Morning sickness
Why nausea and vomiting happen in pregnancy, when they ease, what helps and when to call a doctor.
3 min read
In this article
Nausea and vomiting are among the most common complaints of pregnancy. They usually start between weeks 4 and 7, and for most women they settle by weeks 16 to 20. There is no evidence that ordinary morning sickness harms your baby.
It is called morning sickness, but it can happen at any time of the day or night. It is often worst when you first wake up.
Why it happens
The exact cause is not known. It is thought to be linked to the hormonal changes of the first 12 weeks.
What can help
- Eat little and often, around 6 small meals a day instead of 3 large ones.
- Keep something to eat by your bed, such as a plain biscuit, and eat a little before you get up.
- Choose plain foods: toast, pasta, boiled potatoes, plain biscuits.
- Sip water often through the day. Cold foods and drinks are often easier to keep down.
- Try ginger, for example in tea or biscuits. Ask a pharmacist before taking ginger supplements.
- Avoid the smells and foods that make you feel sick.
- Rest as much as you can. Tiredness makes nausea worse.
- Some women feel better with the acupressure wristbands sold for travel sickness.
If these are not enough, a doctor can give you a medicine that is safe in pregnancy. Do not take anti-sickness medicine without talking to a doctor.
When the sickness is severe
Some women vomit so much that they cannot keep food or water down. This is called hyperemesis gravidarum. It can lead to dehydration and a lack of nutrients, and it needs medical treatment, sometimes in hospital. It is not your fault, and you do not have to put up with it.
When to call a doctor
Contact a doctor if you are vomiting and:
- your wee is very dark, or you have not had a wee 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 tummy pain
- you have a high temperature
- you vomit blood
- you are losing weight
Common questions
When does morning sickness start?
When does morning sickness stop?
Can vomiting harm my baby?
Is it a bad sign if I have no sickness?
Sources we consulted
Written by the mam.al editors as general information. It does not replace advice from your doctor or midwife. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.