Short answer: Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy are very common, can happen at any time of day, and usually ease by weeks 16 to 20. Small, frequent, plain meals, cold food if smells bother you, sipping fluids, rest, ginger and acupressure bands may help. If it doesn't improve, your GP can prescribe anti-sickness medicine that's safe in pregnancy. Call your midwife, GP or 111 if you can't keep food or fluids down for 24 hours, have very dark urine or haven't peed for 8 hours, feel faint, or have tummy pain or a fever — it could be hyperemesis gravidarum.
“Morning sickness” is one of pregnancy's most misleading names. For many people it lasts all day, and the smell of coffee from next door is enough to send you to the bathroom.
Why it happens
Hormonal changes in the first 12 weeks are thought to be one of the main causes. You may be more likely to be badly affected if you're expecting twins or more, or had severe sickness in a previous pregnancy. The NHS reassures that ordinary morning sickness doesn't put your baby at increased risk.
The frustrating part: an empty stomach often makes nausea worse, and eating is the last thing you feel like.
What can help
- Something plain before you get up: dry toast or a plain biscuit, then take a few minutes before standing.
- Small, frequent meals of plain, starchy, low-fat foods: bread, rice, crackers, pasta.
- Cold rather than hot food if cooking smells set you off.
- Sip fluids little and often through the day, rather than large drinks with meals.
- Rest. Tiredness can make nausea worse.
- Avoid trigger smells and foods without guilt — let someone else cook if you can.
- Ginger in food or drinks may help. Check with a pharmacist before taking ginger supplements.
- Acupressure bands on the wrist help some people.
You don't have to eat a perfectly balanced diet while you're this sick. Eat what stays down, and keep sipping.
Keep taking folic acid (and vitamin D if recommended) as advised by your midwife or GP. If even tablets are hard to keep down, ask about alternatives.
Medicine
If nausea and vomiting are severe and lifestyle changes haven't helped, your GP may recommend a short course of anti-sickness medicine (an antiemetic) that's safe in pregnancy, often a type of antihistamine. You don't have to just put up with it — ask.
Hyperemesis gravidarum
A small number of people develop hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), a severe form of pregnancy sickness that can cause dehydration and weight loss. It's a medical condition, not a weakness, and it can be treated — sometimes with medicine by injection or suppository, or with fluids in hospital. Specialist charities such as Pregnancy Sickness Support (UK) offer information and peer support.
When to get help
Call your midwife, GP or NHS 111 (or your local equivalent) if you're vomiting and:
- your urine is very dark, or you haven't peed for more than 8 hours;
- you can't keep food or fluids down for 24 hours;
- you feel very weak, dizzy or faint when standing up;
- you have tummy pain or a high temperature;
- you vomit blood;
- you've lost weight.
Sometimes a urine infection causes nausea and vomiting too, so it's worth getting checked.
Work
You can take sick leave for pregnancy sickness. In the UK, employers must assess the risks of your work once you've told them you're pregnant and make reasonable adjustments — for example to your hours or duties — and you're entitled to paid time off for antenatal appointments. Pregnancy-related sickness is also protected from discrimination. Rules differ in other countries, so check what applies where you work.
This is a stretch of weeks, not a test of character. Lower every bar you can, and get help if it's too much.
Related reading
From pregnancy onwards: The First 1000 Days (PDF, English) covers the period from pregnancy to age two and how to build secure attachment.
Sources
- NHS — Vomiting and morning sickness.
- Pregnancy Sickness Support — Support for hyperemesis gravidarum.
- GOV.UK — Pregnant employees' rights.
Written by the Bloom Guides editorial team. Last updated: 20 October 2026. General information only — not a substitute for advice from your midwife or doctor.