Morning Sickness Survival Guide: Causes, what helps & more

Introduction

Newly pregnant? Congratulations. You probably have a lot of questions. One of the most frequently asked question is when does morning sickness start. Morning sickness tends to begin during the first month of pregnancy. So, don’t worry if you’re not exactly glowing in those first few weeks, you’re not alone. 9 out of 10 women will have at least a little nausea but thankfully most find morning sickness symptoms ease off by week 20 or so…ish. Oh, it’s also worth noting morning sickness can happen at any time of the day or night and can last all day long. We have some tips in this article to help you get through it.

What causes morning sickness?

Morning sickness causes are largely unknown. It is generally thought to be the result of a number of changes happening within your body. Here are just some:

Oestrogen and HCG. Though other hormones play a part, your oestrogen and HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin) levels rise quickly during the early stages of pregnancy.
Odours. You’ll notice you have an extremely strong sense of smell. Over two-thirds of pregnant women report an increase of odour sensitivity which serves as the root cause of their nausea and morning sickness.

Is it severe? When vomiting starts to impact your quality of life, or your urine is extremely dark please reach out to your GP, midwife or 111 for further advice. There could be a chance you have Hyperemesis Gravidarum or HG. It’s a more severe morning sickness so its’s best to tell your doctor as it can affect you and your baby’s health if left untreated.

Ginger as a natural remedy for morning sickness

What helps with morning sickness?

One sip at a time. It helps to stay hydrated. Get plenty of fluids down, little and often.
Ginger… tea… snaps… beer (the non-alcoholic kind). Women all over the world swear by ginger as a natural remedy for pregnancy nausea and there is some evidence to suggest it works.
Carbs. Snack on carbs throughout the day. Crackers, bread rice and pasta, little and often can keep the dreaded pregnancy nausea at bay.
Cold foods. They might go down better than hot ones. The last thing you need is the waft of a steak and kidney pie when you feel sick. Why not check out our comprehensive list on what foods to eat when pregnant and recommended supplements.
Talk. The relentless symptoms of morning sickness can get you down. Talk to your other half, a friend or even a stranger – there are forums full of sympathetic sufferers.
Be complementary. Consider discussing alternative therapies to help treat your morning sickness with your GP. Do not begin a complementary therapy without sign off from your healthcare provider first.
Sleep like a baby. A lack of sleep can also make symptoms worse so here’s a few tips for getting a good night’s rest while pregnant.