Feature Editor
It’s impossible to say when the nausea and morning sickness will stop for you. We’re all individuals with slightly different biology and each pregnancy is unique. Sometimes, it takes the whole nine months for the sickness to stop but fortunately that is rare.
Nausea and vomiting normally starts and stops between Weeks 6 -12 of Pregnancy
Rest assured, if you are one of the unfortunate sufferers of morning sickness during your pregnancy, this symptom typically begins around the 6th week mark (and is therefore often one of the first noticed symptoms of pregnancy) and ends at the completion of the first trimester (week 12).
Some will start feeling nauseous earlier than 6 weeks and some will also feel sicker for longer – it’s one of those symptoms that is so unpredictable. Personally, I was nauseous and sick up to around week 25 in all three of my pregnancies.
The Culprit – hCG
Morning sickness, for some, is unavoidable. Your body produces high amounts of the pregnancy hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in the first trimester, which is much more than it will produce during any other stage of your pregnancy.
Unfortunately, some women will continue to experience nausea into their second and third trimesters. Others (AKA the really lucky ones) are fortunate enough to not experience morning sickness at all. My sister was one of them and I was SO envious.
If your vomiting is extreme you may have Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG). This is characterized by vomiting three or more times per day, plus significant weightloss. If you think you may have HG speak to your doctor or midwife straight away to make sure you’re getting all the support you need. It can be a traumatic condition and leaves some women with PTSD so don’t take it lightly. Get help.
Every body is different. Literally.
Most importantly, you should treat yourself and ease your symptoms however possible. If you’re really struggling to manage your nausea and sickness talk to your doctor or pharmacist about medications that you may be able to use to help. There are a few available to take safely in pregnancy. Opt for foods that are easy to break down and familiar to your digestive system. Bland selections such as bread, broth, crackers, etc. will certainly help.
Nausea and sickness are often one of the hardest things to cope with in early pregnancy. For most Moms-to-be it’s a mild annoyance that doesn’t last too long. We hope that yours stops very soon.
How long has your morning sickness lasted for?