You probably thought your morning sickness was over after your first trimester, but the dreadful days of nausea and vomiting can make an unfortunate comeback. In online forums across the web, dozens of pregnant women in their second or third trimester share their experiences with nausea all over again, asking: WHY IS MY MORNING SICKNESS BACK?!
We totally get what you’re going through; pregnancy can be challenging on both your body and mind, especially if you just can’t shake pregnancy nausea and vomiting—it can definitely feel miserable at times! We’re here for you at RMC, and that’s why we have the answers you need today; keep reading to learn more!
Are Nausea and Vomiting Considered “Morning Sickness” in the Second Trimester?
It’s possible for the “morning sickness” you might have experienced in the first couple of weeks of pregnancy to occur in your second or third trimester. You probably are well aware that these waves of nausea and vomiting aren’t just a morning thing, and just as they can hit you at any time of day, it’s totally normal if it comes back after a short break or stays throughout your pregnancy.
Which Weeks Am I Supposed to Have Morning Sickness?
As we’ve mentioned, a pregnant woman can have morning sickness at any time during pregnancy, as her hormone levels will fluctuate throughout. Levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) hormone are known to directly cause nausea and vomiting, especially as they begin to rise during the first trimester.
Another pregnancy hormone—Relaxin—can contribute to morning sickness, as it relaxes the smooth muscle of the uterus and much of the lower abdominal cavity. The pressure caused by your expanding, relaxed uterus can lead to abdominal discomfort and indigestion, common symptoms of morning sickness.
Tracking pregnancy symptoms through each trimester will probably yield some unpredictable results, but you’re more likely to experience morning sickness later in pregnancy if you’ve already been pregnant with intense morning sickness before or if you’re prone to migraines, dizziness, and motion sickness nausea even when you aren’t pregnant.
What’s Happening with My Body at 22 Weeks of Pregnancy?
At week 22, a pregnant woman is in the 10th week of her second trimester. Although morning sickness tends to pass in the first trimester, weeks 21, 22, and 23 are common points in which many women find their morning sickness returning. But what should your body feel like in the second chapter of pregnancy, and what should it look like?
Second Trimester Pregnancy Symptoms
Common symptoms in the second trimester of pregnancy include:
- Extreme tiredness and fatigue;
- Insomnia;
- Restless leg syndrome (also known as “Jimmy Legs” and other nicknames for leg cramping);
- Piles (or hemorrhoids) near your bottom;
- Irritated, or swollen, gums and tissue in your mouth;
- Swelling in your hands or feet;
- Increased hair growth and shine;
- Back pain;
- Body temperature fluctuations;
- Brown patches on your face or body, known as chloasma.
Other common factors of body changes during pregnancy include your appetite and your skin’s appearance.
Appetite
While expecting a baby, many women experience changes in their appetite. While some pregnant women have an increased appetite following their first trimester’s morning sickness, others are unlucky enough to have their pregnancy nausea and vomiting stick around and even feel like they have food poisoning; the last thing they want to do is eat.
As we’ve covered on our blog in the past, cravings and aversions to certain foods are quite common during pregnancy. Even if you have an extremely low appetite, try to eat and drink little and often because having an empty stomach can make your morning sickness worse.
Stretch marks
Stretch marks, darkly colored and pronounced veins, and other changes in your skin are common symptoms of pregnancy that you’re sure to see once you’re at the 22-week mark. Your skin stretches out plenty while you’re pregnant; as your uterus expands, you gain weight, and your baby grows inside.
These stretch marks can pop up as red or purple streaks on your breasts, belly, and other places where rapid growth stretches the skin at a speedy rate. After a while, stretch marks tend to turn a white-ish silver that mostly blends into your natural skin tone. Different methods of skincare—applying cocoa butter lotion formulated for pregnant bellies, for example—can help to reduce the appearance of stretch marks for many women.
Does Late Morning Sickness Affect My Baby’s Growth or Health?
Morning sickness tends to have no effect on your baby’s growth, weight, size, or development, and late-term morning sickness is no different. Unless you have abnormally severe vomiting or other symptoms in need of medical attention, your baby should be just fine!
Let’s take a look at how your baby is doing at 22 weeks, shall we?
Baby Growth at 22 Weeks
At 22 weeks of pregnancy, your baby is the size of a papaya fruit at around ten inches long! He or she now weighs about one pound, which you might be feeling as they flutter around a bit and your tummy gets a little heavier. Your baby is still in an upright position at this stage of pregnancy.
Your little one now has tiny lungs and is developing little taste buds! Some say that your baby will like the foods you eat during pregnancy, so if you are enjoying certain foods while you’re expecting, your baby might prefer them once they’re old enough to enjoy solid food.
You also can ask your OB/GYN about determining the sex of your baby at this point through ultrasound. Some women believe that severe morning sickness is a sign that your baby’s a girl, but it’s better to let sonography help you to determine that.
When to Contact Your Doctor About Nausea and Severe Vomiting
If your nausea and vomiting have you feeling like you can’t keep down any food or drink, or you have blood in your vomit, it’s definitely time to call your doctor, as you might be experiencing hyperemesis gravidarum.
Hyperemesis Gravidarum
Hyperemesis Gravidarum is a pregnancy condition that is characterized by severe nausea and vomiting, leading to extreme dehydration and thirstiness, excessive weight loss, and a decrease in essential electrolyte levels. You do not need to be losing weight during pregnancy, as your body needs the weight to support your own health and the development of your growing baby.
It’s one thing to have morning sickness while still maintaining a proper pregnancy-friendly diet and drinking enough fluids, but if you can’t even do that, you need to talk to your usual doctor or obstetrician as soon as possible.
Other Symptoms to Watch out for
Aside from nausea and symptoms pointing to any particular condition, you also need to watch out for:
- An excess of fluid expelling from your vagina (could be your water breaking too early!);
- Incessant migraines or headaches;
- Vaginal bleeding or spotting (especially after the first trimester);
- Blurry vision;
- Edema (also known as pregnancy swelling) in your hands, feet, legs, or ankles.
If any of these signs and symptoms occur during your pregnancy, try to see a doctor immediately.
Relief for Severe Morning Sickness After the First Trimester
Now that you know the ins and outs of late-term morning sickness, you’re ready to feel some relief!
Even if you have a hard time making yourself look at certain foods, eating foods that are light on the stomach can greatly improve your pregnancy nausea. So long as you avoid an empty stomach, little bland snacks like toast or crackers between mealtimes or throughout the day can ease your tummy.
Other than that, the best thing to do is drink plenty of fluids and get some good ole’ rest and relaxation!
Quality Maternity and Women’s Health Care
At RMC in Anniston, Alabama, our maternal medical care team is committed to patient safety, comfort, and guiding new parents through one of the happiest moments in life; we’re here to support you in this time—get in touch today to ask questions or make an appointment!