As uncomfortable as it is for the expectant mother, morning sickness may be nature's way of ensuring that the developing fetus gets the proper nutrition. The nausea and vomiting so many women experience during the first months of pregnancy may, paradoxically, nourish their babies by keeping certain hormone levels in check. Researcher found that women with morning sickness are less likely to suffer miscarriages or have premature or low birth weight babies.

Several studies have shown that women with no morning sickness symptoms have higher rates of miscarriage and underweight babies. Still other research has suggested that women who eat high amounts of carbohydrates early in pregnancy may have infants with lower birth weights. The early calorie-restriction forced by morning sickness may ensure that mothers-to-be channel energy to the developing placenta.

Animal research has revealed that there is greater insulin production during early pregnancy. Insulin, which regulates blood sugar, is released in response to food intake. Elevated levels of insulin and insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-1) boost the mother's metabolism of fat, at the expense of the developing fetus. By keeping food intake in check, morning sickness controls these hormonal levels and helps ensure that the fetus receives enough nutrients.

One reason morning sickness goes away after the first trimester may be that IGF-1 becomes key to the fetus' growth later in pregnancy. So, the suppression of IGF-1 and insulin is no longer a benefit. Women who are underweight before pregnancy, she adds, may be less likely to experience morning sickness because they need to accumulate fat. Normal-weight women, on the other hand, typically have enough body fat to make up for the nausea.

Obstetrics and Gynecology May 2000;95:779-782

Dr. Mercola's Comments:

As any woman who has had morning sickness knows, it is not fun. However, it is encouraging to know that it is an indication that the child is healthy. It appears from this research that a good proactive preventive solution would be to restrict grains and sugars if one is above their ideal body weight. This will change insulin levels which seem to be precipitating much of the problem. If one does develop morning sickness, there are some solutions. Many years ago there was a drug on the market called Bendectin that was a simple antihistamine with vitamin B6. However, the company had so many unfounded law suites that it was forced to defend due to mothers having defective babies for other reasons that they could not justify keeping the product on the market. To the best of my knowledge none of the suits were successful, but the cost to defend against them was prohibitive. Fortunately, one can purchase a product called Unisom at any drug store and take it with vitamin B6 (50 mg) and it seems to work well for most women with morning sickness.