Morning sickness can start as early as a few weeks after conception and be the first sign of pregnancy. Morning sickness usually begins at some point during the first trimester and often resolves at 14–16 weeks of pregnancy. More than 70% of pregnancies involve morning sickness at some point. In some cases, the nausea and vomiting may be mild, but in others, it is severe enough to interfere with daily life. In this article, we look in more detail at when morning sickness starts, peaks, and is likely to end. We also discuss how to prevent and manage it. Morning sickness can begin as early as a person’s missed period. It typically starts during the first trimester, before week 9. Despite its name, morning sickness can occur at any time of the day. Morning sickness tends to get steadily worse during early pregnancy, peaking around the end of the first trimester before starting to improve in weeks 14–16. However, in 10–20% of pregnancies, nausea and vomiting persist beyond week 20. In rare cases, people can develop severe morning sickness, or hyperemesis gravidarum (HE), which occurs in roughly 0.3–3% of all pregnancies. HE can last throughout pregnancy and may get worse during the second trimester. Morning sickness is different for every person. Some of the symptoms that a person might notice are:
Many people find that certain factors trigger morning sickness, such as specific foods or smells. When the nausea is severe enough to cause regular vomiting, a person may also experience symptoms of dehydration, including dark urine, infrequent urination, thirst, and feeling dizzy or faint. If these symptoms occur, and a person cannot keep liquids down, it is important to call a doctor immediately. Without treatment, dehydration can be serious. For most people, morning sickness is not a sign of a problem with the pregnancy, and it does not mean that the fetus is unwell. Some studies suggest that in the average case, morning sickness may be a positive sign. The authors of an older 2000 study argue that morning sickness may be protective, as it often causes people to avoid foods that would once have posed the risk of infection. Other studies show that people who get morning sickness are less likely to experience pregnancy loss, indicating that it is a sign of a healthy pregnancy. There is no guaranteed way to prevent all morning sickness. However, people can try some techniques to reduce the frequency and severity of the symptoms. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommend:
If a person does not eat meat or fish, they can try increasing their protein intake by eating eggs and cheese. Nuts, tofu, quinoa, and seitan are among the protein sources suitable for those following a plant-based diet. Protein shakes may also be convenient for both vegans and vegetarians. The iron in some vitamins can cause stomach pain. A person can ask a doctor or midwife about switching to a different prenatal vitamin if this occurs. Some strategies can make it easier to deal with morning sickness. The ACOG suggest that people try:
If home remedies fail and morning sickness is severe, a person can ask a doctor or midwife about prescription antinausea drugs. Several factors can increase a person’s risk for severe morning sickness, or HE. According to the ACOG, a person is more likely to develop HE if:
If someone is concerned about their likelihood of getting HE, they can let a doctor know. Severe morning sickness can become more difficult to control as a pregnancy progresses. As such, it is important to talk to a doctor about morning sickness early in the pregnancy, particularly if it is having a significant effect on daily life. If the remedies that a doctor prescribes do not work, a person should follow up and ask for other options. They should go to the emergency department if:
Morning sickness is very common and usually starts early in pregnancy. For many people, it is the most difficult aspect of being pregnant. However, there are treatments and strategies that can prevent nausea and help someone cope. Often, morning sickness goes away toward the end of the first trimester, but in a minority of people, it may continue for longer. A doctor or midwife can help with treating or managing this symptom. Emergency medical help is necessary if someone shows signs of dehydration or cannot keep fluids down during pregnancy. What week does morning sickness usually go away?During the first trimester of pregnancy, many women have the bouts of nausea and vomiting known as morning sickness. Despite its name, morning sickness can happen day or night. It usually starts around the 6th week of pregnancy, is at its worst around week 9, and stops by weeks 16 to 18.
Can morning sickness end before 12 weeks?Can nausea and vomiting stop before 12 weeks of pregnancy, and if so what are the chances of this happening? The time of cessation of NVP is variable. Yes - NVP can stop before week 12 from LMP in about 60% of pregnant women according to one investigation but in only 27% in another investigation.
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