Morning Sickness: What Really Helps

They call it “morning” sickness, but most pregnant women will tell you it doesn’t keep office hours at all. It turns up in the morning, at lunchtime, in the evening, or at the sight of a perfectly innocent sandwich. If you’re in the thick of it right now – heartfelt sympathy. It’s exhausting, and you have every right to be fed up with it.

But there’s good news too: for most women the nausea is temporary, usually doesn’t harm the baby, and there are ways to make it more bearable. Let’s look at them.

The short answer: It usually starts before week 9 and eases between weeks 12 and 20 for most women. Eat little and often, have something dry before you get up and sip fluids through the day. Contact your doctor the same day if you can’t keep any fluids or food down for more than 24 hours.

When does it start and when does it stop?

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the nausea usually starts before week 9. For most women it eases between weeks 12 and 20, according to the NHS. Yes, there’s light at the end of the tunnel. 🌤️

What can help at home?

The NHS and ACOG suggest some pretty practical things:

• Eat little and often. An empty stomach often makes nausea worse.
• Something dry before you get up – a piece of dry toast or a plain cracker, while you’re still in bed.
• Sip fluids throughout the day rather than drinking a whole glass at once.
• Go for simple foods that are high in carbohydrates and low in fat – bread, rice, potatoes, pasta.
• Keep away from smells that set you off. Open the windows often.
• Foods and drinks with ginger help some women, although the evidence isn’t very strong. If you’re thinking about a ginger supplement, ask your doctor first.
• Rest. Tiredness often makes nausea worse.

Is there treatment if that’s not enough?

Yes. You don’t have to “just put up with it”, and it’s not a sign of weakness. ACOG stresses that early treatment helps keep nausea from becoming severe. There are options considered safe in pregnancy – for example, ACOG lists vitamin B6 as one of the first choices. But what’s right for you, and in what amount, is for your doctor to decide. Don’t start medicines or supplements on your own – check with your doctor.

When is it time to call your doctor?

For a small number of women – up to about 3%, according to ACOG – the sickness is so severe that it’s called hyperemesis gravidarum (the most serious form of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy). It’s treated successfully, but it needs medical help. Contact your doctor the same day if:

• you can’t keep any fluids or food down for more than 24 hours;
• your wee is dark or you haven’t had a wee for more than 8 hours;
• you feel very weak, dizzy or faint when you stand up;
• you have tummy pain, a fever or blood in your vomit;
• you’re noticeably losing weight.

If you feel extremely unwell or close to fainting, don’t wait – call 112.

For the dads

Only one thing is asked of you: don’t say “well, just don’t think about it”. Instead, take over the cooking, take the bins out and bring a glass of water at the right moment. That’s real help.

📖 Read next: Anxiety During Pregnancy: Is It Normal and What Helps · Pregnancy by Trimester: What’s Happening to You and Your Baby

In short

Morning sickness isn’t your fault and it’s not a test of patience. Try the little tricks, ask for help when they’re not enough, and allow yourself slower days. This phase will be behind you – and you’ll come through it stronger than you think. 💛

Sources: NHS – Vomiting and morning sickness; ACOG – Morning Sickness: Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy; NHS – Severe vomiting in pregnancy.