Morning Sickness: Simple Answers and Quick Relief

About 70% of pregnant people get morning sickness. It usually starts around week 6, peaks around week 9, and often eases by week 14–16. But "morning" is misleading — nausea can happen any time of day. This short, practical guide tells you what causes it, what actually helps, and when you need medical care.

What causes morning sickness and who gets it?

Hormones (especially rising hCG and estrogen), a sensitive stomach, and smell or taste changes are the main drivers. First pregnancies, multiple pregnancies (twins), and a history of motion sickness or migraines raise the odds. Stress and fatigue make symptoms worse, but they aren’t the main cause.

Fast, practical tips to feel better now

Try these simple moves first — they help a lot of people:

- Eat small, dry snacks when you wake (plain crackers or toast). Avoid big meals on an empty stomach.

- Snack often: small meals every 2–3 hours keeps your blood sugar steady and stomach calm.

- Add ginger: ginger tea, ginger candies, or 250 mg–1 g of ginger powder daily can cut nausea for many.

- Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) 10–25 mg three times daily is a low-risk option that helps some people. Many guidelines recommend vitamin B6 alone or combined with doxylamine for persistent nausea.

- Try doxylamine (an over-the-counter antihistamine) at night if sleep is a problem. The combination of vitamin B6 + doxylamine is a common, studied option for pregnancy nausea.

- Wear acupressure wristbands over the P6 point (inner wrist). They’re cheap and safe for many.

- Avoid triggers: strong smells, greasy or spicy foods, and hot environments. Cold foods often smell less and can feel easier to tolerate.

- Stay hydrated: sip water, electrolyte drinks, or clear broths. Small sips often work better than gulping.

If OTC options and lifestyle changes don’t help, safe prescription anti-nausea meds include metoclopramide and promethazine; ondansetron is commonly used too, though it’s best to discuss risks and benefits with your clinician.

For severe cases (hyperemesis gravidarum), treatment can include IV fluids, vitamin replacement, and stronger antiemetics. That’s not rare — severe nausea affects a smaller group and needs prompt care.

When to call your provider: you can’t keep fluids down, you’ve lost more than 5% of your pre-pregnancy weight, you have fainting, dizziness, or dark urine, or home remedies don’t help after several days. Also call if you see ketones on a urine test — that means your body is breaking down fat for fuel and you may need medical treatment.

Morning sickness is uncomfortable but usually temporary. Try a few of the practical tips above and talk to your provider about safe meds if you’re still struggling. Small changes often make a big difference.