How to deal with morning sickness

Eight out of ten women experience some form of morning sickness in early pregnancy, so grab the bucket and let’s talk about how to get through this.

When does morning sickness start?

Pregnancy sickness may develop 4 – 6 weeks after your last period and peak between 9 – 16 weeks. It can hit you at any time of day, not just in the morning.

How long does morning sickness last? For many women, symptoms improve or settle between weeks 16 and 20.

What causes morning sickness?

The exact cause is not fully understood, but hormonal changes in early pregnancy are thought to play a role.

Levels of hCG (the hormone produced in early pregnancy) rise quickly and peak at around the same time morning sickness tends to be at its worst. Rising oestrogen is thought to play a part too. Heightened sensitivity to smells and a more sensitive stomach can add to it.

It’s a sign your body is adjusting to pregnancy, and for most women, it settles as hormone levels level out.

Symptoms of morning sickness

Morning sickness affects each pregnant woman a little differently, but the most common symptoms include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting or dry retching
• Food smell or sight sensitivity

How to relieve morning sickness

Healthcare providers often recommend the following for women suffering from morning sickness:

• Eat plain crackers as soon as you wake up
• Try brushing your teeth later on in the day when your tummy feels more settled
• Try small, frequent meals or snack on starchy foods such as dry toast, crackers, rice or pasta throughout your day; this will help blood sugar levels
• Cold foods may go down easier than hot ones
• Drink plenty of water, small amounts but often (suck on crushed ice if you find it difficult drinking water)
• Avoid tight waistbands
• Sleep and rest. Don’t try to keep the same schedule or level of activity as you did before your pregnancy
• Drink ginger tea or eat food containing ginger – ginger can settle an upset stomach, easing nausea and vomiting in pregnancy for some women

You are wonderfully unique, so what helps with morning sickness for one woman may not work for you. Try different things and don’t worry.

If you’re wondering, “Does morning sickness affect the baby?”, the answer is no: mild to moderate morning sickness usually does not put your baby at increased risk, but severe or ongoing vomiting needs medical advice.

Severe morning sickness

Call your midwife, GP or 111 if you:

• Are vomiting often
• Have very dark-coloured urine
• Have not urinated for more than 8 hours
• Cannot keep food or fluids down for 24 hours
• Feel very weak, dizzy or faint when standing
• Have stomach pain and a high temperature
• Vomit blood
• Have lost weight.

If this is happening to you, then you might have something called hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), which is thought to affect around 1 to 3 in every 100 pregnant women. HG can lead to dehydration and weight loss, so it is important to get treatment early. If treated effectively, it is unlikely to harm your baby.

Abnormal morning sickness

If you vomit more than 4 times a day, or notice your wee is darker, or you start to lose weight and you struggle to keep your fluids down then it’s time to call your midwife or doctor. If this is happening to you then you might have something called hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), though it occurs in less than 2% of pregnant women. HG is serious and if you are at all concerned it’s best to consult your midwife or doctor immediately as it can affect you and your baby’s health if ignored.

When to seek further support

Feeling sick is a normal part of early pregnancy for most women, and it usually eases as you move on from the first trimester. But if you have severe vomiting, you can’t keep fluids down, or you’re worried at any point, speak to your midwife or GP.

For more guidance and tips, explore the Capricare® Parent Support Hub.