What Is Morning Sickness? A Plain-Language Guide to Nausea and Vomiting in Pregnancy
Updated: 2 days ago
Medically reviewed by Dr. Baraa Alnahhal, MD · Last reviewed: October 2026
Quick Answer: Key Facts About Morning Sickness
Morning sickness is nausea and vomiting during pregnancy that can happen at any time of day. [1] It is most common in the first three months and typically improves by the middle or end of the second trimester. [1] Frequent snacks, fluids and ginger may help. [2] Call your doctor if you cannot keep liquids down, have little urine or feel faint. [1]
Question | Answer |
What is morning sickness? | Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy — it can happen at any time of day or night, not just the morning. [1] |
When does it happen? | It's most common in the first three months, usually starts before nine weeks, and typically improves by the middle or end of the second trimester. [1] |
What causes it? | The cause is not known, but hormone changes might play a role. [1] |
What helps? | Snacking often (especially dry crackers before getting up), sipping 6–8 cups of caffeine-free fluids a day, ginger, and — with your provider's okay — vitamin B-6 or over-the-counter options like doxylamine. [2] |
When should you call the doctor? | If you can't keep liquids down, have little or no urine or dark urine, feel dizzy or faint when standing, or your heart races. [1] |
What the research says
No single treatment has strong evidence behind it. A Cochrane review of 41 trials (5,449 women) found that ginger may help but the evidence was limited and not consistent, and there was only limited evidence for vitamin B6, doxylamine-pyridoxine, and other anti-nausea drugs for mild to moderate symptoms. (Matthews et al., Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2015) [3]
Ginger and vitamin B6 each beat placebo in a small trial. In 77 women with mild to moderate nausea and vomiting at 6–16 weeks, both ginger (p = 0.039) and vitamin B6 (p = 0.007) outperformed placebo on symptom scores, with no significant difference between them (p = 0.128). Placebo also improved some symptoms. (Sharifzadeh et al., J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med, 2018) [4]
Severe vomiting can take an emotional toll. A meta-analysis found higher depression scores (standardized mean difference 1.22; 95% CI 0.80–1.64) and anxiety scores (0.86; 95% CI 0.53–1.19) in women with hyperemesis gravidarum than in women without significant nausea and vomiting. (Mitchell-Jones et al., BJOG, 2017) [5]
What Is Morning Sickness?
Morning sickness is feeling like throwing up — called nausea — and throwing up — called vomiting — that occurs during pregnancy. Despite its name, morning sickness can strike at any time of the day or night. [1]
Many people have morning sickness, especially during the first three months of pregnancy. [1] But some people have it all through pregnancy. Home remedies — such as snacking during the day, sipping ginger ale, or taking medicine you can buy without a prescription — might help relieve the nausea. [1]
Rarely, morning sickness becomes so bad that it turns into hyperemesis gravidarum (hy-per-EM-eh-sis grav-ih-DAR-um). This happens when the nausea and vomiting cause serious fluid loss or a loss of more than 5% of pre-pregnancy body weight. [1] Hyperemesis gravidarum might require going to a hospital for treatment. [1]
When Does Morning Sickness Start, and When Does It End?
Nausea, with or without vomiting, is common in pregnancy. Morning sickness is most common during the first three months of pregnancy. It typically starts before nine weeks. [1] Symptoms usually improve by the middle or end of the second three months of pregnancy. [1]
Stage of pregnancy | What typically happens |
Before 9 weeks | Morning sickness typically starts |
First three months | Most common period for nausea and vomiting |
Middle of the second three months | Symptoms usually begin to improve |
End of the second three months | Symptoms usually improve for most people |
Morning sickness is often brought on by smelling certain odors or eating certain foods. [1] For some people, it continues all through pregnancy. [1]
What Causes Morning Sickness?
The cause of morning sickness is not known. Hormone changes might play a role. [1]
Rarely, a medical condition not related to pregnancy — such as thyroid or gallbladder disease — can cause serious nausea or vomiting. [1] That's one reason it's worth describing your symptoms to your care provider rather than assuming it's "just pregnancy."
Who Is More Likely to Get It?
Morning sickness can affect anyone who's pregnant, but it might be more likely for those who meet certain criteria.
Risk factor | Why it matters |
Had nausea or vomiting from other causes before pregnancy [1] | For example, motion sickness or migraines |
Had morning sickness during a prior pregnancy [1] | Past episodes raise the likelihood of new ones |
Are pregnant with twins or other multiples [1] | Carrying more than one baby increases the odds |
What Is Hyperemesis Gravidarum, and Who Gets It?
Hyperemesis gravidarum is the severe form of morning sickness — nausea and vomiting that cause serious fluid loss or the loss of more than 5% of pre-pregnancy body weight. [1] It might require going to a hospital for treatment.
Can Morning Sickness Cause Harm?
