When Does Morning Sickness Start And End?

Nausea and vomiting are two of the most well known symptoms of pregnancy. It typically begins during the first trimester, and tends to subside as a woman enters the second trimester of pregnancy – although some women may suffer from nausea and vomiting right up until birth.

Each woman will have vastly different experiences of morning sickness during pregnancy. In this article, we’ll be discussing everything you need to know about morning sickness – covering symptoms, how long it lasts, important warning signs, and ways of finding nausea relief. 

What Is Morning Sickness?

‘Morning sickness’ refers to the symptoms of vomiting and nausea many women experience in the early stages of pregnancy. 

It’s very common to experience morning sickness during pregnancy, affecting up to 80% of pregnant women. While the exact cause is unknown, it is agreed to be largely hormonally driven, triggered by the significant fluctuations in hormone levels that occur during pregnancy.

Morning sickness can present in more ways than just nausea and vomiting – symptoms can also include food aversions and excess saliva. Contrary to its name, it can affect pregnant women at any time, and symptoms may last throughout the day – you may even experience morning sickness at night.

When Does Morning Sickness Start and End?

Morning sickness usually appears during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy (most commonly between weeks 5 and 6), and can peak at around week 9 or 10, when hCG hormone levels are at their highest.

You may notice your symptoms begin to subside as you enter your second trimester, at about 14-20 weeks. That being said, morning sickness has been known to begin earlier or last longer for some women – some may even experience the symptoms throughout the entire pregnancy in some cases.

Symptoms of nausea and vomiting are one of the telltale signs many women look out for when trying to conceive. If you’re looking to try a more data backed approach to getting pregnant, you could try our Mira Hormone Monitor. By testing daily using our Wands, which sync automatically with the Mira App, our monitor helps you track hormone shifts if you are still TTC, and can also monitor fertility before confirming pregnancy.

Disclaimer: The Mira Hormone Monitor, Wands, Mira App and BBT tracking tools are intended for fertility awareness and cycle tracking purposes only. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, prevent any disease, to diagnose or track pregnancy, or serve as a form of contraception. The information provided through these tools should not substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Individual results and cycle patterns may vary. Users should always consult with qualified healthcare providers regarding fertility, conception, and reproductive health matters.

Symptoms of Morning Sickness

While they may be among the most prominent symptoms for many women, morning sickness can be more than just nausea and vomiting.

See below for some other key symptoms that may be less obvious indicators of ‘morning sickness’ in early pregnancy:

• Nausea (with or without vomiting)

• Retching or dry heaving

• Increased saliva (ptyalism)

• Loss of appetite or food aversions

• Heightened sensitivity to smells

• Feeling seasick, dizzy, or lightheaded

Note: If you are experiencing any of these symptoms and are struggling to keep food or fluids down, we recommend that you consult your doctor – it could be hyperemesis gravidarum.

Causes and Risk Factors

An exact, singular cause of morning sickness is unknown, but medical experts widely believe it to be due to the significant hormonal and physiological changes that a woman undergoes during pregnancy, particularly in the early stages. Your body is beginning to prepare to accommodate your baby, and will change dramatically over the nine months of pregnancy – not only physically, but hormonally too. 

Your hCG levels will begin to spike, and you may also experience significant changes in your estrogen, progesterone, and blood sugar levels. The Mira Hormone Health Clinic for Fertility is a useful service for women who are TTC or in need of support before or during early pregnancy, offering insights into the connection between your hormonal health and any changes or very early signs of pregnancy.

Some also believe that morning sickness may be a side effect of certain evolutionary traits women develop during pregnancy, such as an enhanced sense of smell, which may cause food aversions and nausea. Some also believe in the possible evolutionary protection theory, where a woman develops a natural avoidance of toxins as she begins her pregnancy.

While morning sickness affects the vast majority of pregnant women, there are certain demographics who may be more likely to experience the symptoms. These include:

• First pregnancies

• Twin or multiple pregnancies

• History of motion sickness or migraines

• Other women in your family had morning sickness

• You’re obese (BMI rating 30+)

How to Manage Morning Sickness?

Diet Tips

So, how can you manage morning sickness?

While there is no direct cure, there are some lifestyle changes and home remedies for nausea you could try implementing to alleviate some symptoms and make them more manageable. 

Diet changes can be helpful to many women looking to minimize their symptoms. Try eating small, frequent meals, avoiding spicy, greasy, or overly sweet foods that may be more likely to trigger nausea. Instead, try opting for bland foods that fight nausea during pregnancy, such as toast, bananas, cereals, or rice, and add some high-protein snack choices to your daily food intake, which can help stabilize your blood sugar levels.

Lifestyle Tips

In your day-to-day routine, there are certain habits you can try introducing that can help keep you comfortable and alleviate pregnancy nausea.

Staying hydrated, for example, is key. Try aiming for 8-12 cups of water daily, sipping frequently throughout the day. Getting fresh air and avoiding stuffy or smelly environments can also help with feelings of nausea and discomfort.

