8 Morning Sickness Remedies for All-Day Relief

Medically reviewed by Monique Rainford, MD

Morning sickness refers to the symptoms of nausea and vomiting often accompanying pregnancy. It’s estimated that up to 70% to 80% of pregnant people experience nausea and vomiting. It usually begins around four to six weeks after conception and often resolves after 20 weeks.

Causes of morning sickness are related to the physical changes associated with pregnancy, including changing hormone levels, an enhanced sense of smell, and gastric reflux.

This article discusses morning sickness remedies, including medications, supplements, and lifestyle changes.

For most pregnant people, morning sickness symptoms occur early in the day. However, it can occur at any time of day, including overnight. Sometimes morning sickness lasts all day.

Ways to Ease Morning Sickness

Morning sickness is very common, but it can significantly impact your life. Fortunately, there are several remedies available to ease your symptoms.

Lifestyle Remedies

Small changes to your lifestyle may improve nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. Proven strategies to improve morning sickness include:

• Pace yourself throughout the day and try to avoid overextending yourself.

• Avoid smoke and strong odors.

• Practice stress management techniques.

• Focus on getting more sleep if possible.

Dietary Remedies

Many people with morning sickness struggle to eat a variety of healthy foods. Fortunately, there are dietary changes you can make to ease your symptoms.

Dietary changes to prevent nausea include:

• Eat a combination of bland proteins and carbohydrates. Try nut butter with crackers or yogurt with fresh fruit.

• Try to eat crackers or dry toast before getting up in the morning.

• Keep bland snacks on hand because hunger is a morning sickness trigger.

To ease morning sickness, avoid the following:

• Foods that are high in fat or salt

• Large meals

• Drinking a large amount of beverages with meals

Specific tastes or smells may trigger morning sickness. Learning and avoiding your triggers can help reduce the severity and frequency of nausea and vomiting.

Physical Activity

Staying physically active is important during pregnancy. Exercise may reduce feelings of nausea. It can also help with other pregnancy symptoms like constipation and achiness.

Focus on gentle activities and try not to overexert yourself. Avoid any time of day when your nausea and vomiting are the worst. Be sure to check with your healthcare provider before starting new activities.

Medicine

Medications to reduce nausea and vomiting during pregnancy are available. Always talk with your healthcare provider before beginning a new medication.

Vitamin B6 has been proven to improve morning sickness at a dosage of 100 milligrams or less per day.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Diclegis (doxylamine succinate and pyridoxine hydrochloride) for morning sickness treatment.

People with severe morning sickness may require intravenous (IV) fluids to treat dehydration.

Prenatal Vitamins

Prenatal vitamins are large pills that may be difficult to take when nauseated. However, these vitamins are important for your and your baby's health. Starting prenatal vitamins before you become pregnant can also help prevent and or reduce symptoms during pregnancy.

To lower the risk of vomiting with your prenatal vitamins, try changing the way you take them:

• Try taking your prenatal vitamin at night if it causes stomach upset during the day.

• If your vitamin can be split in half, try taking half in the morning and half at night.

• Try different brands to see if one is better for your stomach.

Acupuncture/Acupressure

Acupuncture and acupressure are treatments used in traditional Chinese medicine. Acupuncture involves placing thin needles into the skin at specific points on the body. It may be helpful to treat nausea and manage morning sickness.

Acupressure uses wristbands to apply pressure on specific areas of your wrist. They are often used to treat motion sickness and can be helpful for morning sickness as well.

Herbal Remedies

Herbal remedies like ginger have been found to ease nausea and are safe for use during pregnancy. Look for them in the form of tea, as well as in supplements, candies, and ginger ale.

Hydration

Staying hydrated is an important way to prevent dehydration and lower the chance of morning sickness. Being dehydrated can be a trigger for nausea. During pregnancy, your body needs eight to 12 glasses of water daily.

If drinking water is difficult when you’re already nauseated, try keeping a water bottle with you to take small sips throughout the day. Drinking a large amount of water in one sitting could upset your stomach.

Why Pregnancy Causes Nausea

Pregnancy causes several physical changes. During pregnancy, your hormone levels are changing. It is thought that these hormonal changes lead to nausea and vomiting.

People who are pregnant also have an enhanced sense of smell. This could lead to nausea from strong odors. Also, as your baby grows, the increased pressure on your stomach leads to gastric reflux. This causes stomach acid to travel back up the esophagus and may lead to heartburn and nausea.

Start and End of Morning Sickness

Fortunately, morning sickness does not usually last all of pregnancy. It often begins within weeks of missing their period, at about six to nine weeks of pregnancy, peaks between 10 and 16 weeks and usually resolves 20 weeks of pregnancy. 

Morning sickness is common, but it can become dangerous in extreme cases. Talk with your healthcare provider if you have been experiencing nausea and vomiting. It is especially important to seek care if you have any of the following:

• Uncontrolled vomiting

• Blood in the vomit

• Vomit that looks like coffee grounds

• Weight loss
  

Summary

Morning sickness describes the pregnancy symptom of nausea and vomiting. Morning sickness is very common and usually resolves after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Fortunately, several remedies can ease your symptoms.

Making changes to your diet, exercise routine, and lifestyle could help. Focus on small meals throughout the day, and be as physically active as possible. Stay hydrated throughout the day and try herbal remedies like ginger. If home remedies are ineffective, discuss medication options with your healthcare provider.