MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Morning sickness

Medical Encyclopedia

Morning sickness

Morning sickness usually begins during the first month of pregnancy and continues until the 14th to 16th week. Although, some women can have nausea and vomiting through their entire pregnancy. Morning sickness is very common and does not hurt the baby in any way.

The exact cause of morning sickness is unknown. However, it may be caused by either hormonal changes or lower blood sugar during early pregnancy. Emotional stress, traveling, or some foods can aggravate the problem.

Update Date: 2/5/2008

Updated by: Peter Chen, MD, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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