Morning sickness: what helps and when to get advice

"Morning" sickness is one of pregnancy's great misnomers, it can show up at any hour, and for some people it lingers all day. Here is what is going on, the things that genuinely take the edge off, and the signs that mean you should ask for help.

Why it happens, and when it eases

Nausea and being sick are very common in early pregnancy, driven by the rapid rise in pregnancy hormones. It usually starts before week nine, often peaks in the first few weeks, and tends to settle by around 16 to 20 weeks for most people. It is unpleasant, but for the vast majority it is not harmful to you or your baby, and it does not mean anything is wrong.

What genuinely helps

There is no magic cure, but these small, practical changes are the ones most often recommended:

• Eat little and often. An empty stomach makes nausea worse, so small, frequent snacks beat big meals.
• Start the day slowly. Keep plain biscuits or crackers by the bed and have a few before you get up.
• Go for bland and dry. Plain toast, crackers and cereal are easier to face than rich or strong-smelling food.
• Sip fluids steadily. Small, regular sips help you stay hydrated even when you cannot face a full glass. Cold or fizzy drinks suit some people better.
• Try ginger. Ginger, as a tea, biscuit or sweet, helps some people, and is a commonly suggested first step.
• Rest. Tiredness makes sickness worse, so rest when you can, easier said than done, but it matters.
• Avoid your triggers. If certain smells or foods set you off, give yourself full permission to steer clear for now.

When sickness is more serious

A small number of people develop hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe form of pregnancy sickness that does need medical care. It is not something to tough out. Contact your GP or midwife straight away if you:

• Cannot keep any food or fluids down for 24 hours.
• Are losing weight, or feel very weak and unwell.
• Have signs of dehydration, such as dark wee, weeing very little, or feeling dizzy.
• Vomit blood, or have severe tummy pain.

There are safe, effective anti-sickness treatments your doctor can prescribe in pregnancy, so please ask. Struggling on alone is not a badge of honour.

Frequently asked questions

When will morning sickness stop?

For most people it eases by around 16 to 20 weeks, though a minority feel it for longer. If it suddenly stops and you are worried, you can always mention it to your midwife.

Is it bad if I have no morning sickness?

Not at all. Plenty of people sail through with little or none, and that is perfectly healthy. Its presence or absence is not a measure of anything.

Can I take anything for it?

Start with the practical steps above. If sickness is severe or stopping you keeping fluids down, see your GP, as there are safe anti-sickness medicines for pregnancy.

The bottom line

Morning sickness is common, usually harmless, and tends to ease by the second trimester. Eat little and often, keep fluids up, lean on ginger and rest, and avoid your triggers. If you cannot keep anything down, are losing weight, or show signs of dehydration, contact your GP or midwife, that is severe sickness and it can be treated.

Sources

• NHS, Vomiting and morning sickness and Severe vomiting in pregnancy (hyperemesis gravidarum).

Read next: Pregnancy week by week · Trimester-by-trimester guide.

This article is general information, not medical advice. For advice about sickness in your own pregnancy, contact your GP or midwife, or see nhs.uk/pregnancy.