Morning Sickness
What to know about nausea and vomiting in pregnancy, from cited clinical sources.
Morning sickness
- The exact cause of morning sickness isn't known, though hormone changes are thought to play a role; it is very common, affecting many people especially during the first three months of pregnancy, and rarely a non-pregnancy condition like thyroid or gallbladder disease is behind severe nausea/vomiting instead.Source: Mayo Clinic
- Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy typically begins before 9 weeks of pregnancy; for most women it resolves by around 14 weeks, though for some it lasts weeks or months longer, and for a few it continues throughout the pregnancy.Source: ACOG
- Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy is common and, in its typical mild-to-moderate form, usually does not harm the developing fetus or mean anything is wrong with the pregnancy — though it can still disrupt daily life, and safe treatment options exist to help manage symptoms.Source: ACOG
- Hyperemesis gravidarum is the medical term for the most severe form of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy, distinct from typical morning sickness, and it affects up to about 3% of pregnancies; it is generally diagnosed when a woman has lost 5% or more of her pre-pregnancy body weight along with signs of dehydration, and it may require hospital treatment to restore fluids and stop the vomiting.Source: ACOG
- Practical management includes eating small, frequent 'mini meals' so the stomach is never empty (rather than three large meals), nibbling dry crackers or toast before getting out of bed, choosing bland/high-protein foods, staying hydrated, trying ginger, and steering clear of foods or smells that trigger nausea.Source: ACOG
- Warning signs that warrant calling an obstetric care provider include dehydration symptoms such as passing only a small amount of dark urine, being unable to urinate, being unable to keep liquids down, feeling dizzy or faint when standing, or having a racing or pounding heartbeat.Source: ACOG
Educational reference only — not medical advice. Every pregnancy is different. If you are experiencing possible signs of pregnancy loss, contact your doctor or midwife right away.