Morning Sickness

Morning sickness is when a woman feels nauseous during pregnancy. This nauseous feeling may or may not come with vomiting. It often occurs in the morning, but it can be a problem at any time of day. Morning sickness is most common during the first trimester. In some cases, it may continue throughout pregnancy. Although morning sickness is unpleasant, it is usually harmless unless the woman develops severe and continual vomiting (hyperemesis gravidarum), a condition that requires more intense treatment.

What are the causes?

The exact cause of this condition is not known, but it seems to be related to normal hormonal changes that occur in pregnancy.

What increases the risk?

• You experienced nausea or vomiting before your pregnancy.
• You had morning sickness during a previous pregnancy.
• You are pregnant with more than one baby, such as twins.

What are the signs or symptoms?

• Nausea.
• Vomiting.

How is this diagnosed?

This condition is usually diagnosed based on your signs and symptoms.

How is this treated?

• Vitamin B6 supplements.
• Anti-nausea medicines.
• Ginger.

Follow these instructions at home:

Medicines

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider. Do not use any prescription, over-the-counter, or herbal medicines for morning sickness without first talking with your health care provider.
• Take multivitamins before getting pregnant. This can prevent or decrease the severity of morning sickness in most women.

Eating and drinking

• Eat a piece of dry toast or crackers before getting out of bed in the morning.
• Eat 5 or 6 small meals a day.
• Eat dry and bland foods, such as rice or a baked potato. Foods that are high in carbohydrates are often helpful.
• Avoid greasy, fatty, and spicy foods.
• Have someone cook for you if the smell of any food causes nausea and vomiting.
• If you feel nauseous after taking prenatal vitamins, take the vitamins at night or with a snack.
• Eat a protein snack between meals if you are hungry. Nuts, yogurt, and cheese are good options.
• Drink fluids throughout the day.
• Try ginger ale made with real ginger, ginger tea made from fresh grated ginger, or ginger candies.

General instructions

• Do not use any products that contain nicotine or tobacco. These products include cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and vaping devices, such as e-cigarettes. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.
• Get an air purifier to keep the air in your house free of odors.
• Get plenty of fresh air.
• Try to avoid odors that trigger your nausea.
• Consider trying these methods to help relieve symptoms:
  • Wearing an acupressure wristband. These wristbands are often worn for seasickness.
  • Acupuncture.

Contact a health care provider if:

• Your home remedies are not working and you need medicine.
• You feel dizzy or light-headed.
• You are losing weight.

Get help right away if:

• You have persistent and uncontrolled nausea and vomiting.
• You faint.
• You have severe pain in your abdomen.

Summary

• Morning sickness is when a woman feels nauseous during pregnancy. This nauseous feeling may or may not come with vomiting.
• Morning sickness is most common during the first trimester.
• It often occurs in the morning, but it can be a problem at any time of day.
• In many cases, treatment is not needed for this condition. Making some changes to what you eat may help to control symptoms.