Morning sickness

Pile of baby clothes

This article may help answer:

What causes morning sickness?

What can I do to help stop morning sickness?

Can I take medication for morning sickness?

It’s unfair that at a time in your life when you are so happy – you’re pregnant, after all – you might be feeling unwell a lot of the time. Morning sickness affects up to 80 percent of pregnant women and, contrary to its name, can strike at any time of day.

Find out more:

    There’s no proven reason why some pregnant women feel sick and nauseous, especially in their first trimester. However, it’s commonly believed that this is due to an increase in hormone levels, which can also lead to feelings of fatigue.

    Many couples keep their happy news to themselves until after the 12-week scan confirms the baby’s development. So it can be frustrating not being able to tell people the reason why you’re feeling nauseous, vomiting or simply really, really tired.

    Most women find their symptoms ease off as they progress into their pregnancy. In rare cases symptoms are extremely severe and require medication or hospitalisation. Speak to your GP if you’re concerned.

    There are over the counter medicine options that help relieve or reduce symptoms.

    You can also try to reduce symptoms using the following methods:

    Eat little and often: Many women report that eating small amounts of dry foods, such as toast or crackers, helps ease the feeling of nausea. If symptoms are worse in the morning keep some crackers by your bed, and have snacks on hand all day.

    Avoid certain foods: It might sound obvious but steering clear of high-fat, greasy food that’s hard to digest could help keep feelings of nausea or bouts of vomiting at bay.

    Drink a lot of water: If you are vomiting it’s important to stay well hydrated. Keep your water bottle filled and close by.

    You’ve read advice on:

    What causes morning sickness?

    What does morning sickness feel like?

    What helps with morning sickness?

    A supplement to help ease symptoms of morning sickness

    Foods to avoid while experiencing morning sickness

    See the pregnancy checklist