Morning sickness, a common pregnancy symptom affecting up to 80% of pregnant women, can be challenging to manage. Morning sickness is characterized by feelings of throwing up or vomiting. Despite the name, this can occur at any time of the day during pregnancy. It is especially worse during the first 3 months of pregnancy (also known as the second trimester). For some women, it can last throughout pregnancy.
As a partner, your support and understanding can make a significant difference in helping your loved one cope. There are many ways you can do this. Read through this article to find ten essential tips for supporting your partner through morning sickness, backed by scientific research
Educate Yourself
Understanding the physiological basis of morning sickness can help you empathize with your partner. Research suggests that morning sickness may be caused by hormonal changes, particularly elevated levels of estrogen and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) during early pregnancy (Fejzo, 2018).
Be Patient and Understanding
Suzuki et al, in a 2017 study, indicates that morning sickness can have a profound impact on a woman’s quality of life, leading to feelings of frustration and helplessness. When she displays these undesirable behaviors, you can easily to put the blame where it belongs: The Pregnancy Hormones! So being patient and empathetic can help alleviate these negative feelings. Understanding that your pregnant mate is not intentionally trying to hurt your feeling or frustrate you is key to your own happiness because she’ll be happy when she believes that you understand her. This will in turn contribute to more peaceful home. You are also able to look beyond her irritability or frustration and remain calm and patient. So next time your pregnant lady complains that you talk too loud, you know what’s talking!
Offer Practical Support
Practical support, such as helping with household chores and childcare responsibilities, can reduce the burden on your partner. Studies show that practical support from partners can improve maternal mental health during pregnancy. it also contributes to the physical wellbeing of the pregnant woman because is reduces stress and affords her the opportunity to take time off and relax. It is especially important that you take up roles that involves strenuous physical action as it can harm the woman and baby especially when she is well along into the pregnancy
Encourage Small, Frequent Meals
Eating small, frequent meals throughout the day can help manage nausea and vomiting. Research suggests that this eating pattern can help stabilize blood sugar levels, reducing the likelihood of nausea (Sherman et al., 2015). To support your partner to eat small, frequent meals, you may adjust your own eating habit to motivate her to do so. If she is happy with it, you could plan these small, frequent meals with her and nicely follow up to ensure that she implements it successfully.
As stated above, pregnancy can make women irritable due to surging pregnancy hormones. So ensure that she is totally Okay with your plans. Do not force your way nor impose your meal plan on her. It must be her choice and on her terms too. You do not want to add to her irritation
Stay Hydrated
Dehydration can exacerbate nausea and vomiting. Taking the recommended amount of water (10 8 ounce of water and other beverages per day according to the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology) during pregnancy holds many health benefits apart from rehydrating the body. It aids digestion and contributes to the formation of ammonitic fluids that supports the baby in the womb. It also helps nutrients to circulate in the body and aids the elimination of waste our of the body.
In view of the many benefit of drinking enough water during pregnancy to the baby and your partner, to it upon yourself to encourage your her to drink plenty of fluids, such as water, herbal teas, and electrolyte-rich beverages, to stay hydrated and derive its many other benefits. One important way you can motivate her to drink more fluids by taking more fluids with her.
Create a Safe and Comfortable Environment
Strong odors, bright lights, and loud noises can trigger nausea. Creating a calm and soothing environment at home can help alleviate these triggers. This might mean forgoing your favorite deodorants and perfumes. Avoid smoking tobacco and other harmful substances as these can have damaging consequences on your partner’s pregnancy and the unborn baby. According to the World Health Organization, exposure to second hand smoke during pregnancy is linked to a 23% increased risk of stillbirth and 13% increased risk of congenital malformation. You absolutely don’t want these outcomes for your partner or unborn baby, so if you are a smoker, this may be the right time to consider quitting.
Drug and alcohol use when your partner is pregnant can also affect your mood and behavior. You might be irritable or prone to anger leading to unsafe actions such as domestic violence that might endanger the lives of your partner and unborn baby. Therefore, do all you can to make the environment as safe and comfortable as possible
Offer Emotional Support
Pregnancy can be a challenging time emotionally. Pregnant women who lack emotional support often suffer from depression, anxiety and increased stress that can cause health problems during pregnancy and even lead to undesirable outcome. Studies suggest that emotional support from partners can reduce stress and anxiety in pregnant women (Da Costa et al., 2010). Women who receive adequate emotional support during pregnancy have less complication during pregnancy and give birth to healthier babies.
Be there to listen to your partner and provide reassurance. This might mean readjusting your activities to make yourself more available and accessible when she needs you. Think of what you can do to make this possible, such as working from home some days, taking lesser shifts, reducing the time you spend on your devices and social media, being present during hospital visits, etc.
Accompany Her to Prenatal Appointments
This is one important way to provide valuable support during pregnancy especially in the first trimester when morning sickness is at its peak. Attending prenatal appointments with your partner can strengthen your bond and show your commitment to her and the baby’s health. It also allows you to stay informed about her condition and any potential complications
Seek Professional Help if Needed
If your partner’s morning sickness is severe and affecting her ability to eat or drink, it’s essential to seek medical advice. Severe morning sickness, known as hyperemesis gravidarum, may require medical intervention to prevent dehydration and malnutrition
In all, supporting your partner through morning sickness requires understanding, patience, and practical assistance. By educating yourself about morning sickness, offering emotional support, and encouraging healthy habits, you can help your partner navigate this challenging but temporary phase of pregnancy.
References
Fejzo, M. S. (2018). “Understanding hyperemesis gravidarum: the evolving view and implications for management”. BMC Medicine, 16(1), 1-9.
Suzuki, S., Miyake, H., & Miyamoto, T. (2017). “Factors influencing the quality of life of pregnant women with hyperemesis gravidarum: a cross-sectional study”. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 17(1), 1-8.
Sherman, P. W., Flaxman, S. M., & Holland, B. (2015). “The evolution of nausea and vomiting as a defence against pathogens”. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 370(1666), 1-8.
Da Costa, D., Larouche, J., Dritsa, M., & Brender, W. (2010). “Psychosocial correlates of prepartum and postpartum depressed mood”. Journal of Affective Disorders, 115(1-2), 216-226.
