When do you start having morning sickness during pregnancy

In general, morning sickness starts around week 5 and peaks by week 9 or 10, when levels of the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) are highest. For most women, morning sickness fades between 14 and 20 weeks.

When does morning sickness start?

Morning sickness – also called nausea and vomiting of pregnancy – affects different expecting moms at different times (and some not at all). But it usually starts around week 5 or 6 of pregnancy. For some women, that telltale queasy feeling is one of the first giveaways that they're pregnant.

Unfortunately, morning sickness is very common. In fact, around 70 percent of pregnant women experience morning sickness in early pregnancy. In addition to nausea and vomiting, other symptoms of morning sickness include retching (dry heaving) and excessive salivation.

"Morning sickness" is a misleading term because the condition often starts in the morning and lasts all day. Some women feel better as the day wears on, but others find their symptoms get worse in the evening.

This unpleasant part of pregnancy is thought to be linked to the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and estrogen. Both hormones rise rapidly in early pregnancy, and women with higher hCG levels (like moms of multiples) often have more severe morning sickness.

For some expecting moms dealing with morning sickness, it's reassuring to keep in mind that in this case, feeling crappy means that your body is doing what it's supposed to – producing hormones that support your baby's development. But plenty of women with healthy pregnancies never have morning sickness, so if you don't experience it, don't be alarmed.

Morning sickness usually isn't harmful to your health or to your growing baby, but it makes it hard to get through the day. A "mild" case can mean feeling nauseated for a short time every day and vomiting once or twice. Many women describe it as feeling "blech" all the time. Many also have specific and significant food aversions. In more serious cases, nausea lasts for several hours and vomiting happens frequently.

And in the worst cases, some women experience hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), a severe form of morning sickness that can result in weight loss, dehydration, and other complications. Women with HG throw up so often that they can't keep down enough food and fluid, and may need to be treated in the hospital with IV fluids, vitamins, and medication. (If you aren't able to keep liquids down for more than 12 hours, or solid foods down for 24 hours, call your healthcare provider.)

Because morning sickness is common in pregnancy, some providers may minimize it. And some expecting moms are reluctant to seek help, in part because they're worried about taking medications that could affect their baby. But there are safe ways to get relief from morning sickness, including changes to your diet and lifestyle, natural remedies, and medication prescribed by your provider. And many experts say that getting early help for morning sickness is important to prevent it from getting more severe. So be sure to talk to your provider if you're suffering.

When does morning sickness peak?

It varies from woman to woman, but symptoms tend to be the worst at around 9 or 10 weeks, when levels of hCG are at their highest. At 11 weeks, hCG levels start to fall, and by 15 weeks they've dropped about 50 percent from their peak.

Scientists believe that morning sickness may be the body's way of protecting your baby in early pregnancy from toxins and potentially dangerous foods. This theory makes sense because the first trimester – when most women have the strongest morning sickness – is the crucial period of development when all of your baby's organs and physical structures form.

How long does morning sickness last?

Most women get relief from morning sickness by the second trimester, between 14 and 20 weeks. But some women with morning sickness continue to have symptoms beyond that, and a few women will experience it throughout their entire pregnancy.

If your morning sickness lasts beyond 20 weeks of pregnancy, occurs for the first time after 9 weeks of pregnancy, or lessens and then returns, play it safe and let your healthcare provider know. Persistent nausea and vomiting can sometimes indicate another medical problem – or just make you miserable – so it's important to be seen and possibly treated.

You're sailing along on your early pregnancy adventure — just little soreness in your breasts and an uptick in trips to the bathroom, but nothing you can't handle. Until one day, you wake up feeling queasy.

Does it seem like you've got a bout of seasickness? Or a bad case of butterflies in your tummy? That's how many pregnant women describe morning sickness. And chances are you'll be dealing with this unsettled stomach for at least the next few weeks.

What is morning sickness?

Morning sickness describes the nausea and vomiting that can happen when you’re pregnant. Since your sense of smell is extra keen when you’re expecting, you may also have strong aversions to certain foods and smells.

The “morning” part of this pregnancy symptom, however, is quite a misnomer. If you're among the estimated 3 in 4 expecting moms who suffer from morning sickness symptoms, you know that nausea and vomiting can actually hit at any time of the day or night.

When does morning sickness start?

Morning sickness symptoms typically start around week 6 of pregnancy towards the middle of month 2. No wonder it's one of the first telltale signs you're expecting — that's only a week after your hCG hormone levels have risen enough to produce a positive pregnancy test!

