Morning sickness is nausea and vomiting that happens during pregnancy. More than half of pregnant women have nausea and vomiting, especially during the first trimester.
Despite its name, you can have morning sickness at any time of day. It doesn't mean your baby is sick, and it doesn't hurt the baby. Pregnancy nausea is probably caused by the sudden increase of hormones in your body. It's usually mild and goes away about midway through your pregnancy. Some women never feel nauseated during their pregnancy.
Some women get a severe form of morning sickness called hyperemesis gravidarum. This happens when severe nausea and vomiting leads to dehydration or causes the woman to lose more than 5% of her pregnancy body weight. Sometimes, she may not get enough nutrients, leading to malnourishment. The woman may have to stay in the hospital to get fluids, medication, and rarely, a feeding tube.
General symptoms of morning sickness include:
- Nausea with or without vomiting during the first trimester that feels like motion sickness
- Nausea that comes on in the morning but can resurface at any time or go on all day
- Feeling sick from smelling certain foods and other odors
- Nausea after eating, especially spicy foods
- Nausea or vomiting brought on by heat and severe salivation
Call your doctor if you:
- Have flu-like symptoms, which may be a sign of illness
- Feel dizzy or lethargic
- Have severe vomiting constantly or several times a day
- Can't keep down any fluids or foods and are losing weight
- Think your nausea may be caused by iron in your prenatal vitamin
- Want to take anti-nausea medication or try a treatment like acupuncture
Experts aren’t sure, but pregnancy hormones may cause nausea. In the case of severe nausea and vomiting, there could be another medical condition that isn’t related to pregnancy.
Things that may make you more likely to have morning sickness include:
- Morning sickness during a previous pregnancy
- A sensitive stomach before pregnancy. This includes motion sickness, migraines, sensitivity to certain smells or tastes, or taking birth control pills.
- You're pregnant with twins or other multiples. You’ll have higher levels of the pregnancy hormone hCG than a woman carrying one baby.
You’re at higher risk of hyperemesis gravidarum if:
- You're expecting a girl.
- Hyperemesis gravidarum runs in your family.
- You had it during a previous pregnancy.
Diagnosing morning sickness is based on your signs and symptoms. If your doctor suspects you have hyperemesis gravidarum, they may also order urine or blood tests.
For moderate to severe morning sickness, your doctor may recommend:
- Vitamin B6 supplements (pyridoxine)
- Natural remedies like ginger
- Over-the-counter drugs like doxylamine (Unisom)
- Prescription anti-nausea medications for persistent symptoms
- Extra fluids if the symptoms are severe enough to cause dehydration
To treat hyperemesis gravidarum, you may need to stay in the hospital and get:
- Fluids through a vein (intravenous, or IV)
- Anti-nausea medications (antiemetics)
- Corticosteroid medications
You can also try some of these home remedies:
- Eat five or six small meals instead of three big ones.
- Take a multivitamin regularly. Don't take it on an empty stomach.
- Avoid smells that upset your stomach.
- Eat saltine crackers, dry toast, or dry cereal before you get out of bed to calm your stomach.
- Avoid spicy and fatty foods.
- When you feel nauseated, eat bland foods that are easy to digest, like rice, bananas, chicken broth, gelatin, or ice pops.
- Take in plenty of fluids. Suck on ice or sip water, weak tea, or clear sodas like ginger ale when you feel nauseated. Aim for six to eight cups of non-caffeinated fluids per day.
- Get fresh air. Go outdoors and take a walk, or just open a window.
- Rinse your mouth after vomiting. This will keep the acid in your stomach from damaging your teeth. You can also add baking soda to a cup of water before rinsing for more protection.
- Some women find that acupressure wristbands ease nausea.
- Acupuncture, in which hair-thin needles are put into your skin at specific points, might also relieve symptoms.
- Herbal ginger supplements can relieve nausea. Most studies show ginger to be safe, but talk to your doctor before taking any supplement.
- Some women find relief with essential oils in calming scents like lavender.
- Hypnosis might also relieve nausea.
