HealthInfo West Coast-Te Tai Poutini
Nausea & vomiting in pregnancy (morning sickness)
Rehu me ruaki ki te hapūtanga (māuiuitanga i te ata)
The common name for feeling sick (nausea) and vomiting during pregnancy is morning sickness. It is very common and may be the first sign you are pregnant. It usually starts around 6 weeks after your last period and goes away after 12 to 16 weeks, but it sometimes lasts longer.
Although it is called morning sickness, it can happen at any time of the day or night. Morning sickness does not harm your pēpi (baby).
We do not know exactly what causes nausea and vomiting in pregnancy, but it is probably related to the hormonal changes that happen in pregnancy.
Self-care for morning sickness
Although morning sickness usually goes away after a while, it can be difficult to cope with.
There are some things that might help you. Different things work for different people.
- Regularly sip fluids during the day but avoid alcohol and caffeine. If you find it difficult to drink, try sucking ice cubes or ice blocks.
- Hunger can make nausea and vomiting worse, so have small, regular meals or snacks. Include protein-rich foods as these can reduce nausea. Protein-rich foods include lean meat, chicken, seafood, eggs, milk and milk products, nuts, seeds and legumes (dried peas, beans and lentils).
- Try bland food such as dry crackers or toast, mashed potatoes, white rice, plain pasta or bananas.
- If you feel sick early in the morning, try eating a dry cracker or biscuit before getting out of bed.
- Drink ginger tea or ginger ale, eat ginger biscuits or take ginger supplements. The recommended dose for ginger supplements is up to 1 g a day spread throughout the day.
- Avoid goods that are fatty, spicy, strong smelling or very sweet.
- Eat something salty early in the day, such as salted crackers or soup.
- Avoid any foods that you find trigger your nausea.
- Get as much rest as you can when you feel sick and ask friends and whānau (family) for help if possible.
Severe morning sickness
A few people have more severe nausea and vomiting. If this happens to you, talk to your general practice team or midwife about medicines to help with the nausea. For example, cyclizine, prochlorperazine or metoclopramide. It is important to only use prescribed anti-sickness medicines during pregnancy. Do not take any medicine when you are pregnant unless you have checked with your midwife, general practice team or pharmacist that it is safe.
Some people have very severe symptoms, become dehydrated and lose weight. This is called hyperemesis gravidarum (hi-per-em-is-is grav-i-dar-um). If this happens to you, you will need care that includes intravenous fluids and medications.
Getting help for morning sickness
You should see your general practice team or midwife if you:
- are struggling with morning sickness
- have more than 24 hours when you cannot keep fluids down
- have noticed that your urine is darker (more concentrated) than usual
- are feeling dizzy.
HealthInfo recommends the following pages
- Patient.info – Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy
More information about morning sickness, who gets it and how to manage it.
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed November 2024.
SourcesReview key: HIHCP-311277