Mild nausea and vomiting of pregnancy usually won't cause harm. [1]
If left untreated, severe nausea and vomiting can cause a lack of bodily fluids — a condition known as dehydration. It also may lead to an imbalance in electrolytes — the salts in blood that control the balance of fluids in the body. [1] Severe nausea and vomiting may result in less urine output. [1]
Research is mixed on whether hyperemesis gravidarum causes poor weight gain for the baby during pregnancy. [1] Severe nausea and vomiting can also take an emotional toll: a systematic review found more depression and anxiety in women with hyperemesis gravidarum than in women without significant nausea and vomiting. [5]
When Should You Call Your Doctor?
Contact your health care provider about morning sickness if you notice any of the warning signs listed here. [1]
Warning sign | Why it matters |
No urine, or only a little urine that's a dark color | A sign of possible dehydration |
You can't keep liquids down | Fluids can't be replaced |
You feel dizzy or faint when you stand up | Possible dehydration and fluid loss |
Your heart races | Your body may be struggling with fluid and salt levels |
How Is Morning Sickness Treated?
Morning sickness is typically diagnosed based on symptoms alone. [2] If your health care provider suspects hyperemesis gravidarum, you may need an exam along with urine and blood tests. [2]
Treatments for morning sickness include vitamin B-6 supplements (pyridoxine), ginger, and drugs such as doxylamine (Unisom). [2] Continuing symptoms might require prescription anti-nausea medications. [2]
Vomiting during pregnancy may cause dehydration and an imbalance of electrolytes, such as sodium or potassium. [2] For moderate to severe morning sickness, extra fluids and prescription medicine are recommended. [2]
If you have hyperemesis gravidarum, you may be given fluids through a vein and anti-nausea medicine in a hospital. [2] Rarely, continuing weight loss might lead to the need for a feeding tube. [2]
Always check with your care provider before taking any medicine or supplements during pregnancy.
Treatment | What it is | When it's used |
Vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine) | A vitamin supplement | An early treatment option for nausea |
Ginger | Capsules, candies, snaps, real ginger ale, or fresh-grated ginger tea | Helps some people; also a common home remedy |
Doxylamine (Unisom) | An over-the-counter drug | An early treatment option for nausea |
Prescription anti-nausea medication | Stronger medicine prescribed by your provider | When symptoms continue after basic options |
Extra fluids | Drinking more to replace losses | Moderate to severe morning sickness |
IV fluids + anti-nausea medicine in hospital | Fluids given through a vein | Hyperemesis gravidarum |
Feeding tube | Nutrition delivered through a tube | Rarely, when weight loss continues |
What Home Remedies May Help?
Morning sickness may be eased by choosing bland, easy-to-digest foods, snacking often, drinking plenty of fluids and avoiding nausea triggers. [2]
Choose foods carefully. Select foods that are high in protein, low in fat, and easy to digest. Avoid greasy, spicy, and fatty foods. Bland foods — such as bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast — may be easy to digest. Salty foods might be helpful, as are foods containing ginger, such as ginger lollipops. [2]
Snack often. Before getting out of bed in the morning, eat a few soda crackers or a piece of dry toast. Nibble throughout the day rather than eating three larger meals. You don't want to get too full, but an empty stomach can also make nausea worse. [2]
Drink plenty of fluids. Sip water, real ginger ale, or ginger tea. Try to drink 6 to 8 cups of caffeine-free fluids each day. [2]
Pay attention to nausea triggers. Avoid foods or smells that seem to make your nausea worse. [2]
Take care with prenatal vitamins. If you feel queasy after taking prenatal vitamins, take them with a snack or just before bed — or try chewable or gummy versions. If these steps don't help, ask your health care provider about other ways to get the iron and vitamins you need during pregnancy. [2]
Rinse your mouth after vomiting. The acid from your stomach can damage the enamel on your teeth. If you can, rinse with a cup of water mixed with a teaspoon of baking soda to help protect your teeth. [2]
Home remedy | What to do |
Food choices | High-protein, low-fat, easy-to-digest foods; bland foods like bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast; avoid greasy, spicy, fatty foods |
Snacking | Soda crackers or dry toast before getting out of bed; nibble all day instead of three large meals |
Fluids | Sip water, real ginger ale, or ginger tea; aim for 6–8 cups of caffeine-free fluids daily |
Triggers | Avoid foods or smells that worsen nausea |
Prenatal vitamins | Take with a snack or before bed, or try chewable/gummy versions |
Teeth care | Rinse with a cup of water plus a teaspoon of baking soda after vomiting to protect enamel |
Are Alternative Remedies Worth Trying?
Various alternative remedies have been suggested for morning sickness [2] — though the evidence for most is mixed or limited.
Remedy | What the evidence says |
Acupressure wristbands | Available over the counter in most pharmacies; studies show mixed results, but some people find them helpful |
Acupuncture | |
Ginger | Capsules, candies, snaps, real ginger ale, and tea with fresh-grated ginger help some people |
Hypnosis | Little research, but some people have found relief |
Aromatherapy | Little research; certain scents from essential oils help some people |
One important warning: people who live where marijuana is legal might be tempted to try it to ease nausea. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists warns that pregnant people shouldn't use marijuana, because its effects on the pregnant person and baby haven't been well studied. [2] Using marijuana may also cause a nausea and vomiting syndrome called cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome. [2]
Always check with your health care provider before using any herbal remedies or alternative treatments to relieve morning sickness.
