Remedies, tips, causes and advice: 16 questions on morning sickness answered by experts

There are many symptoms and changes your body experiences in pregnancy but one of the most talked about is morning sickness. It affects the majority of women in some way but can range in severity from mild nausea to vomiting which leads to dehydration and weight loss and sometimes admission to hospital. 

It most commonly occurs in the first trimester but some women will feel ill throughout their pregnancy.

We’ve tried to answer the most common morning sickness questions here but remember to always speak to your GP or midwife if you’re worried.

Why do we get morning sickness in pregnancy?

Morning sickness is nausea and vomiting which can start at around 4-6 weeks and can last until 16-20 weeks. It is sometimes referred to as pregnancy sickness because it doesn’t just occur in the morning. Some women feel sick and vomit at all times of day.

It is thought to be a reaction to high levels of pregnancy hormones which is why it usually occurs in the first trimester when your body is adjusting to being pregnant.

You may be more likely to suffer from sickness if you have had it before, are expecting twins or triplets, are obese or have a history of migraine headaches. Morning sickness will not harm your baby unless you have hyperemesis gravidarum (severe morning sickness) which can lead to low birth weight.

What does morning sickness feel like?

There’s no beating around the bush with this one. Morning sickness is not enjoyable. It will affect every woman differently but will include nausea and vomiting. Some women may not be physically sick but will feel sick for a lot of the time. Other women will have severe sickness and find they can only stomach certain types of food. 

It might be worse when you first wake up which is why it’s caused ‘morning’ sickness. But some women will experience the symptoms at all times of the day. 

Nausea, vomiting and hyperemesis gravidarum can affect your mood, your work, your home situation and your ability to care for your family. Don’t be afraid to ask for extra support from family, work and healthcare professionals if you need it.

When does morning sickness start? Can it start at week 1?

Pregnancy symptoms start at different times for everyone but most commonly morning sickness will start at around week 6. It may be worst at around week 9 but for most women it will have eased by weeks 12-14.

When does morning sickness end? Will I get it in the third trimester?

Most women will find their morning sickness to be worst in the first trimester and should hopefully feel better as they enter the second trimester. However, some women may experience the symptoms throughout their pregnancy, especially if they have severe morning sickness (hyperemesis gravidarum). It can come back in the third trimester which is very frustrating and you may also be dealing with other symptoms by this time such as heartburn and indigestion.

If your nausea and sickness is accompanied by other symptoms such as swelling in your face, arms and legs, a high fever, cramps, blurred vision and diarrhoea it could be a sign of a condition called pre-eclampsia or even labour and you need to seek immediate medical attention.

What foods help morning sickness?

Tommy’s recommends eating little and often, for example six small meals instead of 3 big ones. HPHB’s hypnobirthing instructor Chloe suggests keeping a couple of crackers by your bed for the morning and to set an alarm for 10 minutes before your actual alarm goes off. Eat what you can manage when the first alarm goes, then gently get up when the second goes off. Having an empty stomach can exacerbate the feeling of nausea at any time of the day. The crackers help line your stomach and should therefore help cut the seasick feeling.

Try to avoid foods which contain lots of sugar or saturated fats such as sweets, chocolate and red meat. Bread, pasta and potatoes might be easier to eat than other foods as they are a bit more bland. It’s probably best to avoid spicy foods.

There might be certain foods and smells which trigger your nausea so try to keep away from these. Don’t worry if your sickness means you’re not eating a very varied diet. The symptoms will ease and you will be back to eating your favourite foods again before you know it.

What can I drink to stop morning sickness?

If you’re vomiting regularly it’s very important to stay hydrated. Take small sips of water, cordial or drinks which contain electrolytes. There’s some evidence that ginger can help ease queasiness and there are various hot and cold drinks which contain ginger that you could try. 

Does vitamin B6 help morning sickness?

Vitamin B6 is crucial for the healthy function of the brain and nervous system and so therefore it also plays a critical role in the development of your baby. Studies have shown that vitamin B6 can help ease the symptoms of morning sickness if given to pregnant women. It is usually found in prenatal vitamins so you should not take any more on top of this unless it’s prescribed by a doctor. Foods which naturally contain vitamin B6 include fish, beef, lentils, kidney beans, chickpeas, whole grain wheat and cereals and some fruits such as bananas.

Do not take any medication or extra vitamins without speaking to your doctor or midwife first.

Do other morning sickness tablets and bands work?

Tommy’s says there is evidence that wearing plastic acupressure bands throughout the day might help. They are available in most pharmacies and have a plastic button that presses on the acupressure point on your wrist which can help ease the nausea. 

If you have severe morning sickness your doctor may prescribe you an anti-sickness drug (anti-emetic) which is safe to take in pregnancy. They may also prescribe vitamins B6 and B12 and steroids. 

Can you get morning sickness at night or in the evening?

Yes, morning sickness is not only restricted to the morning. Many women experience the symptoms throughout the day, or at different times of day. It might feel worse in the morning because your stomach is empty.

Can morning sickness last all day?

Yes it can. This is why it is often called ‘pregnancy sickness’ because it can occur at any time which can have an impact on your daily life. If you’re really struggling with it, Chloe recommends trying to have a rest, sleep, watch a film or read a book. “Just rest your body and take your mind elsewhere,” she says.

Can morning sickness come and go?

Yes. As we have detailed above it might come at different times of day, be triggered by certain foods or smells, and disappear for a few weeks and then return again. It will be different for every person. The most important thing is to know how to manage the symptoms when they do come on, get some rest and to ask for help if you need it. 

Is morning sickness worse with twins?

Carrying more than one baby can mean you’re more likely to have morning sickness as you may be experiencing higher levels of pregnancy hormones. Tommy’s say that morning sickness can start earlier if you’re having twins, be more severe and last longer.

Is morning sickness a good sign?

Some women worry that something is wrong if they don’t have morning sickness. They may think that their pregnancy is somehow not strong enough or that they are more likely to miscarry. This is not true.  

What is extreme morning sickness?

Hyperemesis gravidarum is the more severe type of morning sickness which can affect up to 3 in 100 women. It can lead to dehydration and significant weight loss if a woman is unable to keep any fluids or foods down.

Other symptoms of hyperemesis gravidarum include:

•   Dark concentrated urine

•   Feeling faint or dizzy

•   Blood in your vomit

•   A high temperature

•   Low blood pressure

Speak to your doctor or midwife if you are suffering from severe vomiting. You may be prescribed an anti-sickness drug or steroids. If you are too ill to keep anything down you may be given an injection. As stated above, you may also be given a Vitamin B supplement which can also help. 

Some women will need hospital treatment if they are suffering from this condition. It should not affect your baby if you are treated effectively. However, if you lose a lot of weight during your pregnancy it can lead to your baby being a low birth weight.

:: Pregnancy Sickness Support is a charity which supports women suffering from morning sickness and hyperemesis gravidarum. 

The NHS website also has more information https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/morning-sickness-nausea/