Some moms find that the nausea kicks in a little later between weeks 7 to 9, but luckily this not-so-fun pregnancy symptom usually disappears around the beginning of the second trimester.

How long does morning sickness last?

For the vast majority of expectant moms, nausea and vomiting typically subside between weeks 12 and 16 of pregnancy, with symptoms at their worst from weeks 10 to 16. 

That said, a few women continue to experience symptoms into the second trimester. And a very few, particularly those expecting multiples, may suffer from some morning sickness throughout their pregnancies. 

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More Early Pregnancy Symptoms

Morning sickness symptoms

Typical symptoms of morning sickness include:

• A nauseous, queasy feeling in the first trimester of pregnancy that many pregnant women liken to seasickness or car sickness
• Queasiness that often comes in the morning but can surface at any time of the day or night
• Strong aversions to certain smells and foods that are so powerful they can make you sick to your stomach
• A seasick feeling that's often either accompanied or immediately followed by hunger pangs
• A nausea that strikes after eating
• A nausea that's so strong it can lead to vomiting

Morning sickness itself doesn’t harm your baby. However you should see your doctor if you can’t keep foods or liquids down and are starting to lose weight. Your doctor will want to rule out hyperemesis gravidarum, or serious morning sickness that may require medical attention and possibly hospitalization to protect you and your baby. 

Morning sickness causes

What causes morning sickness? No one knows for sure, though there’s no shortage of theories. A few factors that may be at play include:

• Increased levels of the pregnancy hormone hCG, which peaks around the time morning sickness is worst
• Rising levels of estrogen and progesterone, which relax the muscles of the digestive tract and make digestion less efficient
• The metallic taste that many women experience during pregnancy
• A sharper sense of smell due to pregnancy hormones
• Heartburn or gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD), which are more common during pregnancy
• Excess saliva, which can increase feelings of queasiness

Not all pregnant women experience morning sickness — and not in the same way. Some have only occasionally queasy moments. Others feel nauseous around the clock but rarely or never throw up. A few vomit frequently.  

Several factors may increase your risk of experiencing morning sickness, including:

Hormone levels

Higher-than-average pregnancy hormone levels (because, for example, you’re carrying multiples) can increase morning sickness. 

While lower-than-average hormone levels may reduce or eliminate nausea, you can also have perfectly normal hormone levels and experience minimal (if any) morning sickness.

A sensitive brain

Some brains are simply more sensitive than others, which means they’re more likely to respond to hormones and other triggers of pregnancy queasiness. 

If you have a sensitive stomach — you always get car sick or seasick, for example — you’re more likely to have more severe nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. If you’re rarely queasy, you’re less likely to have morning sickness when you’re expecting. A history of migraines can also make you more likely to have morning sickness (especially hyperemesis gravidarum).

Stress

Emotional stress can trigger gastrointestinal upset. So it’s not surprising that morning sickness tends to worsen when you’re especially stressed.

That's not to say that morning sickness is in your head. But if you’re feeling particularly on edge, it might intensify nausea and vomiting.

Fatigue

Physical or mental fatigue can trigger morning sickness symptoms. On the flipside, severe morning sickness can increase fatigue.

First-time pregnancy 

Women who are pregnant for the first time tend to be more prone to morning sickness and have more severe morning sickness symptoms. 

If your body has never gone through pregnancy before, it may be less “prepared” for the surge of hormones and other changes you’re experiencing. You may also feel a bit anxious about the many unknowns of pregnancy, which could result in an upset stomach. 

If this isn’t your first baby, you may be distracted from nausea by the demands of caring for older children. And since your body has been there, done that, it may not be so shocked by the physical changes of pregnancy. 

Generalities are never 100 percent true for everyone. You may find, for example, that you’re queasier in your second pregnancy than you were in your first.

Genetics

If your mom or sister had morning sickness, some research suggests you’re more likely to develop the condition yourself. Of course you could glide through pregnancy with hardly a nauseous day.

Hot weather

Some women find that feeling hot brings on feelings of queasiness. But as is the case for all of these factors, morning sickness sometimes has no obvious trigger at all.

Morning sickness remedies

While the only way to get rid of the queasies is to give it some time, a few strategies can offer morning sickness relief:

Stamp out offensive smells

Thanks to your more sensitive sense of smell, some scents may be suddenly offensive or even sickening. So stay away from smells that trigger nausea, whether it’s the curry from your favorite takeout place or your formerly favorite perfume. 

A few other tactics can help. Try microwaving food, which usually results in fewer odors, and open the windows when you cook. Leave any place that smells so strong it’s making you ill. And wash your clothes more often with a lightly-scented (or unscented) detergent to get rid of encrusted smells.

