Pregnancy Morning Sickness: What's Normal? Personal Experiences & Warning Signs

by Lyn Lomasi; Co-owner of Brand Shamans &  Write W.A.V.E. Media

Image © Lyn Lomasi; All Rights Reserved

Morning sickness is often one of the first signs of pregnancy. My personal experience and research will help you learn what's normal and when to call your doctor.

Five of the six times I was pregnant, I had awful morning sickness, so I learned quite a bit about it. Some of that knowledge came from doctors, some from trial and error, and some from research.

What Are The Symptoms Of Morning Sickness?

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Upset Stomach

How Often Is Normal?

If you've been feeling under the weather a lot, you may be wondering if it's too much. Is this normal? All women experience bouts of morning sickness in different ways. Some may only feel slightly ill at certain times of the day and some may have symptoms constantly. Any amount of time is "normal", but it's important to see your doctor if the nausea or vomiting is severe.

How Do I Know If My Morning Sickness Is Too Bad?

Only your doctor can tell you for sure if your morning sickness is worrisome. If you don't feel right or your symptoms seem too bad, let your OB or midwife know as soon as possible so they can advise you. Some women can experience an extreme form of morning sickness that can lead to hospitilization. This is called Hyperemesis Gravidarum.

Do I Have Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG)?

Most pregnant women experience some form of morning sickness, but only a small percentage will experience HG. Here's how to tell if you have HG.

Hyperemesis Gravidarum

• Vomiting & Can't Keep Any Food Down
  
• Nausea That Doesn't Seem To End
  
• Nausea With Severe Dehydration
  
• Nausea With Severe Vomiting
  

"Normal" Morning Sickness

• Vomiting But Can Keep In Some Food
• Nausea Until About 12 Weeks Or So
• Nausea With Mild or No Dehydration
• Nausea With Some or No Vomiting
  

Why Am I Hungry And Nauseous At The Same Time?

This is normal during pregnancy. You might feel nauseous but feel hungry or have a craving at the same time. Sometimes, eating a small amount of food or drinking some water during the nausea can help make it go away. The nausea might be caused by hunger or thirst, but not always. Also, sometimes people can feel hungry when they are actually thirsty. The pangs for both are very similar.

When Will Morning Sickness End?

For many pregnant women, morning sickness starts to slow or stop at or around 12 weeks gestation. Lasting longer can indicate HG, but not always. If this is the only symptom you have for HG, it's probably not a concern. But only your doctor can tell you for sure.

When Should I Consult My Doctor?

Consult your OB or midwife if you have any of the symptoms for HG or you are concerned for other reasons. Even just a feeling is enough reason to ask your doctor to check things out. Having given birth to six kids, with more than one being a high risk pregnancy, I know full well that you can never be too cautious. Your OB or midwife will likely tell you what I would: better to ask about "too many" questions or concerns than not enough.