Morning sickness is tough. It typically occurs when no one knows you're pregnant, so you're having to keep track of what you've said to who, (did you tell your boss it was a flu or a stomach bug?) or trying locate the least-used bathroom all while feeling like you have a terrible hangover (without any of the fun). Here's what to know about dealing with morning sickness in first trimester and beyond.
What to know about morning sickness and how to deal with it
When Does Morning Sickness Start?
Morning sickness is most common during the first trimester of pregnancy but can go beyond. Many women who experience it will notice morning sickness from around 6-9 weeks after conception. Not all women experience nausea or sickness during their pregnancy, but it is common and not reserved for mornings. It can come at any time of the day.
How Long Does Morning Sickness Last?
This can vary, but for most women morning sickness will disappear during the second trimester or from around weeks 16-20. A very small percentage suffer from morning sickness all the way through their pregnancy, and some have nausea return during the third trimester due to the baby growing and putting pressure on their intestines. If morning sickness is prolonged and extreme it may be diagnosed as hyperemesis gravidarum.
When Does Morning Sickness Stop?
Morning sickness is caused by a change in hormones which can lead to feelings of nauseaness. During the first 6-12 weeks of pregnancy there are a ton of hormones flying around the body which is when women often feel at their worst. If you're wondering 'why did my morning sickness' suddenly stop, you might be in the second trimester as thankfully, by around 16 weeks, you can expect to start feeling better.
What Are The Common Symptoms of Morning Sickness?
We're not going to sugarcoat it -morning sickness seriously sucks. It's not pleasant and can absolutely affect your daily life during the first trimester especially. If you're feeling nauseous all the time but not throwing up, that's a pretty common symptom of morning sickness. Around two thirds of all pregnant women will experience it to some degree or another with the most common symptoms including:
- Nausea particularly in the mornings, but can also be throughout the day
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
What Causes Morning Sickness & Nausea?
There are a few different possible explanations when it comes to working out what exactly causes you to feel so unwell during pregnancy. Some of the possible causes include:
- Hormonal changes: High levels of estrogen is thought to be a potential factor
- Fluctuating blood pressure: especially for those with low blood pressure
- Changed metabolism of carbohydrates
- Physical and chemical changes during pregnancy: your body is doing huge things guys (you're literally growing a human!)
The Best Morning Sickness Relief Tips & Suggestions