Steer clear, too, of foods that you can’t stand the sight of. Raw chicken, for example, is a common culprit.

Wear Sea-Band wristlets

These 1-inch-wide bands put pressure on an acupressure point in the inner wrist. They’re widely available at drug and health food stores and have been shown to safely lessen pregnancy nausea. 

Your practitioner may also recommend a battery-operated wristband that uses gentle electrical stimulation (like Reliefband). Another option is PsiBands: two acupressure wristbands with adjustable knobs that you place on the inside of your wrists.

Rest and de-stress

Destressing can help minimize queasiness. Try classic stress-reduction techniques, like meditation and visualization or prenatal yoga. And try to hit the sack for as many hours as you can clock every night.

Take it slowly

Rushing tends to aggravate nausea. So take it easy in the morning: Linger in bed for a few extra minutes and nibble on a bedside snack before taking a long, warm shower. 

A leisurely morning may seem impossible if you have other kids. So try to wake up before they do, which gives you a few moments of quiet time. Or let your partner take the morning shift.

Try alternative remedies

A wide variety of complementary medical approaches can help minimize the symptoms of morning sickness, including acupuncture, acupressure, biofeedback and hypnosis. They’re definitely worth a try, especially if nothing else works.

But one alternative remedy you definitely should not use for morning sickness is marijuana or THC-containing products, which have not been shown to be safe during pregnancy. Both the Food & Drug Administration (FDA), and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) warn that cannabis can be dangerous for a developing fetus.

Keep your mouth squeaky clean

Regular brushing helps keep your mouth fresh and reduces queasiness in the future. It also decreases the risk of damage to teeth from vomiting.

Brush your teeth or rinse your mouth after each meal and after bouts of vomiting once your tummy has settled a bit. If your usual toothpaste contributes to nausea (toothpaste is a common trigger), ask your dentist to recommend another option or a good rinse. Or use plain water. 

Pop a supplement

Take your prenatal vitamin to compensate for any nutrients you may not be getting, at whatever time of day you’re least likely throw it back up. You may want to try taking it right before bed. Prenatal vitamins can actually decrease nausea symptoms — especially if you take a slow-release vitamin that’s higher in quease-combatting vitamin B6. 

If your current pill makes you nauseous, try taking it with a meal. Or consider a coated, powder or chewable supplement. 

If your symptoms are particularly rough, ask your practitioner about switching your prenatal vitamin for one with more B6 and less (or no) iron, which can be particularly tough on a sensitive tummy. Also ask whether you should take an additional vitamin B6 supplement or the antihistamine doxylamine (found in Unisom SleepTabs), or supplement with magnesium or a magnesium spray.

Don’t take any traditional or herbal medication for morning sickness unless it’s prescribed by your practitioner.

Ask your doctor about morning sickness medication

If your morning sickness is severe, you may want to talk to your doctor about taking a prescription drug that's been approved by the FDA to treat nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.

Both Diclegis or Bonjesta have been proven safe and effective. Your doctor may sometimes prescribe an anti-nausea medication (like scopolamine, Phenergan or Reglan).

Foods for morning sickness

A pregnancy diet that's high in protein and complex carbohydrates is not only good for baby, it can also help keep nausea at bay. Think whole grain toast and peanut butter, or hard cheese and crackers. Steer clear of greasy and processed fast foods, which are hard to digest and can make morning sickness worse. 

Wondering what to eat for morning sickness? A few of the best foods when you’re nauseous and vomiting during pregnancy include:

• Bland, easy-to-digest solids. Bananas, toast, rice, pretzels and applesauce are relatively palatable foods that may help you fit in some calories.
• Almond milk. A glass of cold almond milk has been touted to help settle an upset stomach and quell heartburn. 
• Soups, smoothies and shakes. It’s often easier to drink your vitamins and nutrients, especially if the liquid’s icy-cold. If you can’t stand water, try sucking on a Popsicle for hydration. 
• Carbonated drinks and some herbal teas. Getting enough fluids is more important than eating early on in pregnancy. You might find a carbonated drink or some types of pregnancy-safe herbal tea (especially with lemon or ginger) helpful when it comes to easing nausea. If drinking and eating at the same time strains your digestive tract, sip on fluids between meals. 
• Water-packed fruits and veggies. If fluids make you queasier, try eating solids with a high water content. Melons are often a good choice. 
• Ginger. Numerous studies have shown that ginger really does reduce nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. You may find even the smell of fresh ginger calms an upset stomach. Stock up on staples made with real ginger (check the label; many prepared foods don’t contain the real deal), such as ginger snaps, ginger ale, ginger tea, ginger candies, ginger biscuits or crystallized ginger. Use fresh ginger when you’re cooking (in soup or stir fry, for example), or add it to your tea. 
• Citrus fruit. Many people find the smell and taste of lemons and oranges comforting during pregnancy. Sour sucking candies or a sniff of freshly-cut lemon may be your ticket to relief.
• Peppermint candies. Sucking on peppermint-flavored candies sometimes helps relieve nausea.

