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Morning sickness

Contents of this page:

Illustrations

Morning sickness
Morning sickness

Alternative Names    Return to top

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

Definition    Return to top

Morning sickness is nausea and vomiting that can actually occur at any time of the day during pregnancy.

See also:

Considerations    Return to top

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 unless you lose weight, such as with severe vomiting. The amount of morning sickness during one pregnancy does not predict how you will feel in future pregnancies.

Causes    Return to top

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

Home Care    Return to top

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

Here are some more tips:

When to Contact a Medical Professional    Return to top

Call your doctor if:

What to Expect at Your Office Visit    Return to top

Your doctor will do a physical examination, including a pelvic exam, and look for any signs of dehydration.

Your doctor may ask the following questions:

Your doctor may do the following tests:

References    Return to top

Gordon MC. Maternal physiology. In: Gabbe SG, Niebyl JR, Simpson JL, eds. Obstetrics: Normal and Problem Pregnancies. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2007:chap 3.

Update Date: 12/1/2008

Updated by: A.D.A.M. Editorial Team: David Zieve, MD, MHA, Greg Juhn, MTPW, David R. Eltz. Previously reviewed by Peter Chen, MD, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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