Morning Sickness May Help Protect Embryos

Ailment has evolutionary benefit, researchers say
By Clay Dillow,  Newser Staff
Posted May 20, 2008 5:59 PM CDT
Morning Sickness May Help Protect Embryos
Part of this complete pregnancy: morning sickness has a benefit after all, evolving to keep embryos healthy and safe from dangerous factors.   (IndexOpen)

Far from being a mere nuisance, morning sickness may actively protect embryos, LiveScience reports. Doctors have long recognized the association of morning sickness and a healthy pregnancy, but new research suggests the condition evolved to protect embryos from dangerous environmental factors.

The findings could have important implications for treatment of morning sickness, said a researcher: "If nausea and vomiting truly serve a useful function, then one has to look more carefully at strategies for dealing with these symptoms." (More prenatal care stories.)

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