Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, widely known as “morning sickness,” affect many expectant mothers. For most women, these symptoms do not threaten the health of the baby or mom. Knowing how to manage symptoms at home and when to reach out to a doctor can provide relief and peace of mind.
Steps taken before pregnancy may also help reduce nausea and vomiting. Whether you are preparing to become pregnant or are pregnant now, prioritizing your health and comfort serves you and your baby.
What is morning sickness?
Despite being called morning sickness, it can occur anytime, day or night. The clinical term is Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy (NVP). According to the American Pregnancy Association, up to 70% of expectant mothers experience nausea or vomiting early in their pregnancy.
“Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy is quite common. Thankfully, we have several options for treatment that can help to improve the early pregnancy experience. We do not want women to suffer in silence, and they should bring this concern to their provider.”
Taylar Swartz Summers, DO, MPH, FACOG
Mahaska Health OB, Labor & Delivery and GYN Co-Medical Director
Nausea and Vomiting Timeline
Morning sickness usually begins in the first trimester around weeks 4–6 of pregnancy and often peaks between weeks 7–12. Some women experience it again in the third trimester.
Symptoms for mild to moderate morning sickness include:
- Feeling queasy and unsettled
- Heartburn
- Having aversions to food
- Vomiting, but not to the point of weight loss
Severe morning sickness can develop into a condition called “hyperemesis gravidarum” that affects 1–3% of women. According to the FDA Office of Women’s Health, weight loss or dehydration may require medical treatment.
Symptoms of hyperemesis gravidarum may include:
- Severe, persistent nausea
- Vomiting more than 3 times a day
- Salivating a lot more than normal
- Weight loss (more than 5% of pre-pregnancy weight)
- Signs of dehydration (dark urine, dry skin, weakness, lightheadedness, or fainting)
- Constipation
- Not being able to keep food or liquids down
- Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
- Headaches
Possible Causes
While the cause of morning sickness remains unclear, research suggests that a hormone called GDF15 may contribute to nausea and vomiting during pregnancy in both mild and severe cases.
Other possible factors could be genetics, the baby’s gender, existing health conditions, or carrying multiples. Healthcare providers also believe it can be caused by:
- Low blood sugar
- Increased levels of pregnancy hormones such as human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), or estrogen
- Blood pressure fluctuations
The following may worsen symptoms:
- Stress and anxiety
- Being overtired
- Eating or smelling certain foods
- Motion sickness
- Heat or warm weather
Home remedies
If you are pregnant now, you may be able to find relief through diet and lifestyle changes.
- Drink at least 2 liters of water a day
- Eat small, frequent meals every 1–2 hours to avoid an empty stomach. Choose bland foods when possible.
- Avoid feeling overly full by separating solids and liquids, limiting large meals, and choosing lower-fat foods
- Avoid strong-tasting or strong-smelling foods
- Snack on high-protein foods between meals
- Try ice chips, popsicles, and very cold beverages
- Eat simple dry carbohydrates like crackers before getting out of bed in the morning
- Take your prenatal vitamins with a snack at bedtime
- Avoid odors, flickering lights, and other situations that trigger nausea
- Get plenty of rest
- Keep rooms well-ventilated, use a fan, or step outside for fresh air
- Try pleasant scents such as lemon, orange, or mint
- Don’t lie down after eating
- Rinse your mouth after you vomit
- Wear acupressure wristbands
- Ask your doctor about acupuncture
- Add ginger to your diet
- Try aromatherapy
Preparing for Pregnancy
“Studies have shown that initiating a prenatal vitamin for at least three months prior to pregnancy can help improve possible nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy. Maintaining a healthy, well-balanced diet and engaging in regular physical activity are important to enter your pregnancy at your very best.”
Taylar Swartz Summers, DO, MPH, FACOG
Mahaska Health OB, Labor & Delivery and GYN Co-Medical Director
Find the Right Treatment for You
Early treatment can help relieve symptoms, support a healthy pregnancy, and reduce the risk of complications. If you’re experiencing persistent nausea, vomiting that prevents you from keeping food or fluids down, signs of dehydration, or rapid weight loss during pregnancy, seek medical care.
Whether you’re planning for pregnancy or already expecting, the Mahaska Health team is here to answer your questions, provide personalized care, and help you feel your best.
About Mahaska Health
At Mahaska Health, our physicians deliver babies at our state-of-the-art birthing center, named among the nation’s 100 Top Hospitals®. Our Mahaska Health Team and OB physicians want the best for our patients.
Mahaska Health has been awarded both the Iowa Center of Excellence for Maternity Care and the Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield Blue Distinction Center+ for Maternity Care with expertise in delivering exceptional specialty care for our patients and their families.
For more information on Mahaska Health Maternity Care, visit mahaskahealth.org/labor-delivery or call 641.672.3360 to schedule an appointment.