Can Morning Sickness Be Prevented?
There's no sure way to prevent morning sickness. However, taking a daily vitamin supplement before and during pregnancy might help. [1]
How Should You Prepare for a Doctor's Appointment?
You can usually wait until your regular prenatal appointment to talk about morning sickness. Be prepared to describe how often you have nausea, how often you vomit, whether you can keep down fluids, and whether you've tried home remedies. [2]
If possible, have a family member or friend come along to help you remember what your provider says, and bring a notepad to jot down important information.
Before your visit, make a list of:
Prepare | Details |
Your symptoms | Even those you don't think are related to your morning sickness |
All medicines, vitamins, and supplements | How much you take and how often |
Questions to ask | Write them down so you don't forget in the moment |
Useful questions include: Is pregnancy causing my symptoms, or could it be something else? Do I need tests? Will I have nausea and vomiting throughout my pregnancy? Is there medicine I can take to help with my symptoms? Does morning sickness pose any risk to my baby? What can I eat or drink to help my queasiness?
What to expect from your doctor: Your provider might ask how bad your symptoms are and whether you can keep food down; whether you notice certain triggers; whether your symptoms occur at certain times of day or all the time; and what, if anything, makes you feel better or worse.
What is the bottom line on morning sickness?
Morning sickness is one of the most common experiences in early pregnancy, and for most people it's uncomfortable rather than dangerous. It usually begins before nine weeks and fades as pregnancy moves past the first trimester. The name is misleading — it can hit at any hour — but the good news is that simple habits often make a real difference: eating small, bland, protein-rich snacks; sipping fluids throughout the day; and using ginger or over-the-counter options like vitamin B-6 and doxylamine with your provider's approval.
The warning signs are worth memorizing. If you can't keep liquids down, notice little or dark urine, feel dizzy when standing, or your heart races, contact your provider [1] — and if severe vomiting leads to serious fluid loss or more than 5% body weight loss, hospital care with IV fluids may be needed. [1] [2]
If nausea and vomiting are making your pregnancy harder, talk to your health care provider. Relief options exist at every level — from a few crackers and a cup of ginger tea to prescription medicine and hospital care — and you don't have to tough it out alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is morning sickness?
Morning sickness is nausea (feeling like throwing up) and vomiting (throwing up) that occurs during pregnancy. Despite its name, it can happen at any time of day or night.
Why is it called morning sickness if it happens all day?
The name comes from the fact that many people feel worst in the morning, but it can strike at any time of the day or night.
What causes morning sickness?
The cause is not known. Hormone changes might play a role. Rarely, a non-pregnancy condition such as thyroid or gallbladder disease can cause serious nausea or vomiting.
When does it start and when does it end?
Morning sickness is most common during the first three months of pregnancy, typically starts before nine weeks, and usually improves by the middle or end of the second three months.
What home remedies may help?
Snacking often (dry crackers or toast before getting out of bed), eating high-protein, low-fat, easy-to-digest foods, sipping 6–8 cups of caffeine-free fluids daily, avoiding trigger smells and foods, and taking prenatal vitamins with a snack or before bed.
What over-the-counter options are used?
Vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine), ginger, and doxylamine (Unisom) are treatment options — but always check with your care provider before taking any medicine or supplement during pregnancy.
What is hyperemesis gravidarum?
The severe form of morning sickness, where nausea and vomiting cause serious fluid loss or the loss of more than 5% of pre-pregnancy body weight. It might require hospital treatment with IV fluids and anti-nausea medicine.
When should I call my doctor?
If you produce no urine or only a little dark urine, can't keep liquids down, feel dizzy or faint when you stand, or your heart races.
Is morning sickness harmful to my baby?
Mild to moderate morning sickness usually does not harm the baby. Severe vomiting that causes weight loss or dehydration needs treatment, so tell your provider if you cannot keep food or fluids down.
Can morning sickness last the whole pregnancy?
For most people it eases during the second trimester, but for some it lasts longer. Let your provider know if nausea and vomiting continue or get worse.
Related Reading
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References
Mayo Clinic Staff. Morning sickness - Symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic. October 14, 2025. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/morning-sickness/symptoms-causes/syc-20375254
Mayo Clinic Staff. Morning sickness - Diagnosis and treatment. Mayo Clinic. October 14, 2025. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/morning-sickness/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20375260
Matthews A, et al. Interventions for nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;2015(9):CD007575. PMID 26348534. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD007575.pub4
Sharifzadeh F, et al. A comparison between the effects of ginger, pyridoxine (vitamin B6) and placebo for the treatment of the first trimester nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP). J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2018;31(19):2509-2514. PMID 28629250. https://doi.org/10.1080/14767058.2017.1344965
Mitchell-Jones N, et al. Psychological morbidity associated with hyperemesis gravidarum: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BJOG. 2017;124(1):20-30. PMID 27418035. https://doi.org/10.1111/1471-0528.14180
Medical disclaimer
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment decisions, especially during pregnancy.
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