When Morning Sickness Starts: A Guide for Pregnancy Symptoms

When Does Morning Sickness Start?

At What Week of Pregnancy Does Morning Sickness Start?

Nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy are called morning sickness. This is a well-known pregnancy symptom. Morning sickness can occur at any time of the day (despite what the name suggests). The typical timeframe for morning sickness is as follows:

• Morning sickness starts: 4th to 6th week of pregnancy

• Morning sickness peaks: 9th to 10th week of pregnancy

• Morning sickness improves or stops: 12th to 14th week of pregnancy. 

Notably, it is reported by the majority of expecting mothers that the symptoms of morning sickness tend to go away completely around the 16th to 20th week. However, in some cases, nausea can last all the way until delivery. 

Variability in Start: Why Do I Not Have Morning Sickness at 6 Weeks?

It is not a cause for concern if you don’t have morning sickness at 6 weeks. Morning sickness is most common in the first three months of the pregnancy. But some people don’t have morning sickness at all, while others have it throughout the entire pregnancy. 

Experts estimate that approximately 70% of pregnant people experience nausea, and about 50% have vomiting during the early stages of pregnancy (first trimester). This means 30-50% of people don’t have morning sickness but still have healthy pregnancies. 

Can You Feel Nauseous at 4 Weeks Pregnant?

Yes, you can feel nauseous at 4 weeks pregnant. Morning sickness usually starts at around the sixth week in most women but can begin earlier.

Can You Have Morning Sickness at 3 Week Gestation?

Morning sickness (nausea and vomiting) doesn’t usually start until you are 4 to 6 weeks pregnant. At 3 weeks, you might have other symptoms of early pregnancy, such as fatigue, breast tenderness, and moodiness.

Early Signs: How Do I Know If I Have Morning Sickness?

You can suspect morning sickness if you have a missed period and symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. 

You can also time morning sickness. As mentioned, morning sickness symptoms tend to begin in the 4th to 6th week. In most pregnant women, morning sickness lasts until the 14th to 16th week. 

Your healthcare provider can confirm pregnancy with urine and blood tests.

What Does Morning Sickness Feel Like? 

Morning sickness involves throwing up (vomiting) or feeling like you’re going to throw up (nausea). These symptoms typically start in the 4th to 6th week and usually before the 9th week. Morning sickness peak symptoms occur in the 8th to 10th weeks. The symptoms usually get better after the first trimester finishes and the second trimester starts (13th week onwards). 

When Does Morning Sickness End?

Morning sickness ends in the second semester (14th to 16th weeks of pregnancy) in most women. Home remedies and medications can help to relieve nausea and vomiting in the meantime.

Save On Your Morning Sickness Medications

What Causes Morning Sickness

Hormonal Changes

Research suggests that morning sickness (nausea and vomiting) in early pregnancy occurs in many pregnant women due to rising levels of pregnancy hormones such as human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). HCG is produced by the placenta and is necessary for a healthy pregnancy. Levels of another pregnancy hormone, estrogen, also increase and may be associated with severe morning sickness.

Pregnant women who are carrying twins or multiples have higher HCG levels and are more likely to experience morning sickness. Studies have also found that people who have a severe form of morning sickness called hyperemesis gravidarum have higher HCG levels. HCG levels can be very high and cause nausea and vomiting with some pregnancy diseases such as hydatidiform mole.

However, more research is needed to understand the exact cause of symptoms of morning sickness. High levels of pregnancy hormones aren’t always linked to morning sickness. Morning sickness (called nausea and vomiting of early pregnancy) may be linked to placental growth, blood pressure fluctuations, and changes in carbohydrate metabolism.

Other Possible Causes and Risk Factors

Rarely do pregnant women experience nausea and vomiting during pregnancy due to other causes like gallbladder disease or thyroid disease. 

Risk factors for morning sickness include:

• Pre-pregnancy nausea and vomiting due to other causes such as migraine headaches or motion sickness.

• Morning sickness during your first pregnancy or previous pregnancies.

• Pregnancy with twins or multiples.

Risk factors for hyperemesis gravidarum (severe morning sickness) include:

• Hyperemesis gravidarum during a previous pregnancy.

• Family history of hyperemesis gravidarum.

• Pregnant with a girl.

Symptoms of Morning Sickness

Common Symptoms

Nausea (feeling like you’re going to throw up) and vomiting (throwing up) are the two main symptoms of morning sickness. Smelling or eating certain foods can trigger nausea and vomiting.