As the name suggests, morning sickness can often present itself first thing in the morning. Try keeping a bland snack, such as crackers, by your bed, ready for morning relief when the symptoms may be at their worst.

While rest is essential during pregnancy, try to avoid lying down right after eating, allowing time for your food to be properly digested.  

Natural Remedies

There are also some natural morning sickness remedies that many recommend to help alleviate the symptoms of morning sickness. Try supplementing your diet with ginger and peppermint, which you can either drink as an herbal tea, take as capsules or even candies! Both ingredients are proven to be calming, anti-inflammatory remedies that can help when feeling nauseous.

Some women also opt for acupressure wristbands as a form of relief, which work similarly for those who suffer from motion sickness when traveling. Acupuncture is another popular option, a traditional Chinese form of pain relief that uses the power of rebalancing your body to treat various health conditions and ailments.

Medical Support

While there is no medical cure for morning sickness, there are some over the counter nausea medicine options available that can help offer relief.

An OTC antiemetic drug (drugs that prevent vomiting), such as Vitamin B6, can be a safe option to begin with to provide some relief. If necessary, this can be used alongside doxylamine for an effective OTC combo. Our Prenatals are another great option that can help reduce the severity of morning sickness; they include a powerful blend of Vitamin B6 and other key nutrients, and may also help prevent birth defects.

If this combination is proving ineffective, you could consult your obstetrician for a prescription strength medication. Diclegis®, for example, is a slow-release single pill that can be taken to help with morning sickness.

If your symptoms are severe, we recommend talking to your healthcare provider, as this could be a sign of Hyperemesis Gravidarum.

What Is Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG)?

Hyperemesis Gravidarum, or HG, is a much more serious case of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. Symptoms are often more severe, such as vomiting multiple times a day, and can last throughout the entire pregnancy. In some cases, it can become dangerous, so it is important to be able to notice the signs of HG, to help you identify if what you are experiencing is more than ‘regular’ morning sickness.

Signs of HG

HG is more than typical morning sickness, and can be a significant toll on your emotional and physical wellbeing. It can be exhausting, affecting your ability to go about your day-to-day life, and can dampen many women’s experience of pregnancy, a time when they may have been expecting to enjoy and getting excited about the birth of their baby.

Here are some key signs to look out for that may be HG:

• Vomiting 6+ times per day

• Weight loss, especially 5-10% of body weight

• Dehydration (dark urine, no urine, dizziness)

• Fatigue, confusion, or rapid heartbeat

The chart below can help you better tell HG apart from more typical morning sickness:

When to Seek Medical Help

If you believe you’re experiencing HG, it’s important you consult your doctor to avoid the risk of severe dehydration and weight loss, which can be particularly dangerous during pregnancy. HG can often require IV fluids, anti-nausea injections, and close monitoring to keep the symptoms at bay.

You should also call your medical professional if you’re struggling to keep fluids down for more than 12 hours or if you’re unable to eat solid food for longer than 24 hours. You should also seek medical help if your symptoms last longer than 14 weeks, and if you see any blood or ‘coffee grounds’ looking substances in your vomit.

Does Morning Sickness Harm My Baby?

Generally speaking, mild to moderate morning sickness does not harm you or your baby and can be a normal part of pregnancy, particularly during the first trimester.

However, if left untreated, severe symptoms or HG can lead to dehydration and malnutrition, which may put you and your baby at risk. It may also lead to a low birth weight for your baby. Remember, always talk to your doctor if you’re concerned or unable to eat or drink.

Final Thoughts: Every Pregnancy Is Different

Morning sickness is a common and normal part of early pregnancy, affecting most pregnant women, and while symptoms can vary, most women find relief in the second trimester. For more severe cases, such as Hyperemesis Gravidarum, medical support is important for the safety of you and your baby.

Thankfully, morning sickness is usually not harmful to you or your baby and can often be managed with simple diet changes, natural remedies like ginger, or safe medications. 

Every pregnancy is different, and you may experience different pregnancy symptoms than your friends, relatives, or your own mother. Remember that you're not alone, and support is available at Mira to help you through your pregnancy journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

What helps with nausea?

Eating small, frequent meals, staying hydrated, and avoiding things that may unsettle your stomach – such as spicy or greasy foods, or stuffy environments, can all help you manage feelings of nausea and morning sickness.

When does morning sickness start and end with a girl?

Some people believe that morning sickness symptoms can be worse, or begin earlier/last longer, if you are expecting a baby girl. However, there is limited evidence to support this, and you may experience severe morning sickness when pregnant with a boy.

When does morning sickness start with a boy?

Morning sickness tends to begin during the second month of pregnancy. While some people believe that you can tell the gender of the baby by the symptoms of morning sickness, the most accurate way to confirm the gender is through an ultrasound.

When is morning sickness the worst?

Although it can vary, morning sickness has been known to peak at about weeks 9-10 of pregnancy, when your hCG hormone levels are at their highest.

What does morning sickness feel like?

The most common symptoms of morning sickness include nausea and vomiting, as well as dizziness and certain food aversions. You may also realize it feels similar to heartburn or motion sickness, as reported by some women.