Morning sickness happens to the majority of women during their first trimester of pregnancy. It is characterized by nausea, dizziness, and vomiting. While “morning” is in the name, it can hit at any point in the day. It is not uncommon to experience symptoms for a prolonged period of time beyond the early hours of the day. Below, we have answered some of your most common questions about morning sickness and how to reduce the symptoms:

When will I start to feel morning sickness? 

Morning sickness usually begins anywhere from 6-9 weeks of pregnancy but could pop up at any point in pregnancy. Not all women experience symptoms, so if you don’t it is okay. There is nothing wrong. 

How long will morning sickness last? 

Most women only feel morning sickness symptoms for the first trimester of their pregnancy (first 12 weeks), and those that experience symptoms beyond that, are usually a lot more subdued and not as serious. However, some women have morning sickness for a lot longer than the first 12 weeks, and some even get a return of symptoms during the last trimester. 

Can morning sickness be serious? 

Most women feel sick for long periods of time throughout the day, which is completely normal. If you vomit 0-2 times a day, you have nothing to worry about. However, sometimes morning sickness can be so severe that a woman throws up an increased amount, meaning 3 or more times. It is possible for morning sickness to develop into hyperemesis gravidarum, or persistent nausea and vomiting. If you can’t seem to stop vomiting, talk to your doctor immediately. With hyperemesis gravidarum, there is an increased risk of weight loss, dehydration, and other complications.

What are strategies for avoiding morning sickness? 

Morning sickness can sometimes be triggered by both the feeling of an empty or full stomach. To avoid this, a lot of women eat small portions of food throughout the day and snack constantly. Keeping a snack in your purse or nightstand is a good idea. Additionally, eating immediately after waking up (even before you leave your bed) can fill your stomach slightly before you even get the chance to feel nauseous.  Smells can often be a trigger as well, so keeping something that you can sniff to counteract whatever smell is making you nauseous can be beneficial. Some women find that smelling lemons or other citrus helps to decrease nausea. 

Are there any lifestyle modifications I can make to help with morning sickness? 

Yes, there are many lifestyle modifications that can decrease the symptoms of morning sickness. Snacking constantly, avoiding strong odors and tastes, and avoiding taking prenatal vitamins on an empty stomach are all good ways to combat morning sickness before it happens. It is also important to let your food start to digest before you lay down. Meaning, that right after you eat, go on a small walk or stand for a while before you sit or lay down can help your body start the digestive process and hopefully stop you from getting sick. 

Are there any home treatments for morning sickness? 

Ginger has long been used as a natural remedy to calm a queasy stomach. Incorporating ginger into your daily diet whenever possible may help you fight nausea. Ginger can be consumed in soups, drinks, candy or supplements. If nothing else, steeping some ginger tea, or putting some fresh ginger shavings in hot water can help. Also, some women find that sucking on hard candy helps keep their mind off their stomach, so keeping peppermints, lemon candy, or suckers nearby might help.

Are there any medications that can decrease morning sickness? 

There are some medications that can be safe for use in pregnancy that can help to decrease morning sickness. Always consult your doctor before taking any supplements or over-the-counter medicine. Additionally, your doctor might be able to prescribe a medication to relieve morning sickness. Your doctor may prescribe an antiemetic, which is a medication that reduces nausea. You may alternatively be prescribed an antihistamine, which is generally an anti-allergy drug but can be used to treat nausea.

Our team at HELP Pregnancy Aid is here to help support you throughout your pregnancy. Whether you’re a first-time mom or have experienced pregnancy before, check out our scheduled pregnancy and parenting classes. Our classes are a great opportunity to get answers to some of those lingering questions you might have about pregnancy and to get connected with other moms as well.

Resources 
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/morning-sickness/symptoms-causes /syc-20375254 
https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/related-conditions/common-symptoms/vomiting-an d-morning-sickness/ 
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16566-morning-sickness-nausea-and-v omiting-of
pregnancy 
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/morning-sickness/diagnosis-treatme nt/drc-20375260