What is morning sickness?
Morning sickness is nausea and/or vomiting that occurs during pregnancy. It’s a common condition that affects up to 80% of pregnant women in the early stages of pregnancy.
Despite the name, morning sickness can happen day or night, and for some people, can last all day
There’s no denying that morning sickness can be one of the more uncomfortable symptoms of pregnancy. However, it generally clears up by weeks 16 to 20 and doesn’t cause any harm to your little one.
That said, some people can experience morning sickness throughout their entire pregnancy, and more severe vomiting and nausea can be a sign of hyperemesis gravidarum. This refers to a lack of fluids or nutrients in the body, which may require specialist treatment. It’s important to consult a doctor if you are concerned about your symptoms.
What causes morning sickness?
Despite being very common, the exact cause of morning sickness is actually unknown. However, it’s believed that an increase in pregnancy hormones such as human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) and estrogen may trigger symptoms.
Morning sickness can affect any pregnant person, but it’s more likely to occur in those who :
Are having twins, triplets or another multiple pregnancy
Had severe sickness and/or vomiting in a previous pregnancy
Are prone to motion sickness
Have a history of migraine headaches
Feel sick when taking contraceptives containing estrogen
Are pregnant for the first time
Are experiencing stress
Whether you experience it or not, its severity can also vary between pregnancies. You may experience severe morning sickness during one pregnancy, but milder symptoms in another.
When does pregnancy sickness start?
Nausea commonly starts around six weeks into pregnancy. Symptoms usually peak around weeks nine to 10 and fade at the beginning of the second trimester.
No two pregnancies are the same, of course. Some people may experience nausea during pregnancy, without vomiting, while others experience vomiting day to day. In some cases, you may have both, but it all falls under the term ‘pregnancy sickness’.
Pregnancy sickness typically starts around six weeks into pregnancy, though some people may feel nausea as early as week four. Symptoms tend to peak around nine to 10 weeks in, then settle around the 12-14 week mark.
In terms of time of day, not all expectant women hop out of bed at the crack of dawn with a queasy stomach. Nausea, vomiting, and other symptoms can happen throughout the day, or at night, which is why ‘pregnancy sickness’ and ‘anytime sickness’ are more commonly used today.
Morning sickness symptoms
The main symptom of morning sickness is an upset stomach, but the range of common signs to watch out for includes:
Nausea
Vomiting
Loss of appetite
Motion sickness
Heartburn or acid reflux
If you struggle to keep any food or drink down, there is a chance of developing a severe form of pregnancy sickness, known as hyperemesis gravidarum. If this is the case, consult your midwife or doctor for advice.
It’s also a good idea to seek medical attention if you’re vomiting and:
Have a high temperature
Feel weak, dizzy, or faint when standing up
Have tummy pain
Have lost weight
Have a very dark-coloured urine
Have not urinated in more than eight hours
If you are vomiting up blood, please seek medical attention as soon as possible.
How long does pregnancy sickness last?
By week 20, symptoms are normally completely gone. But this won’t be the case for everyone. Morning sickness symptoms can be unpredictable, lasting for any length of time during pregnancy. If you have pregnancy sickness, it’s normal to count down the days until you start feeling better.
Pregnancy sickness usually settles around the start of the second trimester – around 12 to 14 weeks into pregnancy. Symptoms tend to disappear completely by 16 to 20 weeks, though up to 10% of pregnant people experience nausea right up to their delivery date.
How to treat morning sickness?
Since everyone’s pregnancy is different, no hard and fast solution will work for everybody. That said, some methods may relieve or minimize symptoms before or during the early stages of pregnancy. Indeed, there are some small changes you can make to try and ease the symptoms – especially when it comes to diet and lifestyle.
Diet
Snack often. Snacking throughout the day, on dry foods like a plain biscuit or toast in the morning, can help to avoid nausea. Eating small, frequent meals can also help you avoid feeling full.
Try prenatal vitamins. Taking chewable or gummy vitamins before bed can alleviate pregnancy sickness.
Beware of sickness ‘triggers’. Avoid smells or foods that seem to make your nausea worse. Try to focus on foods that are low in fat and high in carbohydrates.
Drink plenty of fluids. Little and often is the way here. Aim to drink six to eight cups of fluids each day to stay hydrated.
Incorporate ginger into your diet. Ginger products like ginger tea or ginger ale may help reduce nausea and vomiting.
Choose foods carefully. Avoid spicy, greasy, or fatty foods. Instead, eat foods that are high in protein, low in fat, and easy to digest. Salty foods might be more tolerable for morning sickness and nausea in general.
Lifestyle
Get plenty of rest.
Avoid getting overheated.
Gentle exercise – prenatal yoga, swimming, or walking are all good options.
Wear a plastic acupressure band throughout the day.
If these remedies don’t ease your symptoms, your doctor may be able to prescribe anti-nausea medication or a vitamin B6 supplement that’s safe to take during pregnancy.
Morning Sickness FAQs
Can morning sickness hurt your baby?
No, morning sickness won’t typically cause any harm to your baby. In fact, it’s usually a sign of a healthy baby. However, while a normal level of pregnancy sickness doesn’t put your baby at risk, severe morning sickness may cause some concern. Always speak to your midwife or doctor if you’re worried.
Is morning sickness a good sign?
Morning sickness may be uncomfortable, but there are some comforting benefits. Symptoms such as nausea and vomiting during the first trimester may signify the correct increase in hormones needed for a healthy pregnancy.
What foods trigger morning sickness?
Everyone has different triggers during pregnancy. However, certain foods have been known to trigger morning sickness. Spicy foods and caffeine are believed to trigger the release of stomach acids, leading to nausea in pregnancy, so it’s best to avoid these.
Discover our resources that will help you prepare for baby. From our Newborn Starter Kit to packing your hospital bag, we have you covered.
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