Symptoms of Severe Morning Sickness (Hyperemesis Gravidarum)

Hyperemesis gravidarum is a severe form of morning sickness that results in significant fluid loss and a loss in body weight by 5% or more. This condition may require treatment in the hospital.

Tips for Dealing With Morning Sickness

How Do Doctors Treat Morning Sickness?

Your OB/GYN may prescribe the following to treat morning sickness symptoms:

• Ginger supplements 

• Medications such as Bonjesta and Diclegis, which are a combination of pyridoxine (vitamin B6) and an antihistamine medication called doxylamine (Unisom) 

• Antihistamines such as cyclizine or promethazine

• Antipsychotics such as quetiapine, olanzapine, chlorpromazine, and prochlorperazine

• Antiemetic (anti-nausea) drugs such as ondansetron, domperidone, and metoclopramide

Hyperemesis gravidarum can cause you to lose weight and become dehydrated. You may need intravenous (IV) fluids and electrolyte replacement in the hospital if this occurs. Rarely a feeding tube is necessary to provide nutrition if there is continued weight loss due to severe vomiting.

Home Remedies to Relieve Morning Sickness

Check with your healthcare provider before taking any over-the-counter medications or dietary supplements during pregnancy. Here are some remedies you can try at home for relief from morning sickness:

• Ginger can help ease nausea but does not usually help with vomiting. You can try drinking ginger tea or ginger ale. Ginger lollipops, ginger candies, and ginger supplements are also available.

• Sucking on sour candy or sipping on lemon water may help reduce nausea. 

• Mint can mask odors that trigger nausea. 

• Bland, starchy crackers such as saltines can ease queasiness. 

• Staying well hydrated with water, lemon slush, or watermelon juice may help.

Lifestyle Adjustments for Nausea and Vomiting

The following lifestyle changes can help you manage morning sickness symptoms:

• Make bland food choices. Eat foods that are easy to digest, high-protein, and low-fat. Also, eat cold foods and/or bland foods (such as a BRAT diet consisting of bananas, rice, applesauce and toast) to ease nausea. Avoid spicy, greasy, or fatty foods which can make you feel sick and cause an upset stomach. 

• Eat frequent meals. An empty stomach and hunger pangs can make nausea worse. Keep a few crackers or dry toast on your bedside and eat them first thing in the morning if you’re feeling sick. Eat frequent small meals every 1-2 hours throughout the day rather than three large meals. 

• Stay well hydrated. Drink plenty of water, ginger ale, ginger tea, and other non-caffeinated beverages. Aim for 6 to 8 cups of fluids a day.

• Avoid nausea triggers. The taste or smell of certain foods can make your nausea worse. Avoiding these foods might prevent nausea and help you manage morning sickness.

• Take prenatal vitamins with a snack. If your prenatal vitamin makes you queasy, try taking it with a light snack at bedtime.

• Wear a wristband. Try wearing motion sickness, seasickness, or acupressure wristbands.

• Try alternative therapies. Acupressure, acupuncture, aromatherapy, and hypnosis help some pregnant people manage morning sickness and feel less nauseous.

When to Seek Medical Help

Call your OB/GYN or seek emergency medical care if you have morning sickness (pregnancy nausea and vomiting) accompanied by the following symptoms:

• Dizziness or fainting on standing up

• Racing heartbeat

• Inability to keep fluids down

• Little to no urine production

• Dark colored urine

• Nausea and vomiting that began after 16 weeks of pregnancy

Morning Sickness and Your Baby

Is Morning Sickness Dangerous?

Obstetricians and gynecologists say mild to moderate morning sickness is not dangerous. In fact, studies have found that pregnant women who experience morning sickness (nausea and vomiting) in the first trimester have a lower risk of miscarriage compared to those who do not experience these symptoms (feeling nauseous and/or vomiting). 

But remember, not having morning sickness during pregnancy is not something to be concerned about. You can have a healthy pregnancy even if you don’t have morning sickness at all.

Can Morning Sickness Affect the Baby’s Health?

Some research suggests that severe morning sickness (hyperemesis gravidarum) may lead to poor weight gain by the baby. This is because severe nausea and vomiting can cause dehydration and electrolyte imbalances in pregnant people. Your healthcare provider will monitor your baby’s growth carefully if you have severe morning sickness.