Morning sickness - Introduction

Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy (NVP) is an unwelcome but perfectly normal part of pregnancy. It does not put your baby at any increased risk.

Although it is commonly called morning sickness, NVP can occur at any time of the day.

How common is NVP?

During early pregnancy, nausea, vomiting and tiredness are common symptoms. Around half of all pregnant women experience nausea and vomiting, and around 3 in 10 women experience nausea without vomiting.

Outlook

NVP usually starts to get better after the first three months of pregnancy. However, some women continue to experience NVP for a longer period. About 1 woman in 10 continues to feel sick after week 20 of their pregnancy.

NVP is sometimes considered to be a minor inconvenience of pregnancy, but it can have a significant, adverse effect on an expectant mother s day-to-day activities and quality of life.

NVP can often be treated by making dietary changes and taking plenty of rest. The support of family and friends can also make NVP more manageable.