Morning sickness affects up to 85 per cent of mothers. The Duchess of Cambridge also suffered while pregnant with Prince George
It is the bane of many a pregnant woman's life.
But new research suggests morning sickness may be a sign the baby will be healthier - and more intelligent.
A study has revealed that mothers who experience nausea during pregnancy will have fewer miscarriages than those who are healthy during their whole term.
They will also have fewer birth defects and better long-term development for the infant.
The findings may offer some comfort to those who have to endure bouts of vomiting and queasiness as they are expecting.
And they could be very good news indeed for the Duchess of Cambridge who suffered acute morning sickness whilst pregnant with Prince George.
Her illness because so severe that she had to be admitted to hospital before the birth.
Morning sickness affects up to 85 per cent of mothers and it is thought to be caused by rapid increases in gonadotropin, a hormone released by the placenta.
The researchers, from the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, looked at mothers who suffered morning sickness to any extent and found that the benefits applied across the board.
They looked at data from 10 separate studies conducted in five countries between 1992 and 2012 which covered 850,000 pregnant women.
The findings showed that feeling sick and vomiting was linked to lower risk of a low birth weight or a short body length.
Mothers who suffered nausea also had fewer premature births; 6.4 per cent compared to 9.5 per cent for healthy mothers.
The risk of miscarriage was also more than three times higher in women who did not experience morning sickness.
Women 35 or older in particular seemed to benefit from what the researchers called the ‘protective effects’ that resulted.
Over the years mothers have turned to all manner of cures to try and beat morning sickness, from ginger tea, to vitamins or antacids.
Some have also turned to sugar solutions and anti-sickness pills, but previous studies have concluded there could be no cure at all.
Morning sickness may be a sign the baby will be healthier - and more intelligent. TV presenter Kirstie Allsopp (left) and singer Kelly Clarkson (right) also suffered with the condition
The new study found that among the other benefits of going through morning sickness was that the risk of birth defects was reduced by between 30 per cent and 80 per cent.
Years later when they were tested for intelligence, babies born to mothers who suffered sickness scored higher for IQ, language and overall behaviour.
The findings also looked at the impact of drugs to mitigate nausea and vomiting and but found they they did not alter any positive effects associated with morning sickness.
The Duchess of Cambridge’s extreme form of morning sickness is known as hyperemesis gravidarum and effects one birth in 50.
Others who have suffered the same condition are Atomic Kitten star Jenny Frost and TV presenter Kirstie Allsopp.
The latest research was published in the journal Reproductive Toxicology.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2709776/Morning-sickness-isnt-ALL-bad-news-Women-battling-condition-healthier-intelligent-babies.html#ixzz38siBQ0XQ
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