Morning sickness is a usual side effect of pregnancy, which usually occurs, in the first trimester.
However, some women do suffer from nausea later in their pregnancy and it can be a cause for concern.
Nausea late in pregnancy can be a result of a number of things, namely changes in the body such as stomach and gastrointestinal muscles relaxing and pressure on the stomach from the growing weight of the baby in the uterus. This can result in some foods (oily, acidic or spicy foods) becoming difficult to digest, causing nausea and reflux.
So, can morning sickness come back?
Morning sickness in the 3rd trimester typically feels the same as that in the first trimester however it is often more traumatising when it returns – often around week 27 or 28 – as the woman thought that stage of their pregnancy were over.
There are some more sinister causes of third trimester nausea such as pre-eclampsia, which can be a huge cause for concern.
Dr Elizabeth Farrell, Medical Director and gynaecologist at Jean Hailes for Women’s Health speaks to New Idea about morning sickness in third trimester and answers all your questions.
Here is what to expect with third trimester nausea.
What does morning sickness feel like?
Symptoms of morning sickness
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
- Vomit
- Psychological effects, such as depression and anxiety
What causes morning sickness?
Dr Farrell: Morning sickness is probably due to increasing hormone levels, fluctuation in blood pressure (especially low blood pressure) and lots of changes in the body triggered by pregnancy because the body’s metabolism has to change.
How long can it go on for?
Dr Farrell: By about 12 to 14 weeks morning sickness will settle, but about 20% of women can have it into the second trimester and some can have it throughout.
Why does nausea occur late in pregnancy and is it normal?
Dr Farrell: It’s not normal for morning sickness to start late in pregnancy, so nausea usually means something else is happening. It can be due to things like reflux or pre-eclampsia or some other impending condition.
When should I seek extra medical advice?
Dr Farrell: If you’re feeling unwell and it’s late in the pregnancy women should be having regular checks up anyway but they should always contact their doctor if they’re unsure or worried.
Does advice differ depending on how many weeks pregnant you are in your third trimester?
Dr Farrell: If a pregnant woman is worried she should always call her doctor.
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