When you find out you’re pregnant with twins, you will feel exaggerated pregnancy symptoms. Two babies mean a double dose of everything. Just ask any mom who has had twins already.
The substantial hormonal changes your body goes through when expecting twins pretty much explains why is morning sickness worse with twins. Although this is a natural occurrence, there are remedies to make things easier and more bearable.
Why is morning sickness worse with twins?
The elevated levels of the hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in the mother’s blood may be one of the reasons why morning sickness is worse in twins. It is usually during the first trimester that such nausea and vomiting is highly experienced.
When an egg is fertilized and gets attached to the uterine lining, the body produces hCG. The hormone is made by certain cells formed in the placenta that nourishes the egg after fertilization.
Aside from hCG, another reason that can explain severe morning sickness is that there is an increase in the level of estrogen when a mother is pregnant.
Estrogen is produced by the ovaries and then later on by the placenta which helps the uterus grow and maintain the uterine lining. It also responsible for activating and regulating the process of producing other key hormones.
Hyperemesis Gravidarum: Extreme Morning Sickness
If a mother is suffering from severe vomiting, nausea, weight loss, and electrolyte disturbance, then she may be suffering from what is called Hyperemesis Gravidarum.
Some cases can be treated with some dietary changes, antacids and plenty of rest. But then, in extreme cases, mothers may be required to stay in the hospital to get the proper nourishment through an IV. Taking medication is definitely not an option to fix this kind of thing.
To know if what you are experiencing is Hyperemesis Gravidarum, you may find his table very helpful:
Morning Sickness | Hyperemesis Gravidarum |
Nausea with occasional vomiting | Nausea with severe vomiting |
Nausea that gets better at 12 weeks or sooner | Nausea that does not subside |
Vomiting that does not cause severe dehydration | Vomiting causing severe dehydration |
Vomiting that still allows you to eat and keep some food down | Vomiting that does not allow you to eat anything at all nor keep food down |
Other symptoms of HG include weight loss of 5% or more as compared to pre-pregnancy weight, decrease in urination, headaches, confusing, fainting, jaundice, extreme fatigue, a rapid heart rate, low blood pressure, loss of skin elasticity, and depression.
How to Treat Hyperemesis Gravidarum
There are a number of ways to treat this condition. One is by the use of Intravenous fluids to fully restore a mother’s hydration, electrolyte levels, and also give the essential vitamins and nutrients. Another way is by tube feeding either through the nose into the stomach (Nasogastric), or through the abdomen into the stomach (Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy).
The use of medications like antihistamines, metoclopramide, and anti-reflux medications can also alleviate this condition.
Other ways that can help are:
- Complete bed rest. Just be sure to know that too much bed rest may cause weight and muscle loss.
- Acupressure. The pressure point that reduces nausea is found in the middle of the inner wrist. Specifically, it is three finger lengths away from the crease of the wrist, in between two tendons. Once located, firmly press this area for three minutes. Do this one wrist at a time. You can also purchase sea bands from any drug store that help with acupressure.
- Herbal remedies like ginger or peppermint. Ginger has been known to relieve nausea and vomiting while peppermint is helpful in relieving morning sickness and flatulence.
- Homeopathic remedies can also be used. These are a non-toxic system of medication. But be sure to have your health professional prescribe the proper remedy and dose. It is a big no-no to self-medicate when it comes to homeopathic remedies.
Even though we know that nausea and vomiting happen in the first trimester until the second trimester, going through the seemingly endless “Is morning sickness worse with twins?” phase is not an easy thing at all.
Any mom going through this will need all the care and encouragement to keep on. It is also important to keep in touch with your health professional to be sure that you’re well taken care of.