Normal pregnancy sickness is short spells of nausea and occasional vomiting usually during the early stages of pregnancy. It is common in many pregnancies, normally beginning around 4-6 weeks and eases between 12-20 weeks. It can affect you at any time of the day or night, and some people feel sick all day long. It is usually well managed through diet and lifestyle changes. In general, there are no bad physical or mental side effects as it’s a normal part of pregnancy.
Coping strategies
If your sickness isn’t too bad, you can try some lifestyle changes:
Get plenty of rest as tiredness can make nausea worse.
Avoid foods or smells that make you feel sick.
Eat dry toast or a plain biscuit before you get out of bed.
Eat small, frequent meals of plain foods that are high in carbohydrate and low in fat (such as bread, rice, crackers and pasta).
Eat cold foods rather than hot ones if the smell of hot meals makes you feel sick.
Drink plenty of fluids, such as water (sipping them little and often may help prevent vomiting).
When to seek help
When your quality of life is being affected and you’re not able to manage your usual activities
If your symptoms are much worse than you were expecting them to be
If you are not keeping down any food or drink, or only a very small amount
If you’ve lost weight
If you have signs of dehydration such as dry mouth, dry lips, headaches or feel dizzy, weak or confused. Changes in urine (wee) being darker, not going as much or only weeing a small amount.
Please see the following information about Hyperemesis Gravidarum if you suspect you are suffering with a more severe form of pregnancy sickness.
What is Hyperemesis Gravidarum?
Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) is severe sickness and nausea in pregnancy where medical treatment and emotional support is needed. It can lead to a lot of weight loss and dehydration. Around 10,000-20,000 pregnancies a year are affected by this condition. It can start very early, even before a positive pregnancy test. Symptoms are usually the worst at 9-13 weeks, and get a bit better around 16-24 weeks, but it can go on all the way through the pregnancy for some people.
When to seek help
If you are being sick often and cannot keep food down, tell your midwife or doctor, or contact the hospital as soon as possible. There is a risk you may become dehydrated, and it is important you get the right treatment as soon as possible.You should always seek help if you suspect you have HG, or severe nausea and vomiting, or if you have any of the following symptoms:
Prolonged or constant nausea and/or vomiting affecting your day-to-day activities, like being about to go to work, look after your home or other children, or look after yourself.
You have signs of dehydration, such as a dry mouth, dry lips, headaches, dizziness, weakness, feeling confused. If your wee changes, for example if it is darker, you are not going as much, passing only a small amount.
If you’ve lost weight, this could be an indicator of HG.
Your symptoms are affecting your mental health and you are struggling to cope.
If you have had HG before, unfortunately, it’s likely you will get it again in another pregnancy. If you decide on another pregnancy, it can help to plan ahead, such as arranging childcare so you can get plenty of rest. Talk to your GP about starting medicine early. Medication can be prescribed before symptoms even begin.
Other symptoms of HG:
Sensitive to smells
Excessive saliva production
Headaches and constipation from dehydration
Loss of bladder control
Tiredness
Acid reflux
Sensitive to lights/noise/movement
Coping strategies
Rest! There may be times where symptoms have eased and you feel like you can do more, but it’s important to still rest as much as possible.
Avoid triggers of nausea as much as possible. If that means avoiding cooking and being as far away from the kitchen as possible while someone else is cooking, then that is what you must do. It’s okay to ask that your family, colleagues or friends avoid certain foods whilst you are around them. Other sensory stimulation such as noises, moving, screens, or bright lights may be triggers too and should be avoided if they make your symptoms worse.
Try to avoid getting dehydrated. If drinking triggers vomiting or nausea, then sucking ice cubes made of juice or drinking very slowly through a straw may be the only way to stay hydrated. Bottled water may taste better than tap water. If you can’t keep fluids down, then be prepared for a hospital admission to have fluids through a drip. This is vital for you and your baby’s health and can make you feel much better.
Keep a diary. Tracking your food and drink intake will be helpful for the doctor to assess what treatment you need and for you to see if you have any food triggers. Tracking your symptoms may show a pattern and show you when is the best time to eat. It can also help you prepare for when you know your symptoms will be worse.
