Morning sickness is nausea or vomiting that usually occurs during the first trimester of pregnancy.  Despite its name, you may feel nauseated or vomit at any time of day.  More than half of pregnant women have morning sickness during the first trimester.  It usually goes away by the second trimester, when the level of pregnancy hormones in your body falls. 

When morning sickness is severe, it is called hyperemesis gravidarum. 

How does it occur? 

It is not understood why some women develop morning sickness, but certain factors such as hormones are involved.  Women with high levels of pregnancy hormones tend to develop this condition and have it with subsequent pregnancies.

 

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms of severe morning sickness include: 

• persistent vomiting shortly after eating or drinking anything, including water 
• weight loss 
• dehydration 
• concentrated, dark-colored urine 
• an imbalance of chemicals in the blood. 

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How is it diagnosed? 

Your health care provider will review your symptoms and may do lab tests of your blood and urine.  Your blood may be tested for chemical imbalance and the urine may be examined for concentration and the presence of ketones (a substance that comes from the breakdown of body fat).  The health care provider may examine you and use more blood tests to rule out other conditions that might cause vomiting. 

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How is it treated? 

Your treatment may include both changes in diet and medications prescribed by the health care provider.  If your morning sickness is severe, you may need to go to the hospital for treatment that will prevent you from becoming dehydrated. 
 
Mild morning sickness can be relieved by: 

• eating snacks that are high in protein 
• eating foods with no fiber that are high in carbohydrates and low in fat 
• having frequent small snacks instead of full meals 
• eating foods that taste good to you 
• eating before you get out of bed, as movement often makes morning sickness worse 
• drinking salty fluids, such as broth, cola, and Gatorade.

Some women find that drinking peppermint tea relieves their symptoms (frequent small sips prevent dehydration).  Even if liquids stay down just an hour, much of it is absorbed by your body. 

Check with your health care provider before you use any health food remedies. 

Moderate morning sickness may require: 

• medication to reduce nausea and vomiting 
• intravenous fluid treatment to relieve dehydration. 

Your health care provider will explain the side effects and  risks of any medication prescribed. 

Severe hyperemesis gravidarum may require: 

• hospitalization 
• not eating or drinking anything, then slowly introducing food into your diet 
• lab tests of blood and urine 
• intravenous treatment to balance the electrolytes in your blood 
• ultrasound examination of the pregnancy 
• an interview with a social worker to see whether you need help at home.