Morning sickness: what to expect and how to cope

Despite its name, morning sickness can strike at any time of day — and for many women it's an all-day event. It typically begins around week 6, peaks between weeks 8–10, and eases for most women by the end of the first trimester, though some experience it longer. The nausea is driven by rapidly rising hCG and estrogen levels.

Eating small, frequent meals of bland foods, staying hydrated with cold water or ginger tea, keeping crackers at your bedside to eat before getting up, and getting plenty of rest are the most consistently effective strategies. Severe vomiting that prevents keeping food or fluids down warrants a call to your provider.