Listening to a CD might seem a strange way to combat the symptoms of morning sickness, but some members of the iVillage community have found that it works

It is estimated that between 50 to 80 per cent of pregnancies bring with them a sickness (known as NVP), which can start and end at any time of day or night – or not end at all. The route origins are still unclear and there are various theories, but NVP is mainly attributed to altered hormone function, physiological and metabolic changes and genetic incompatibility.

Our ears provide us with the ability to hear and the inner ear (vestibular system) is also responsible for our balance (our gyroscope). It is an acknowledged contributor in the process of being sick as a result of travel or motion sickness. In recent years it has been confirmed that the vestibular system is regarded as a significant organ involved in the process of being sick.

This is where a radical theory was put to the test. If the inner ear is a significant organ involved in the process of vomiting, could it be used to influence and combat the process using techniques that are part of its normal function? The benefits of such a product are that there is no drug involvement; it is effective from outside the body and does not conflict with any other form of treatment; it is portable and can be used without medical supervision.

MorningWell
A totally unique audio programme was developed over many years to do exactly this. Using sound tones, patterns and frequencies sent to the ears, it was identified that not only is the inner ear responsible for carrying the signals that play a part in the process of being sick, but it can also be used to affect or mask those signals. The end result for most women is that the symptoms are dramatically reduced to easily tolerable levels or they stop completely.

How does it work?
When listened to through headphones connected to a stereo or iPod the MorningWell programme works by interrupting the passage of signals between the brain and gut that would normally cause sickness.

The programme works in three phases:
Phase 1: The unique blend of music, specific frequencies and pulses contained within the programme draws the attention of the vestibular system away from pure balancing and general acoustic duties.

Phase 2: Once focused on the programme, the attention of the vestibular system is held and prevented from sending the emetic signals that cause morning sickness between the brain and gut.

Phase 3: The last phase in the MorningWell programme allows the vestibular system to return to normal operation by gradually reducing the core component materials to the point where they are reconstituted with normal audio signals.

The iVillage test
Some iVillage members (and morning sickness sufferers) were given the MorningWell CD to try, with the following instructions:

1. Use the CD in a personal stereo with headphones or download to an iPod
2. Start using the CD when you feel the first twinge of nausea or sickness – so keep the stereo and headphones with you wherever you go and put them on your ears immediately.
3. Listen to all of the CD each time.
4. What you hear is not necessarily what is working on your sickness, so keep the volume quite low and use the programme as long as you need to. Don’t turn the volume up – it doesn’t make it more effective!
5. Carry on with your day-to-day activities as much as you can and try to ‘forget’ that you are using the CD.
6. The effect is cumulative – it should work better each time you use it – so keep going even if you don’t notice an improvement to begin with. It reaches peak performance after about four days, then continues to work for as long as you need it.

Lisa Gandon
Joanne Rustage-Towers
Sally Allen
Tina Shepherd
Kate Pryde