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Alternative Names Return to top
Nausea in the morning - females; Vomiting in the morning - femalesDefinition Return to top
Morning sickness is nausea and vomiting that can actually occur at any time of the day during pregnancy.
See also:
Considerations Return to top
Morning sickness is very common. Most pregnant women have at least some nausea, and about a third have vomiting. Morning sickness usually begins during the first month of pregnancy and continues until the 14th to 16th week. Some women have nausea and vomiting through their entire pregnancy.
Morning sickness does not hurt the baby in any way unless you lose weight, such as with severe vomiting. The amount of morning sickness during one pregnancy does not predict how you will feel in future pregnancies.
Causes Return to top
The exact cause of morning sickness is unknown. It may be caused by hormone changes or lower blood sugar during early pregnancy. Emotional stress, traveling, or some foods can make the problem worse.
Home Care Return to top
Try to keep a positive attitude. Remember that morning sickness usually stops after the first 3 or 4 months of pregnancy. To reduce nausea, try:
Here are some more tips:
When to Contact a Medical Professional Return to top
Call your doctor if:
What to Expect at Your Office Visit Return to top
Your doctor will do a physical examination, including a pelvic exam, and look for any signs of dehydration.
Your doctor may ask the following questions:
Your doctor may do the following tests:
References Return to top
Heinrichs L. Linking olfaction with nausea and vomiting of pregnancy, recurrent abortion, hyperemesis gravidarum, and migraine headache. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2002; 186(5 Suppl Understanding): S215-S219.
Quinla JD. Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. Am Fam Physician. 2003; 68(1): 121-128.
Update Date: 2/5/2008 Updated by: Peter Chen, MD, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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Page last updated: 25 September 2008 |