While your babe isn't exactly causing you to show yet, chances are your clothes are feeling a little tight around the tummy. That's because your uterus, usually the size of a fist, has grown to the size of a large grapefruit by week 8 of pregnancy.
Admittedly, that's still pretty small. But while it's unlikely you look pregnant from the outside, you almost certainly feel pregnant on the inside, especially when those insides threaten to come out all day long.
Yes, it's that notorious pregnancy rite of passage: morning sickness — though the name can be misleading. If you're among the estimated 75% of pregnant women who have morning sickness, you know all too well that it may start in the morning — but it can linger all day and all night.
No one knows for sure what causes that queasy feeling — and does it really matter when you're about to toss your cookies for the third time today? — though theories abound. It could be because of the increased levels of hCG and estrogen circulating in your body or the relaxation of the muscles in the digestive tract, making digestion less efficient. It could also be due to rising progesterone levels or the rapid stretching of the uterine muscles.
Whatever the cause, take heart — your baby feels just fine, even while you're hugging the bowl. Try to eat often but only a little at a time, which should also help your body battle another symptom that may be coming your way soon: heartburn.
If you're really struggling with morning sickness — say, you've lost at least 5 pounds or can't keep anything down for more than eight hours — ask your doctor whether you should take a pregnancy anti-nausea drug like Zofran or Diclegis.
The good news, however, is that nausea and vomiting usually subside between weeks 12 and 14, so hang in there — only four to six more weeks until you get some relief!
The Happy Mom app is with you every step of the way on your pregnancy journey.
Thank you for reading.
