Experiencing nausea or vomiting in early pregnancy? You’re not alone. About 70% of pregnant women deal with some form of morning sickness, and it can seriously affect their quality of life for weeks to months.
It’s normal to wonder why you’re experiencing morning sickness when some women don’t, and you even ask yourself: Could my partner’s health have anything to do with this? It's a fair question, and one that researchers have started to explore more closely.
While the direct cause of morning sickness isn’t fully understood, emerging science suggests your partner’s health, especially their genetics and immune system, might play a small role. Even so, there are many other factors that influence how you experience pregnancy symptoms, and there’s plenty you can do to manage them effectively.
At OB-GYN Associates of Marietta, we specialize in prenatal care in Marietta and Woodstock, Georgia. We’re here to help you better understand why you’re dealing with morning sickness and how to get some much-needed relief.
Morning sickness refers to the nausea and vomiting that many people experience during the first trimester of pregnancy. Despite the name, it can occur at any time of day. It’s typically triggered by hormonal changes, particularly rising levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and estrogen.
For most women, morning sickness symptoms go away by weeks 12-14. However, symptoms can sometimes be more severe than usual or persist for a longer period.
Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is a more extreme form of morning sickness that causes persistent vomiting, dehydration, weight loss, and nutritional deficiencies. HG usually requires medical monitoring and treatment, and in rare cases, hospitalization.
Although it might sound far-fetched, some research has suggested that your partner's genetics and immune system may influence how your body responds to pregnancy.
For example, certain paternal genes may affect how your placenta develops, which in turn can influence hCG levels. Additionally, some immune system differences between partners may contribute to how your body reacts to the pregnancy, potentially affecting symptoms like nausea.
However, this connection is still being studied and likely plays a small role compared with hormonal changes, your own health history, and whether you’ve experienced nausea in past pregnancies. So while your partner's health might have some influence, it’s not the main cause of morning sickness.
Whether your symptoms are mild or more intense, there are several strategies you can try to help ease nausea in early pregnancy.
We often recommend eating smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day instead of three larger ones. Keep plain foods, like crackers or dry toast, on hand for times when your symptoms are more severe.
It’s important to stay hydrated even when you’re feeling nauseous, so try sipping on water, electrolyte drinks, or ginger tea. Avoid strong smells and foods that trigger nausea as much as you can, and consider trying vitamin B6 or ginger supplements with your doctor’s approval.
If these adjustments don’t relieve your symptoms — or if you can’t keep food or fluids down at all — it’s time to talk to your OB/GYN.
If your morning sickness is interfering with your ability to eat, drink, or function normally, don’t wait. Our team provides experienced prenatal care and can recommend various strategies to help manage your symptoms. We can prescribe anti-nausea medications as needed, assess for hyperemesis gravidarum, and take steps to make sure you and your baby stay healthy and hydrated.
At OB-GYN Associates of Marietta, we’re here to support you through every trimester, morning sickness and all. No matter the severity of your symptoms, we can help you feel more comfortable and confident as your pregnancy progresses. Contact us to get started.
