As unpleasant as it is, most women know to expect morning sickness when they become pregnant. And while a lucky few won’t experience this uncomfortable pregnancy symptom, it is very common and absolutely normal. Unfortunately, and despite the name, sickness during pregnancy can happen morning or evening, day or night.

But there is some good news: it shouldn’t continue throughout your pregnancy.

When will morning sickness stop?

Morning sickness usually subsides between 16 and 20 weeks. And in the meantime, there are a few things you can try to ease symptoms.

Are there any treatments for morning sickness?

If your morning sickness isn’t too bad, you can try the following:

Get plenty of rest.
Eat dry foods before you get out of bed - a slice of toast or a biscuit can often do the trick.
Avoid any foods or smells that make you nauseous.
Eat smaller meals more frequently.
Eat cold foods instead of hot meals.
Eat foods that contain ginger.
Drink plenty of fluids.

If the nausea and vomiting you experience are severe, speak to your doctor as soon as possible as you may be experiencing hyperemesis gravidarum. This is a severe type of morning sickness that could prevent you from getting enough fluid and food into your body. If you’re vomiting a lot and have any of the following symptoms, call your doctor:

Your urine is very dark or you have not peed over a period of 8 hours.
You feel very dizzy and faint.
Your tummy hurts.

You have lost weight.
There is blood in your vomit.
You are unable to keep food and fluids down.

For severe sickness, your doctor may prescribe a course of anti-sickness medicine known as antiemetic, which is safe to use during pregnancy. These are taken aurally but if you’re unable to keep them down, you may be given an injection or a medicine that can be inserted into the bottom.

What should I know about vomiting and morning sickness in pregnancy?

Unii looks at two of the least pleasant aspects of being pregnant, as well as hyperemesis gravidarum.