Nausea during pregnancy, also known as morning sickness, is a common symptom that affects up to 70% of pregnant people in the first trimester of pregnancy. The exact cause of nausea during pregnancy is not completely understood, but it is thought to be linked to the production of the human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) hormone, which the body begins to produce once the fertilized egg attaches to the uterine lining. Other contributing factors might be estrogen, a sensitive stomach, and stress or fatigue.

Mild to moderate nausea and vomiting during pregnancy usually isn’t harmful to the pregnant person or the fetus. However, it can become a problem if the pregnant person can’t keep food or liquid down, become dehydrated, and lose weight. Severe nausea and vomiting can prevent the pregnant person from getting the nutrition they need and affect the baby’s weight at birth. If left untreated, severe nausea and vomiting can cause a lack of bodily fluids, a condition known as dehydration, and an imbalance in electrolytes.

There are various at-home treatments for morning sickness, including diet and lifestyle changes. Some obstetricians recommend over-the-counter (OTC) medications for nausea. Treatments for morning sickness include vitamin B-6 supplements (pyridoxine), ginger, and drugs such as doxylamine (Unisom) . If nausea and vomiting are severe and do not improve after trying lifestyle changes, a short-term course of an anti-sickness medicine, called an antiemetic, thats safe to use in pregnancy may be recommended by a doctor.

It is important to note that morning sickness does not hurt the baby in any way unless the pregnant person loses weight, such as with severe vomiting. Mild weight loss during the first trimester is not uncommon when women have moderate symptoms, and it is not harmful to the baby.