If you’re one of the 50% of women who experiences morning sickness during pregnancy, you may wonder when it will start. Although the answer to this question can vary from woman to woman and even from pregnancy to pregnancy, here are some general guidelines.
Although in some cases it can occur earlier, the majority of women who are going to experience this condition will start to feel the initial symptoms between 4 and 7 weeks of pregnancy. It may just feel like a slight queasiness in your stomach, you may find yourself gagging throughout the day or you may even start vomiting during this time. Some women can eat a small snack such as saltine crackers and have it settle their stomach and other women experience more severe symptoms that require treatment. Typically, this will last until the beginning of the second trimester or around 13 – 14 weeks of your pregnancy.
If you find yourself extremely sick and cannot keep down fluids, you should contact your doctor or visit the emergency room. Some women wind up with a condition known as hyperemesis gravidarum and may vomit excessively to the point of dehydration. Treatment for this condition will include medication to help ease the nausea and rehydration via an IV solution.
And other fortunate women will not experience any sickness during their pregnancy at all. It is a myth that the absence of morning sickness means that there is something wrong with your pregnancy or with your baby – so don’t let it worry you. If you find yourself not feeling any symptoms by your 8th week, you’re more than likely not going to have any sickness during this pregnancy. This is not to say that you may experience it during subsequent pregnancies though.
So although you never know if and when morning sickness will start, you should enjoy the initial stages of your pregnancy. Then if you do find yourself with nausea or vomiting, take care of yourself to make sure that you and your unborn baby stay healthy and hydrated.