Morning Sickness

What it is, signs, and why it happens

Morning sickness is the nausea and vomiting of pregnancy, and despite the name it can strike any time of day. It affects roughly 70 to 80 percent of pregnant people and is usually a normal, self-limiting part of early pregnancy, not a sign something is wrong. It typically begins before about 9 weeks, peaks around weeks 9 to 12, and for many eases as the first trimester ends, with most feeling better by around 14 to 16 weeks. The hallmark is nausea with or without vomiting, often worse on an empty stomach, plus a heightened sense of smell, food aversions, and queasiness that comes in waves. The cause isn't fully understood but is tied to the hormonal surge of early pregnancy, especially rising hCG from the placenta, along with estrogen and a hormone called GDF15; it's generally a sign hormones are doing their job, not harm to the baby. This page is general education, not medical advice, so use it as a starting point for a talk with your own ob-gyn or midwife.

Caring for it: home measures and treatment

For mild to moderate symptoms, the basics help most: eat small amounts frequently rather than large meals, keep bland dry foods like crackers nearby, sip fluids steadily through the day, and avoid your personal trigger smells and foods. Bland, low-fat options like toast, rice, applesauce, and bananas tend to sit better than greasy ones. Ginger has reasonable evidence for easing nausea, and acupressure wristbands help some people. Taking your prenatal vitamin with food or at bedtime can reduce stomach upset, but ask your provider first. When home measures aren't enough, effective treatments exist and you don't have to tough it out: ACOG identifies vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) as a reasonable first-line option, often combined with the antihistamine doxylamine (the active ingredient in over-the-counter Unisom SleepTabs, and the combination found in prescription Diclegis and Bonjesta) when B6 alone isn't enough, and providers may add other anti-nausea medications if symptoms persist. These are well-studied, standard parts of pregnancy care. Do not start, stop, or dose any medication or supplement, including over-the-counter ones, based on this page; the right products and doses should be decided with your ob-gyn or midwife, especially since not every Unisom product contains doxylamine.

When to call your doctor, and the bottom line

Call your ob-gyn, midwife, or provider promptly if you can't keep any food or liquids down for more than about 24 hours, are vomiting many times a day, or have signs of dehydration: little or no urination, dark-colored urine, a very dry mouth, or feeling dizzy or faint when you stand up. Other real red flags include noticeable weight loss, a racing heart, vomit that contains blood or looks like coffee grounds, severe abdominal pain, or a fever. Vomiting that first starts after about 9 weeks, or that comes with headache or belly pain, also deserves a call, because it can point to a cause other than ordinary morning sickness. Severe, unrelenting nausea and vomiting that strips away weight and fluids can be hyperemesis gravidarum, which affects up to roughly 3 percent of pregnancies and sometimes needs IV fluids or hospital care; it is treatable but needs medical attention rather than waiting it out. Bottom line: morning sickness is common and usually harmless, eases for most as the second trimester begins, and is manageable, but you don't have to suffer in silence or self-diagnose. Know the warning signs above and keep your care team in the loop so they can tailor a plan to you. When in doubt, call.