Nausea and vomiting is very common in early pregnancy. It can affect you at any time of the day or night, and some women feel sick all day long.

Nausea may be unpleasant, and for some women it can significantly affect their day-to-day life. Usually it will clear up by weeks 16 to 20 of your pregnancy.

When you get pregnant, your hormones shift to support the pregnancy. For most women, it is this surge in hormones that causes nausea and vomiting. When your placenta takes over hormone production in the second trimester is when you will find relief.

If your morning sickness isn’t too bad, your midwife may initially recommend you try some lifestyle changes:

  • get plenty of rest
  • avoid foods or smells that make you feel sick
  • eat something like dry toast before you get out of bed
  • eat small, frequent meals of plain foods that are high in carbohydrate and low in fat (such as bread, rice, crackers and pasta)
  • eat cold foods rather than hot ones
  • drink plenty of fluids, such as coconut water or a liquid IV drink
  • eat foods or drinks containing ginger
  • try acupressure – there’s some evidence that putting pressure on your wrist, using a special band or bracelet on your forearm, may help relieve the symptoms
  • try getting more vitamin B6 through whole food sources. Some times a deficiency causes nausea.
  • if you have tried “all the things” don’t be afraid to ask your care provider for a prescription medicine. This may be your best option to curb nausea.

Few people would disagree that nausea is one of the worst parts of pregnancy, as it can keep you from enjoying this special time and severely limit your ability to participate in everyday life. Thankfully, for most women, it’s short-lived and eases by the second trimester.