Morning sickness

Alternative names

Nausea in the morning - females; Vomiting in the morning - females

Definition

Morning sickness refers to nausea and vomiting that often occurs in the morning during pregnancy.

For severe, persistent vomiting during pregnancy, see hyperemesis gravidarum. For general information on pregnancy, see pregnancy care.

Considerations

Morning sickness is very common. Most pregnant women have at least some nausea, and about a third have vomiting. Morning sickness usually begins during the first month of pregnancy and continues until the 14th to 16th week. Some women have nausea and vomiting through their entire pregnancy.

Morning sickness does not hurt the baby in any way. The degree of morning sickness during one pregnancy does not predict how you will feel in future pregnancies.

Common Causes

The exact cause of morning sickness is unknown. It may be caused by hormonal changes or lower blood sugar during early pregnancy. Emotional stress, traveling, or some foods can aggravate the problem.

Home Care

Try to maintain a positive attitude. Remember that morning sickness usually stops after the first 3 or 4 months of pregnancy. To minimize nausea, try:

• A few soda crackers or dry toast when you first wake up, even before you get out of bed in the morning.
  
• A small snack at bedtime and when getting up to go to the bathroom at night.
  
• Avoiding large meals. Instead, snack as often as every 1-2 hours during the day and drink plenty of fluids.
  
• Eating foods high in protein and complex carbohydrates, such as peanut butter on apple slices or celery; nuts; cheese; crackers; milk; cottage cheese; and yogurt. Avoid foods high in fat and salt, but low in nutrition.
  

Here are some more tips:

• When you feel nauseated, bland foods like gelatin, broth, ginger ale, and saltine crackers can soothe your stomach.
  
• Take your prenatal vitamins at night. Increase vitamin B6 in your diet by eating whole grains, nuts, seeds, and legumes. Talk to your doctor about possibly taking vitamin B6 supplements.
  
• Keep rooms well-ventilated to reduce odors.
  
• Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke.
  
• Avoid taking medications for morning sickness. If you do, consult a doctor first.
  
• Acupressure wrist bands or acupuncture may help. You can find these bands in drug, health food, and travel stores. If considering acupuncture, talk to your doctor and seek an acupuncturist trained to work with pregnant women.