Morning Sickness: What Helps and When It’s Too Much
Nausea in early pregnancy is very common. Despite the name, morning sickness can happen at any time of day, and for some women it lasts all day.
For most women it is unpleasant but manageable, and it improves with time. For a smaller group it becomes severe and needs medical care. This article explains what helps and how to know when to ask for help.
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Quick Answer
Morning sickness is nausea, with or without vomiting, in early pregnancy. According to the NHS, it usually clears up by weeks 16 to 20, and it does not increase your baby’s risk (1). Small frequent meals, rest, and avoiding triggers often help. Contact your midwife or doctor if you cannot keep food or fluids down.
What Morning Sickness Is Like
Morning sickness can start early and can strike at any time of day. Some women feel only mild queasiness. Others vomit several times a day. Up to 70% of women have some nausea in the first trimester (2).
The exact cause is not fully known. Hormone changes in the first 12 weeks are thought to be a likely cause. Tiredness can make nausea worse, and strong smells or certain foods can set it off. Even though it feels awful, morning sickness is not a sign that something is wrong with the pregnancy.
Who Is More Likely to Have It
Some women are more likely to have strong nausea, including those who:
- Are carrying twins or more.
- Had severe sickness in a previous pregnancy.
- Are prone to motion sickness or migraines.
- Have a family history of severe morning sickness.
- Are pregnant for the first time.
- Felt sick when taking contraceptives that contain estrogen.
- Have a body mass index of 30 or more.
Having one of these risk factors does not mean you will have severe sickness. It only means it is a little more likely. If you have already had a hard time in an earlier pregnancy, tell your midwife or doctor early so you can make a plan.
What May Help
Eating and Drinking
Try eating a dry biscuit or a piece of dry toast in the morning before you get out of bed. During the day, eat small, frequent meals of plain, starchy, low-fat foods instead of large meals. Cold foods can be easier than hot meals because they smell less. Sip fluids little and often.
Rest and Triggers
Tiredness can make nausea worse, so rest whenever you can. Notice which smells, foods, or places set off your nausea, and avoid them where possible. If someone else can cook for a while, let them.
Ginger and Acupressure
Some women find that ginger helps. Check with a pharmacist before taking ginger supplements. Acupressure wristbands, or pressing on the inside of the wrist, are another option some women try. These methods do not work for everyone, but they are low risk and easy to test.
Medicine
If sickness is severe and does not improve with these changes, your doctor may prescribe a short course of anti-sickness medicine. According to the NHS, this is often an antihistamine taken as tablets (1). Do not start any medicine or supplement without asking your doctor or pharmacist first, because some are not recommended in pregnancy.
When Morning Sickness Is Too Much
Severe sickness is called hyperemesis gravidarum. It is much less common than ordinary morning sickness, but it can cause dehydration and weight loss and sometimes needs treatment in the hospital (3). Vomiting can also lead to dehydration on its own; see Signs of Dehydration for what to look for.
Contact your midwife or doctor, or your local health line, if:
- You are vomiting and have very dark urine, or you have not passed urine for more than 8 hours.
- You cannot keep food or fluids down for 24 hours.
- You feel very weak, dizzy, or faint when you stand up.
- You have belly pain or a high temperature.
- You vomit blood or you have lost weight.
Nausea and vomiting can also be caused by an infection, such as a urinary tract infection. Tell your provider if the sickness feels different from before or starts later in pregnancy. For the signs of a bladder infection, see UTIs: Causes, Symptoms, and Prevention.
Looking After Yourself
Feeling sick for weeks is exhausting, and it can affect your mood and your work. It is fine to ask for practical help from your partner, family, friends, or employer. Talk to your midwife or doctor if you feel low, anxious, or unable to cope. Needing support does not mean you are not managing well.
Conclusion
Morning sickness is very common, and it usually improves by weeks 16 to 20. Small frequent meals, rest, avoiding triggers, and simple remedies like ginger can help many women. If these steps are not enough, medicine is an option. Do not wait if you cannot keep fluids down, feel faint, or have lost weight. Contact your midwife or doctor early, because treatment works better before dehydration builds up.
