Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy
Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy, widely known as morning sickness, affects roughly seven in ten pregnant women during the first trimester. Despite its name, symptoms can occur at any time of day and typically peak between weeks six and nine before easing by week fourteen for most women.
Key points
- Despite the name, morning sickness can strike at any hour and affects around seven in ten women in early pregnancy.
- Symptoms typically peak between the sixth and ninth week and settle down for most by the fourteenth week.
- A combination of doxylamine and vitamin B6 has a long-standing safety record and is a first-line option when simple measures are not enough.
Managing symptoms safely
Mild cases often respond to small, frequent meals, ginger tea, and adequate rest. When symptoms are more disruptive, a combination of doxylamine and pyridoxine (vitamin B6) is a well-established first-line option with a long safety record in pregnancy. Further support and related treatments are listed under women’s health.
Seek prompt medical attention if you are unable to keep any fluids down, lose more than 5% of your pre-pregnancy body weight, or notice dark urine. These signs may indicate hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe form that needs medical management.