
    sudden upsets in the morning.
    
    meg

    >But I'm no doctor.
    
    I also don't take birth control pills (obviously).  I had no idea that
    birth control pills caused nausea.  On the other hand, the only people
    I know well enough to to have gotten such information from could not
    take BCPs because they were migraine sufferers, and the pills caused
    the headaches to be more frequent and severe.
    
    Nausea, headaches; whose came up with this great product?
    
    jeb