Morning Sickness: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Harsha Moole, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Morning Sickness?
Morning sickness is usually cared for by an obstetrician-gynecologist (an ob-gyn, a doctor who cares for women during pregnancy) or another obstetric care provider, such as a certified nurse-midwife. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is morning sickness?
Morning sickness is nausea and vomiting that can occur at any time of the day during pregnancy. It is very common. Most pregnant women have at least some nausea, and about one third have vomiting. Morning sickness usually does not harm the baby.
Symptoms
The main symptoms are nausea, a sick feeling in the stomach, and vomiting. Some women also have dizziness and headaches. Symptoms often start early in the day, but they can happen at any time. For some women, they last all day.
Morning sickness usually starts before 9 weeks of pregnancy. For most women, it goes away by 14 weeks. For some women, it lasts for several weeks or months. For a few women, it lasts through the whole pregnancy.
Causes and who gets it
The exact cause is not known. Most experts think hormone changes during pregnancy cause it. Lower blood sugar early in pregnancy may also play a part.
Some things can make nausea worse. These include a stronger sense of smell, reflux (stomach acid that backs up), emotional stress, tiredness, travel, and some foods.
Nausea in pregnancy is more common and can be worse with twins or triplets. Severe nausea and vomiting is more likely if you had it in an earlier pregnancy or if your mother or sister had it. A history of motion sickness or migraines also raises the risk.
How doctors diagnose it
Your provider will ask about your symptoms and do a physical exam. They will look for signs of dehydration, which means the body does not have enough water.
Your provider will first want to know whether your symptoms come from morning sickness or from another medical cause. Other causes include an ulcer, a food-related illness, and thyroid or gallbladder disease. Clues to another cause include nausea and vomiting that starts for the first time after 9 weeks, belly pain or tenderness, fever, headache, or swelling in the front of the neck.
Treatment
Changes in diet and lifestyle might help you feel better. These steps may help:
- Eat dry toast or crackers in the morning before you get out of bed.
- Eat five or six small meals a day so your stomach is never empty.
- Try bland foods, and add protein to each meal.
- Drink fluids throughout the day. Seltzer or ginger ale may help.
- Stay away from foods and smells that trigger nausea.
- Try ginger, such as ginger candy or tea.
- Try acupressure wristbands, which press on points on the wrist.
If changes in diet and lifestyle do not help, you might need medicine. Vitamin B6 is a safe, over-the-counter treatment that may be tried first. Doxylamine, found in over-the-counter sleep aids, can be added if vitamin B6 alone does not help. A prescription drug that combines both is also available. Do not take any medicine for morning sickness without talking with your provider first.
Other anti-nausea drugs may be prescribed if those do not work. For example, ondansetron is highly effective, but studies are not clear about its safety for the baby. It has also been linked to heart-rhythm problems, especially in people with certain health conditions.
When to see a doctor
Talk with your ob-gyn or other obstetric care provider if morning sickness affects your life and worries you. Call them if you have signs of dehydration:
- You pass only a small amount of dark urine, or you cannot urinate.
- You cannot keep down liquids.
- You feel dizzy or faint when you stand up.
- Your heart is racing or pounding.
Also contact your provider if you vomit more than 3 times a day, lose more than 2 pounds in a week, or still have nausea and vomiting after your 4th month.
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you lose consciousness, have severe belly pain, or vomit blood or material that looks like coffee grounds.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Either can be a first stop to talk about your symptoms, check for other causes, and refer you to an ob-gyn or other obstetric care provider.
Common questions
Does morning sickness harm the baby?
Usually not. It does not hurt the baby unless you lose weight, such as with severe vomiting.
What is hyperemesis gravidarum?
Hyperemesis gravidarum is the most severe form of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. It occurs in up to 3 percent of pregnancies. It may be diagnosed when a woman has lost 5 percent of her weight from before pregnancy and has signs of dehydration.
Is it safe to take medicine for morning sickness?
Some medicines are considered safe, but ask your provider before you take any. Vitamin B6 and doxylamine, taken alone or together, have been found safe in pregnancy with no harmful effects on the baby.
Can a prenatal vitamin help with morning sickness?
Yes, it may. ACOG says studies show that taking a vitamin supplement before and during pregnancy lowers the risk of severe nausea and vomiting. Taking the vitamin at night, with a little food, may help because its iron can irritate the stomach.
Sources
- ACOG - Morning Sickness: Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy
- MedlinePlus - Morning sickness
- MedlinePlus - Morning sickness (patient instructions)
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
