- Morning sickness often starts around 5-6 weeks of pregnancy, can come and go, and usually peaks between 8-12 weeks.
- Most people feel nausea, vomiting, food aversions and heightened sensitivity to smells, but symptoms vary.
- You can ease symptoms or morning sickness with small, frequent meals, keeping hydrated, vitamin B6, ginger, fresh air, and avoiding triggers.
- Seek advice from your GP if your nausea is severe, persistent, or you can’t keep fluids down as this may signal hyperemesis gravidarum.
Morning sickness is a very common part of early pregnancy, and while it's completely normal, it can also feel overwhelming, exhausting and unpredictable.
For some, it’s mild nausea that comes and goes. For others, it’s persistent sickness that affects daily life.
Our morning sickness guide aims to help you understand why morning sickness happens, when it typically starts and ends, what it feels like, and what you can do to ease it.
Whether you're newly pregnant or supporting someone who is, our helpful tips and explanations can offer you clarity and reassurance.
When will morning sickness start?
Typically, nausea and vomiting strikes between weeks six and nine of your first trimester - around the same time that cravings commonly start.
Symptoms can appear gradually, with an increased aversion to certain foods and smell over time, or can seem to develop overnight, like a bad hangover.
Although every pregnancy is different, sickness symptoms are usually at their worst around week 10 or 12.
How long does it take to get morning sickness?
Symptoms can start suddenly or gradually build over several days.
How long does morning sickness last?
Most people start experiencing nausea and vomiting caused from around six to nine weeks into their pregnancy, and most will notice their symptoms ease at around 16 to 20 weeks.
Some experience morning sickness for longer and can see it last for several months or even into their third trimester.
While uncommon, around one to three in every 100 pregnant people can experience a severe form of morning sickness called hyperemesis gravidarum (HG).
What is hyperemesis gravidarum?
Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is a severe form of pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting.
It’s much more intense than typical morning sickness and can significantly impact your ability to eat, drink, and carry out day-to-day activities. According to the NHS, around one to three in every 100 pregnant people in the UK get HG.
It's not clear why some people suffer more, although hormone levels and a family history of HG have been noted as potential causes.
What causes morning sickness?
Morning sickness is believed to be triggered by a combination of pregnancy-related changes, including:
- Rising levels of hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin)
- Increased oestrogen and progesterone
- A heightened sense of smell
- Fatigue and lower blood sugar
- Sensitivity to certain foods or movements
While the exact cause isn’t fully understood, these hormonal shifts are thought to be the primary drivers.
What does morning sickness feel like?
Morning sickness affects every pregnant person differently. Some feel nauseated for a short time each day and vomit once or twice. Others experience nausea that lasts several hours each day, and they vomit more often.
Morning sickness can feel different for everyone, but common sensations include:
- Waves of nausea
- Vomiting
- Strong aversions to certain smells or foods
- Increased saliva
- Sensitivity to movement
- Feeling faint or light-headed
Although often called "morning" sickness, it can happen any time of day or night.
