Morning Sickness Symptoms and Nausea Remedies
Oh... that queasy feeling! Everything seems to bring on nausea, and you may be wondering: how long will this last? Is something wrong? Why is it called morning sickness when it can strike at any time? Many mums-to-be experience nausea in the first trimester, but you can relieve the symptoms with a few morning sickness remedies.
What Is Morning Sickness?
Morning sickness is a feeling of queasiness, nausea and vomiting that occurs during pregnancy. About 50 to 70 percent of pregnant women experience queasiness, which is sometimes accompanied by vomiting. The condition is called morning sickness because that's often the time of day when the symptoms are the worst, but unfortunately you can feel queasy or throw up any time of day.
About halfway through your first trimester, you might notice that the smell of certain substances, such as perfumes, spices, or even the sight of breakfast, makes you nauseated. You may even find that your morning sickness is not exclusively triggered by food. This early pregnancy symptom of nausea and vomiting is caused by the pregnancy hormone hCG, as well as other factors like low blood sugar, a more acute sense of smell, increased stomach acid levels, stress, or fatigue.
Not only is this nausea normal, it's usually a sign that your pregnancy is healthy. However, if you don’t experience morning sickness, don’t worry, it does not necessarily point towards any complication. Do tell your doctor if your pregnancy nausea or vomiting occurs more than twice a day, if it prevents you from eating or drinking altogether, or if it continues past your first trimester. You might have a more serious problem called hyperemesis gravidarum, which requires treatment with oral or intravenous medication.
Many moms-to-be start to experience nausea and vomiting - aka morning sickness - in the first month or two of pregnancy. Read on to find out when morning sickness typically starts and when it may end, and why you shouldn’t worry if you don’t experience morning sickness at all.
When Does Morning Sickness Start in Pregnancy?
Morning sickness usually starts sometime between 4 weeks and 9 weeks of pregnancy, and may be at its worst over the following month. Keep in mind that the time when morning sickness starts may be different for each mom-to-be and can even differ between pregnancies. And some pregnant women never experience morning sickness at all. If you’re not sure how far along you are in your pregnancy, you can find out using our Due Date Calculator or by turning to your healthcare provider.
What Causes Morning Sickness?
Experts aren’t quite sure what causes the nausea and vomiting associated with morning sickness, but there may be a link with the elevated levels of the pregnancy hormones hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) and estrogen during early pregnancy. These hormonal changes may heighten your senses, too. In other words, you may become more sensitive to certain smells, and your sense of taste may also change; for example, everything may taste sour, bitter, or simply off. Read more about pregnancy aversions.
What Does Morning Sickness Feel Like?
Many would describe morning sickness as a queasy feeling that may come with or without nausea and vomiting. You would think that with a name like “morning sickness,” it would mean that you only get the symptoms of queasiness and nausea in the morning. Unfortunately, that’s not the case — morning sickness can strike at any time of day. It can also come and go throughout the day or last all day. Most women will get sick for a short time each day, possibly even vomiting once or twice. But it’s different for every mom-to-be, and what you may experience during early pregnancy is unique to you. There is also a severe form of morning sickness known as hyperemesis gravidarum. Only 2 percent of women with morning sickness experience this severe condition. Though no one knows what causes the condition, it's possible that women who are carrying more than one baby may be more likely to have severe nausea and vomiting than those carrying just one baby. For this type of morning sickness, your healthcare provider may prescribe medication to treat the nausea and vomiting.
When Does Morning Sickness End?
According to experts, between 70 and 85 percent of pregnant women experience morning sickness in their first trimester, and most women find that their symptoms usually go away in the second trimester, sometime around 16 weeks.
How Long Does Morning Sickness Last?
Every pregnancy is unique, but for some moms-to-be morning sickness can last for up to several months. Around 5 percent of pregnant women may experience morning sickness symptoms throughout their entire pregnancy.
Is It Normal Not to Get Morning Sickness?
Around 15 to 30 percent of women do not experience morning sickness at all, and it doesn’t mean anything is wrong. Every pregnancy and every mom-to-be is different. However, if you’re concerned about how your pregnancy is progressing, speak to your healthcare provider.
How to Avoid Morning Sickness?
There are some handy cures that can help relieve some of those pesky symptoms of morning sickness. Here are some tips on how to avoid the feeling of nausea and vomiting sensation during pregnancy:
Have snacks on hand:
Keep some plain biscuits or a piece of chocolate beside your bed, and eat something the moment you wake up to raise your blood sugar levels before starting your day. Eat more often. Eat five to six small meals a day to avoid an empty stomach and to keep your blood sugar stable.
