Morning sickness relief
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- Ginger chews or candies. Best for: A food-based ginger option. See options on Amazon
- Sea-Band acupressure wristbands. Best for: A drug-free option to try. See options on Amazon
- Plain saltine crackers. Best for: Eating before getting out of bed. See options on Amazon
What morning sickness is
The OWH explains that in the first trimester, hormone changes can cause nausea and vomiting. This is called morning sickness, although it can occur at any time of day, and it usually tapers off by the second trimester.
A Cochrane review notes that nausea, retching and vomiting are very commonly experienced in early pregnancy and can have considerable physical, social and psychological effects. Severe, persistent vomiting (hyperemesis gravidarum) is a separate condition that needs medical care.
Everyday steps that may help
- Small, frequent meals. The OWH suggests several small meals instead of three large ones, to keep your stomach from being empty.
- Before getting up. Eat dry toast, saltines or dry cereal before getting out of bed in the morning.
- Bland foods. Choose foods that are low in fat and easy to digest, such as cereal, rice and bananas.
- Small sips. Sip water, weak tea or clear soft drinks, or eat ice chips.
- Stay upright. Do not lie down after meals.
- Avoid triggers. Stay away from smells that upset your stomach.
It can help to plan ahead: keep a small snack and a water bottle by the bed, in your bag and at work so your stomach is never empty for long. Cold or room-temperature foods often smell less than hot meals, which may make them easier to eat. If cooking smells are a trigger, ask someone else to cook when possible or open a window. Keep a simple log of what helps and what makes nausea worse, and share it with your provider at your next visit.
What the research says
| Option | Cochrane finding | Practical note |
|---|---|---|
| Ginger products | May be helpful, but evidence was limited and not consistent; three recent studies supported ginger over placebo | Ask your pregnancy care provider before using ginger supplements |
| P6 acupressure and acustimulation | Evidence of effectiveness was limited | Wristbands are drug-free, but results vary |
| Vitamin B6 and anti-nausea medicines | Only limited trial evidence for mild or moderate symptoms | Use only as your provider directs |
The review included 41 trials involving 5449 women. The authors concluded there is a lack of high-quality evidence for any particular intervention, which they stressed is not the same as saying the treatments do not work. Acupuncture showed no significant benefit, and no trials of diet or lifestyle changes were included.
Ginger, bands and vitamin B6
Because the evidence is limited, treat these as options to discuss, not proven fixes:
- Ginger. See our ginger chews guide and ginger tea guide for how products differ. Ginger tea or chews as food are different from concentrated supplements.
- Acupressure bands. See our motion sickness bands guide for how mechanical wristbands work and their limits.
- Vitamin B6. Many prenatal vitamins already contain B6. See our vitamin B6 guide and do not add a separate supplement without asking your provider.
Medicines: ask first
The Cochrane review included vitamin B6, a doxylamine and pyridoxine combination, and other anti-nausea drugs, and found only limited trial evidence to support them for mild or moderate nausea and vomiting. It also found little information on effects on mothers and babies.
Do not start any over-the-counter medicine, sleep aid or herbal supplement for nausea during pregnancy without talking to your doctor, midwife or pharmacist. If your prenatal vitamin seems to make nausea worse, ask whether you can take it at a different time of day; see our prenatal vitamin guide.
When to call your doctor
The OWH says to call your doctor if you have severe, constant nausea or vomiting several times every day, or if you have flu-like symptoms, which may signal a more serious condition. Also call if you cannot keep fluids down, notice signs of dehydration such as very dark urine or dizziness, or are losing weight.
In a medical emergency, the OWH says to call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
What to look for when you buy
Ginger chews or candies
Best for: A food-based ginger option
A Cochrane review found ginger may help early pregnancy nausea, though evidence was limited and inconsistent.
Watch out: Ask your provider before using concentrated ginger supplements.
See options on AmazonSea-Band acupressure wristbands
Best for: A drug-free option to try
The Cochrane review covered P6 acupressure, though evidence of effectiveness was limited.
Watch out: Results vary; stop if the band causes pain or swelling.
See options on AmazonPlain saltine crackers
Best for: Eating before getting out of bed
The OWH suggests dry toast, saltines or dry cereal before getting out of bed in the morning.
Watch out: Keep fluids up with small sips.
See options on AmazonQuestions people ask
- What helps morning sickness fast?
- The OWH suggests small meals, plain crackers before getting up, bland foods, small sips of fluid and avoiding trigger smells.
- Does ginger help morning sickness?
- A Cochrane review found it may help, but evidence was limited and not consistent.
- Do acupressure bands work for morning sickness?
- The Cochrane review found evidence for P6 acupressure was limited.
- When does morning sickness stop?
- The OWH says it usually tapers off by the second trimester.
- When should I call a doctor about morning sickness?
- For severe, constant nausea or vomiting several times a day, or flu-like symptoms, per the OWH.
Sources
- Body changes and discomforts (womenshealth.gov), Office on Women's Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- Interventions for nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy (Cochrane review, 2015) (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov), Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (PubMed 26348534)