Morning Sickness and Your Child’s IQ: A Surprising Connection
Morning sickness, an all-too-familiar pregnancy symptom, can be a challenging and uncomfortable experience for expectant mothers. The worry about providing adequate nutrients to the growing baby while struggling to keep food down can be overwhelming. However, recent research has uncovered a surprising link between morning sickness and the future intelligence of your child, which may offer some solace during those difficult moments leaning over the toilet bowl.
What is Morning Sickness Specifically?
Understanding Morning Sickness Morning sickness, despite its name, can occur at any time of the day and is often one of the first signs of pregnancy. It typically subsides around 14-16 weeks, but some fortunate women may not experience it at all. Paradoxically, morning sickness is considered a positive sign of a healthy pregnancy as it indicates elevated hormone levels necessary for sustaining the pregnancy.
The Study on Morning Sickness
The Science Behind Morning Sickness Studies have previously indicated that pregnancy sickness may correlate with a lower rate of miscarriages and other pregnancy complications. Building on this knowledge, researchers at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Canada, delved into the potential effects of pregnancy sickness on the development of babies’ brains, including aspects like intelligence, behavior, memory, and attention. They studied the children of 92 Canadian mothers who experienced nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, and 29 who did not.
An IQ Advantage?
The Surprising Findings Contrary to what one might expect, the children of mothers who suffered from pregnancy sickness showed a remarkable advantage. Researchers discovered that pregnancy sickness had an enhancing effect on later child outcomes.
The children whose mothers experienced morning sickness had higher IQs and scored better on memory and language skill tests. It’s essential to note that all children in the study scored within the normal range of IQs. Additionally, the researchers observed a potential correlation between the severity of morning sickness and intelligence.
It’s ok to get support if you have Morning Sickness
The Importance of Seeking Medical Help While morning sickness is generally considered a positive sign during pregnancy, it’s crucial to differentiate between typical morning sickness and hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe type of pregnancy sickness. Hyperemesis gravidarum involves frequent, unrelenting vomiting that does not improve with medication.
This condition can be dangerous for both the mother and baby as it can lead to nutrient deficiencies, muscle weakness, severe fatigue, and dehydration. Seeking medical help is essential if morning sickness reaches an unbearable level.
The Mystery Behind Morning Sickness While doctors have yet to pinpoint the exact cause of morning sickness, they speculate that hormone levels in the body may play a role. These hormones may also provide protection against certain complications during pregnancy.
Unfortunately, there is no definitive cure for morning sickness. However, the intriguing link between morning sickness and higher intelligence in children may provide a glimmer of comfort during the discomforting moments.
At Nutrition for Growth, we are dedicated to empowering parents with valuable insights and information to ensure their children’s optimal development. Backed by Healthy Heights and Nutritional Growth Solutions, we strive to support parents on their journey to nurturing happy, healthy, and intellectually thriving children. Embrace the journey, knowing that each step contributes to your child’s bright future.
Sources:
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19394042
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6020391/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24893173
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26100060
- https://www.nhs.uk/news/pregnancy-and-child/morning-sickness-ups-baby-iq/
- http://www.hyperemesis.org/
- https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/0/hyperemesis-gravidarum-duchess-cambridges-morning-sickness-condition/