Eat well:
Include enough protein in your diet (meats, fish, eggs, cheese) and complex carbohydrates (fruits, vegetables, grains) to meet the requirements of your developing baby.
Try supplements:
Some nutritionists recommend taking 50 to 100 milligrams of a vitamin B6 supplement to prevent nausea. As with any over-the-counter medication, consult your doctor first.
Go easy on the hot chilies:
Stay away from spicy or greasy foods, and avoid becoming overheated and sweaty.
De-stress:
When nausea strikes, try to relax by breathing slowly or focusing on something pleasant.
Know your nausea triggers:
Avoid the sight, smell, and taste of foods or other substances (such as tobacco smoke) that make you queasy.
Try some home remedies:
Keep your fridge stocked with strawberry and peach ice pops. These not only soothe your stomach and help with the nausea, but are rich in folic acid. You can also suck on some ice or a lemon wedge.
Avoid anything that may make you gag:
If brushing your teeth makes you gag, try mouthwash instead.
Neutralise the acid in your stomach:
Try drinking a glass of milk or take right levels of calcium.
Soothe your symptoms with something cool:
Apply a cold cloth or ice pack to your throat.
Give ginger a try:
Add ginger to your food or drink ginger tea - it’s a natural remedy for nausea.
Stay hydrated:
Drink lots of water in small sips. It may help not to mix solids and fluids in the same meal.
Press on your pressure points:
Apply pressure with your thumbs at the base of your skull at the back of your neck.
Exercise it away:
Gentle exercise releases endorphins that can help with the nausea.
Even if none of these morning sickness remedies works for you, take heart. The good news is that morning sickness tends to go away in the second trimester when hCG hormone levels decrease. In the meantime, remind yourself that the nausea is normal and will soon pass — and think about the happiness your baby will bring you as your due date gets nearer.
What Foods Are Good for Morning Sickness?
Snacking throughout the day (opting for salty snacks like crackers), and sipping ginger tea or ginger ale, or sucking on ginger candy or a ginger lollipop may help relieve nausea. If you’re really having a hard time with morning sickness, your healthcare provider may recommend switching to bland foods, such as the BRATT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast, and tea), as these are easy to digest. It’s best to avoid greasy, spicy, and fatty foods during this time as these could make your symptoms worse. Some researchers have found that foods high in protein may relieve nausea better than foods high in carbohydrates. Test whether adding protein to every meal helps.
Is Morning Sickness a Good Sign?
Many women consider morning sickness to be a good sign, despite the unpleasant queasiness and vomiting. It can be a reminder that they are actually pregnant and that their pregnancy is on track. And there is some research that supports this point of view.
Be sure to reach out to your healthcare provider if you have any questions about morning sickness or about any aspect of your pregnancy.
Can Morning Sickness Hurt Your Baby?
Mild or moderate morning sickness usually isn’t harmful for you or your baby. However, if you start having trouble keeping food and liquid down, it can lead to dehydration and/or weight loss. This can keep you from getting the nutrition you need during your pregnancy to nourish both you and your baby, and it may affect the birth weight of your baby. Contact your healthcare provider if you’re having trouble keeping food and water down.
When to Call Your Healthcare Provider
Call your healthcare provider if:
You’re unable to urinate, or urinate a very small amount, or urinate fewer than three times per day
Your urine is dark in color or has a strong odor
You can’t keep any foods or liquids down for 24 hours or more
You’ve stopped gaining weight or have lost five pounds or more within one to two weeks
Your skin, mouth, and lips are very dry
You get dizzy when you stand up
You get tired and confused easily
Your heart is racing or pounding.
The Bottom Line
Morning sickness can start early in your pregnancy, often between 4 and 9 weeks, and typically doesn’t last past your first trimester. However, your particular experience may be different, as each woman's pregnancy is unique. Morning sickness is a very common pregnancy symptom, and it can happen any time of the day, not just in the morning. The good news is that eating things like salty crackers and drinking ginger tea throughout the day could help. If you notice that you’re dehydrated or losing weight, of if your symptoms are particularly severe, it’s best to call your healthcare provider so that you can get treatment. Luckily, most moms-to-be find that morning sickness goes away in the second trimester. In the meantime, if you’re having a hard time with morning sickness, try to see it as a good reminder that you’re creating a new life, and speak to your healthcare provider for personalized guidance and advice.
How We Wrote This Article The information in this article is based on the expert advice found in trusted medical and government sources, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. You can find a full list of sources used for this article below. The content on this page should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult medical professionals for full diagnosis and treatment.