A few other mealtime tips can help reduce nausea and vomiting during pregnancy:

Eat early

Nausea is most likely to strike when your stomach is empty, like it is following a night’s sleep. The acids churning around inside an empty tummy have nothing to digest but your stomach lining, which increases queasiness. 

Stock your nightstand full of trail mix, crackers and cereal. Munch on your stash first thing in the morning or if you wake up in the middle of the night to pee.

Have a bite right before bed

For the same reason that you want to eat early, it’s a good idea to have a light snack that's high in protein and complex carbs right before you go to sleep. Try whole grain toast spread with peanut butter or a slice of cheese with a handful of dried fruit.

Plan small, frequent meals

You’re more likely to feel nauseous when your tummy's empty. But eating too much at once can also contribute to queasiness. 

Try the Goldilocks rule: Don't overfill your belly, but don't let it get completely empty. Instead, keep your stomach a little bit filled all the time. 

Because smaller meals are easier to digest, they’re less likely to trigger both the queasies and heartburn. Aim for six mini-meals throughout the day rather than three large ones.

Keep a stash of on-the-go snacks

Don’t leave your house without a healthy stash of snacks that your tummy can handle. Pack a bag of dried fruit and nuts, granola bars, protein bars, dry cereal, whole grain crackers or soy chips in your bag so you’re prepared anytime you’re out.

Skip foods that turn you green

Avoid eating, seeing, smelling or even thinking about any dishes that trigger the queasies. Spicy and acidic foods may be particularly challenging, as well as anything with a strong aroma. 

Stick to foods that appeal to you 

Chances are you'll be able to find a few healthy foods that you can keep down. They’ll take care of most of your nutritional requirements until a more varied diet becomes palatable. 

Remember that no one food has a monopoly on any particular nutrient or meal. For example, you can get your vitamin A and protein from peaches and yogurt at dinner instead of broccoli and chicken. Or have pasta for breakfast instead of cereal.

Don't worry too much about getting your daily dozen in the short term. There will be plenty of time later on in your pregnancy for eating well. 

Swap out newly nausea-inducing foods

Couldn’t get enough bread at the start of your pregnancy, but now can’t stand the sight of toast?

Sometimes what starts out as a comfort food can become associated with nausea and trigger the queasies. Try a similar-but-different-enough comfort food instead, like crackers.

Can morning sickness hurt my baby?

Although you might be feeling sick, your baby almost definitely isn't. In the short term, not eating very much isn't a problem. Your baby is teeny tiny when morning sickness is at its worst and doesn't have very much in the way of nutritional needs yet. By the time he does, you'll almost certainly have your appetite back, in spades!

Even women who have such a hard time keeping food down that they actually lose weight during the first trimester aren’t hurting their babies, as long as they make up for the lost weight, as needed, in later months. 

Keep an eye on your urine: It should be clear or light-colored, like straw. If it’s darker, you may be dehydrated. Be sure to drink up, since staying hydrated during pregnancy ensures your baby is getting the essentials he needs for healthy development.

If you’re not able to keep anything down, including fluids, it may be a symptom of hyperemesis gravidarum — a more serious condition that affects up to 3 percent of women with morning sickness. If your nausea is continuous and severe and you vomit several times a day, make sure to see your doctor. You may require additional treatment to protect yourself and your baby.

Is it bad if I have no morning sickness?

While morning sickness can be an uncomfortable but reassuring reminder that you’re pregnant, it’s also perfectly fine if you rarely or never have a bout of queasiness while you're expecting.

Studies show that roughly 75 percent of all pregnant women experience nausea and/or vomiting during pregnancy. That means that approximately 25 percent don't.

If you're among those who have little or no morning sickness, consider yourself not just pregnant but lucky! Remember, too, that having no morning sickness at 6 weeks pregnant may only be temporary: Nausea and vomiting can kick in at any time during the second or third month of pregnancy.

From the What to Expect editorial team and Heidi Murkoff, author of What to Expect When You're Expecting. What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations. Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial policy.