The name is a bit of a lie. "Morning sickness", the nausea and sometimes vomiting of early pregnancy, can hit at any hour, morning, noon, or 9pm on the sofa. Knowing the usual arc helps you sort what is normal from what is worth a call.
When it usually starts
For most people the queasiness begins around week 6, occasionally as early as week 4 or 5, soon after hCG starts climbing. The pregnancy week calculator tells you which week you are in. It is one of the earliest and most common pregnancy symptoms, though plenty of people skip it entirely.
When it peaks and eases
Things often feel worst around weeks 9 to 11, when hCG peaks, and then ease for many people by weeks 12 to 16 as the second trimester arrives. A smaller group stays nauseous longer, sometimes the whole way through. The pregnancy week guide sets out what to expect.
Why it happens
Nobody has fully pinned down the cause. The leading suspects are the surge in pregnancy hormones, especially hCG and oestrogen, paired with a suddenly sharper sense of smell. In most cases it is just a normal part of early pregnancy, not a sign that something is wrong.
Taking the edge off mild symptoms
- Eat small and often, and try not to let your stomach go empty.
- Stash plain crackers by the bed for before you get up.
- Sip fluids through the day rather than gulping a lot at once.
- Work out which smells and foods set you off, then steer clear.
When to call your provider
Get advice if you cannot keep fluids or food down, you are losing weight, you feel dizzy, or you are barely passing urine. That combination can mean hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe form that needs treatment. Keep your timeline handy with the due date calculator and raise symptoms at every visit.