Mum’s the word

Scientists have recently discovered why many women experience morning sickness during pregnancy, raising the prospect of a cure for the condition. The cause is down to a hormone produced by the foetus, a protein known as GDF15. How sick the mother feels depends on a combination of how much of the hormone is produced by the foetus and how much exposure the mother had to this hormone before becoming pregnant. Exposing women to GDF15 ahead of pregnancy may prove a way to prevent morning sickness in the future, researchers believe.

The frequent vomiting and acid reflux associated with morning sickness is a debilitating condition. It can also have a detrimental effect on tooth enamel. Indeed, while pregnancy can be an amazing and transformative time in a woman’s life, many pregnant women are unaware of the specific oral health issues that can arise during pregnancy and how to properly care for their teeth and gingiva.