Expert: Cheryl Hetherington - 6/28/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi,
I am 9 1/2 weeks pregnant and my nausea symptoms have faded quite a bit.  I never was sick to the point of throwing up but would get queasy intermittently throughout the day.  I have recently felt more energetic however the mood swings and sore breasts are still there.  I have heard that 9 weeks is the plateau of your hormone levels and that your placenta can start taking on some of your hormones, is this correct or am I experiencing early symptoms of miscarriage? I have no significant cramping and no blood and have seen the babies heartbeat at both my 6 week and 7 week ultrasounds. I have had one missed miscarriage but it was a blighted ovum as well, so I am much further along than my previous pregnancy.  

Thank you in advance for any advice you can give!

ANSWER: It is perfectly normal to experience nausea, mood swings and breast tenderness into your second trimester. This is not typically a cause for concern. Based on what you have told me, I do not feel that you are experiencing any signs of an early miscarriage. I wish you the best of luck and please let me know if you have any more concerns.

Best Wishes,
Cheryl A. Hetherington

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Sorry, I was concerned b/c my nausea symptoms are almost gone and was worried that this may be too early for this to happen, in your opinion and from what you have heard from others is this something to worry about?
Thank you again for your time.

Answer
I would certainly not be worried about that at this point. Nausea normally subsides at various time throughout pregnancy and it is not anything to be concerned with. Every pregnancy is different and progresses differently than others. As your body adjusts to the pregnancy, it adapts to the hormonal levels in your body and can relieve most, if not all, of your symptoms from early in pregnancy. I hope this has helped you.