How Moms-to-Be Can Manage Morning Sickness

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

Basic Facts About Morning Sickness

Morning sickness is very common. Most pregnant women have at least some nausea, and about one-third have vomiting.

Morning sickness most often begins during the first month of pregnancy and continues through the 14th to 16th week (3rd or 4th month). 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. Mild weight loss during the first trimester is not uncommon when women have moderate symptoms, and is not harmful to the baby.

The amount of morning sickness during one pregnancy does not predict how you will feel in future pregnancies.

Causes

The exact cause of morning sickness is unknown. It may be caused by hormone changes or lower blood sugar during early pregnancy. Emotional stress, fatigue, traveling, or some foods can make the problem worse. Nausea in pregnancy is more common and can be worse with twins or triplets.

Caring for Yourself

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

A few soda crackers or dry toast when you first wake up, even before you get out of bed in the morning.
A small snack at bedtime and when getting up to use the toilet at night.
Avoid large meals; instead, snack as often as every 1 to 2 hours during the day and drink plenty of fluids.
Eat foods high in protein and complex carbohydrates, such as peanut butter on apple slices or celery; nuts; cheese; crackers; milk; cottage cheese; and yogurt; avoid foods high in fat and salt, but low in nutrition.
Ginger products (proven effective against morning sickness) such as ginger tea, ginger candy, and ginger soda.

Here are some more tips:

Acupressure wrist bands or acupuncture may help. You can find these bands in drug, health food, and travel and boating stores. If you are thinking about trying acupuncture, talk to your health care provider and look for an acupuncturist who is trained to work with pregnant women.
Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke.
Avoid taking medicines for morning sickness. If you want to try this approach, ask your provider first.
Keep air flowing through rooms to reduce odors.
When you feel nauseated, bland foods like gelatin, broth, ginger ale, and saltine crackers can soothe your stomach.
Take your prenatal vitamins at night. Increase vitamin B6 in your diet by eating whole grains, nuts, seeds, and peas and beans (legumes). Talk to your provider about possibly taking vitamin B6 supplements. Doxylamine is another medicine that is sometimes prescribed and is known to be safe.

When to Contact Your Doctor

Contact your provider if:

Morning sickness does not improve, despite trying home remedies.
Nausea and vomiting continue beyond your 4th month of pregnancy. This happens to some women. In most cases this is normal, but you should have it checked out.
You vomit blood or material that looks like coffee grounds. (Contact your provider immediately.)
You vomit more than 3 times per day or you cannot keep food or liquid down.
Your urine appears to be concentrated and dark, or you urinate very infrequently.
You have excessive weight loss.

“Courtesy of MedlinePlus from the National Library of Medicine”https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003119.htm, accessessed April 15, 2026

Review Date 8/18/2025

Updated by: LaQuita Martinez, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Emory Johns Creek Hospital, Alpharetta, GA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

Cover image by Photo by Ivan S on Pexels.com

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Author: Aletha Cress Oglesby, M.D.

As a family physician, I explore the HEART of HEALTH in my work, recreation, community, and through writing. My blog, Watercress Words, informs and inspires us to live in health. I believe we can turn our health challenges into healthy opportunities. When we do, we can share the HEART of health with our families, communities, and the world. Come explore and share with me. View all posts by Aletha Cress Oglesby, M.D.