Why sickness is a good sign for pregnancy

MORNING sickness is the sign of a healthy pregnancy, scientists have concluded.

A review of recent research has found that a hormone called endokinin is crucial for the successful implantation of the placenta.

The hormone improves blood flow but it can also act on the brain to induce nausea and vomiting, the University of Reading found.

This meant morning sickness in the first few weeks or months or pregnancy indicated hormones were flowing freely and things were running smoothly, the researchers said.

Around eight in 10 women suffer “morning sickness” during their pregnancy, yet most do not have symptoms in the morning, but throughout the day. It mostly disappears around week 14, by which point the placenta is fully developed.

The experts also found that smoking can block the hormone release, which could hinder placental development.

Professor Philip Lowry said: “There may be a temptation to use endokininblocking drugs to treat morning sickness during pregnancy, but these findings suggest that such drugs could affect the health of the pregnancy and must be avoided.”

He concludes, “I hope that this article will give some psychological relief to pregnant women suffering from morning sickness, but will also persuade smokers who are intending to have a baby to kick the habit well beforehand.”

The review was published in the Journal of Molecular Endocrinology.

‘The findings suggest such drugs could affect the health of the pregnancy and must be avoided’