Morning sickness

Alternative names:

nausea in the morning (females); vomiting in the morning (females)

Definition:

Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy which often occurs in the morning. For severe, persistent vomiting during pregnancy see the information on hyperemesis gravidarum.

Considerations:

Morning sickness is extremely common, occurring in about half of all pregnant women. The problem usually begins during the first month of pregnancy and continues until the 14th to 16th week.

Emotional stress, traveling, or some kinds of food may aggravate the problem.

Common causes:

The cause of morning sickness is unknown. However, it may be caused by either hormonal changes or lower blood sugar during early pregnancy.