FAQs can be found at the end of the blog.

Morning sickness and pregnancy nausea are common in the first trimester, but what really helps? We asked our Vhi Midwife, Nora O’Callaghan, for trusted remedies and practical tips to ease symptoms during your pregnancy.

How common is morning sickness (pregnancy nausea)?

Morning sickness is the term used to describe pregnancy nausea that, in reality, happens at any time of the day for a lot of women. Up to 80% of pregnant women will experience nausea. Not all of those women may actually get sick – but they will experience symptoms like nausea, dehydration and loss of appetite. Typical pregnancy nausea will subside around the 16–20-week mark.

There’s a condition called ‘hyperemesis gravidarum’, which is severe pregnancy nausea. Women who have hyperemesis gravidarum will experience sickness throughout their entire pregnancy and might even have hospital admissions due to the sickness and related symptoms, such as dehydration. Around 2 in 100 women will get this severe pregnancy nausea. When you have hyperemesis gravidarum you’re likely to lose weight during pregnancy. This can cause added stress for women around their diet and nutrition during pregnancy.

When does morning sickness usually start and end during pregnancy?

Pregnancy nausea can start at any time during pregnancy, but often from around four or five weeks onwards. It usually starts to ease by the end of the first trimester but is not uncommon for some women to experience it up until the 16–20-week mark.

What causes women to have pregnancy nausea?

Hormones are the main cause of pregnancy nausea. In terms of likelihood, some risk factors include:

• Having a family history of morning sickness
• Having experienced morning sickness in a previous pregnancy
• If you’re expecting twins, triplets, or more
• If you often get migraines
• If you tend to have motion sickness
• If you’ve felt sick due to the contraceptive pill (containing oestrogen) or emergency pill in the past. This is because oestrogen levels increase during pregnancy, so will likely affect you as it did when taking the pill.

What remedies do you recommend for morning sickness?

1. Rest is key to helping with pregnancy nausea, but of course, that’s not always feasible when you’re working or have any other commitments or children! Find any opportunities you can to rest and take breaks, because fatigue is a trigger for nausea even when you’re not pregnant.
2. Eat small and often. If you have long gaps of time when your stomach is empty, feelings of nausea will come along easier. Focus on small, easily digestible snacks like crackers, cereal, a slice of toast, or a small portion of pasta – these are all simple carbs that are less likely to upset your stomach. Simple carbs also release energy quickly, so you feel the benefits almost immediately.
3. Eat before you get up out of bed in the morning. It’s a good idea to have some snacks on your bedside table that you can eat first thing. Wait about 20 minutes for digestion and then get up to go about your day.
4. Ginger can be very helpful for nausea, whether it’s gingernut biscuits, ginger tea or ginger root added to your food.
5. If you find smells can trigger nausea for you, try placing a peg or clip on your nose when cooking. Even better if someone else can do the cooking for you! If not, focus on meals that take minimal prep and don’t have too many rich, strong-smelling ingredients.

Top tip: When it comes to taking supplements recommended by your healthcare provider, such as folic acid, choose the time of day that you tend to feel the least nausea. This gives the supplements the best chance of absorption — there’s no point in taking supplement in the morning if you are vomiting!

Are there medications for pregnancy nausea?

Yes, your healthcare provider can prescribe medications specifically for pregnancy nausea. These are commonly taken up to four times a day and are effective for morning sickness symptoms and also hyperemesis gravidarum.

What about things women should stay away from when dealing with pregnancy nausea?

Some triggers will be worse for some women than others, but some general triggers we commonly see include:

• Strong smells when cooking, mainly fatty or spicy foods
• Strong smells of perfume or cleaning products
• Fried foods and other foods that are difficult to digest. They can really aggravate nausea. Focus on more bland, easy to digest foods like crackers, toast, plain yoghurt
• Very rich or strong-tasting food, sometimes very sweet foods too
• Too much caffeine can lead to dehydration, which will exacerbate nausea
• High-acid drinks like orange juice

Top tip: Stomach acid can damage teeth, so if you’ve been sick, gently rinse your mouth with water. Your teeth can be sensitive after stomach acid, so give them time to recover — wait about an hour before brushing. Also keep in mind that brushing your teeth can trigger your gag reflex.

What are the signs that a woman is experiencing more than regular morning sickness?

If you’re not tolerating any food or water throughout a full day either due to nausea or not being able to keep anything down, then you need to speak to your healthcare provider. They will create a plan to ensure you’re getting sufficient nutrients and hydration, either by IV fluids or prescribing medication to treat your symptoms.

Top tip: Always eat as soon as you’re hungry, rather than waiting for mealtimes. Carry snacks with you so you’re always prepared if hunger hits. Sugary snacks like breakfast bars are good too because they help you avoid dips in blood sugar levels, which can make you feel weak and unwell.

FAQs about morning sickness

Q. What is the best remedy for morning sickness during pregnancy?

A. Morning sickness remedies include eating small, frequent meals, resting when possible, and trying ginger in foods or drinks. Avoid strong smells and fatty foods, as these can trigger nausea.

Q. When does morning sickness usually start and stop?

A. Morning sickness often begins around 4–5 weeks of pregnancy and typically eases by the end of the first trimester. For some women, symptoms can last until 16–20 weeks.

Q. Is morning sickness normal in pregnancy?

A. Yes. Up to 80% of pregnant women experience nausea, and most symptoms are mild. Severe cases, called hyperemesis gravidarum, affect about 2 in 100 women and may require hospital care.

Q. What foods help with pregnancy nausea?

A. Plain, easy-to-digest foods like crackers, toast, cereal, and pasta can help. Ginger tea or biscuits are also useful. Avoid rich, spicy, or fried foods that can worsen nausea.

Q. When should I see a doctor about morning sickness?

A. If you can’t keep food or water down for a full day, or you notice signs of dehydration, contact your GP or midwife. Severe nausea may need medication or IV fluids.

This content is for information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek advice from your GP or an appropriate medical professional if you have concerns about your health or before commencing a new healthcare regime. If you believe that you are experiencing a medical emergency call 999 / 112 or seek emergency assistance immediately.