Morning sickness is a feeling of nausea or the experience of vomiting during pregnancy, most commonly during the first trimester. Despite its name, morning sickness can happen at any time of the day or night. While most pregnant women experience morning sickness at some point, for many women, it will pass by the second trimester.
Why do pregnant women get morning sickness?
Although the exact cause of morning sickness is unknown, it is associated with hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy.
An imbalance of dietary potassium and magnesium, low blood sugar and low levels of vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) are all known causes of nausea. Following a diet that includes whole foods with a wide range of vitamins and minerals will help you stay healthy and well during your pregnancy.
Read more
Having a healthy pregnancy means following a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, knowing what to avoid and making sure your vaccinations are up to date.
Read moreHaving a healthy pregnancyWhy does it affect some women more than others?
Some women are more likely to feel nauseous during pregnancy than others. While morning sickness is hard to predict, women who have experienced morning sickness in a previous pregnancy are more likely to have it again.
How long does morning sickness last?
You are more likely to feel morning sickness between 6 and 14 weeks of pregnancy, during your first trimester. While it is commonly known as ‘morning’ sickness, it may last throughout the day or night.
It is unusual to experience morning sickness for the first time after week 10 of pregnancy, so if this happens to you, consult your doctor to rule out other health conditions and to give you peace of mind.
How can I relieve morning sickness?
To relieve morning sickness, consider:
- eating smaller meals more often (include morning and afternoon snacks between main meals)
- eating a plain cracker shortly after waking up
- drinking water before and after a meal, rather than with food
- aiming to drink 8 glasses of water a day
- avoiding spicy or fatty foods
- eating protein-rich foods (such as nuts or cheese)
- avoiding skipping meals
Soda (or carbonated) water and ginger/peppermint tea are also known to help relieve nausea and settle an upset stomach.
Some women become more sensitive to strong food smells while pregnant. If certain smells bother you, consider asking for help preparing your food. You can also increase ventilation in your kitchen while cooking by opening windows to get rid of cooking smells. Cold foods produce less odour than hot foods, so you may find these more appetising.
Nausea may feel worse when you are over-tired, and taking rest or nap breaks frequently throughout the day may help. Other suggestions include:
- deep breathing or relaxation exercises
- anti-nausea wristbands (available at most chemists)
- acupuncture treatments(but only when administered by a qualified practitioner trained in maternal care)
Be sure to check with your doctor before you take any supplement, prescription or over-the-counter medicine, especially while pregnant.
Is morning sickness harmful for my baby?
Even though morning sickness can be unpleasant and distressing, there is no research to suggest that it causes harm to your baby. Nausea may, however, influence your food choices. Both you and your baby need an ongoing source of a range of nutrients in the foods you eat. Speak with a health professional if you think that your morning sickness is getting in the way of healthy eating.
It is also important to prevent dehydration, so if you are vomiting and unable to keep fluids down, see your doctor immediately.
What do I do if my morning sickness is severe?
When morning sickness is severe, it is known as hyperemesis gravidarum. A pregnant woman who experiences severe vomiting for an extended period of time may need monitoring and treatment in hospital. An intravenous (IV) drip is inserted to replace essential salts and fluids and prevent dehydration. If you are vomiting whenever you eat or drink, consult a health care professional, since early treatment can protect you and your baby from health complications.
When should I see my doctor about morning sickness?
If nausea or vomiting is causing significant discomfort, or if you suspect that you have hyperemesis gravidarum, you should see your doctor.
Other signs you need to see a doctor include:
- very dark urine
- blood in vomit
- extreme fatigue
- dramatic weight loss
- dehydration due to inability to keep fluids down
CHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS — If you are feeling unwell and not sure what to do next, check your symptoms using the healthdirect Symptom Checker tool.
In some cases, a doctor may advise a home remedy. In other cases, they may refer you to another healthcare professional, such as a dietitian — to help you create a healthy and enjoyable meal plan — or to a specialist for further tests. Your doctor may prescribe you with medicine to ease your symptoms, such as an antiemetic (to prevent vomiting), or vitamin and mineral supplements.
If your symptoms persist after treatment, it is a good idea to return to your doctor for another consultation — there may be another approach you can try.
Last reviewed: September 2021