Sickness And Vomiting of Pregnancy

What is sickness and vomiting of pregnancy?

About 3 in 4 pregnant women feel sick or vomit during early pregnancy. It is often called morning sickness, but symptoms can occur at any time - not just in the morning. Symptoms are mild in most cases. Feelings of sickness (nausea) typically come and go. They usually last between 1 and 4 hours at a time. Some women have more severe symptoms and have frequent and/or longer bouts of vomiting. In most cases the symptoms have gone by 12-16 weeks of pregnancy. However, about 1 in 5 pregnant women have some sickness through all their pregnancy.

The cause of the sickness is not known. It is probably due to the hormone changes of pregnancy.

Does vomiting affect the baby?

Not usually. The baby gets nourishment from your body's reserves even though you may not eat well when you are vomiting. The effort of retching and vomiting does not harm your baby. The only time your baby may be affected is if you become very ill with dehydration which is not treated.

• No treatment is needed in most cases as the symptoms are often mild.
• Eating small but frequent meals may help. Foods high in carbohydrate are best, such as bread, crackers, etc. Some people say that sickness is made worse by not eating anything at all. If you eat some food regularly, it may help to ease symptoms. Eating a plain (or ginger) biscuit about 20 minutes before getting up is said by some women to help.
• Triggers. Some women find that a 'trigger' can set off the sickness. For example, a smell or an emotional stress. If possible, avoid anything that may trigger your symptoms.
• Have lots to drink to avoid dehydration (low body fluid). Drinking little and often rather than large amounts may help to prevent vomiting. Try to aim to drink at least two litres a day. Water is probably the best drink if you are feeling sickly.
• An anti-sickness medicine may be advised if symptoms are severe, or do not settle. It is generally best to avoid medicines when you are pregnant (including herbal remedies as the contents are often uncertain). However, some medicines have been used for a number of years and are thought to be safe. For example, many women have used promethazine or cyclizine and there is no evidence that they harm a developing baby. Always see a doctor before taking an anti-sickness medicine when you are pregnant.
• Hospital care is needed to give fluids by a 'drip' in small number of women who become quite ill and dehydrated (low in body fluid).

Remember, not all vomiting may be due to the pregnancy - you can still get other illnesses. For example, the following are not usual symptoms of vomiting of pregnancy: diarrhoea, blood in vomit, jaundice (yellow skin), high temperature (fever), and stomach pains. See a doctor if these symptoms occur, or if the vomiting is severe and you suspect that you are becoming dehydrated.

© EMIS and PIP 2005   Updated: June 2005   PRODIGY Validated