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It's normal to feel sick to your stomach and throw up in early pregnancy. In fact, many women view these symptoms as signs that their pregnancy is probably healthy.

Research shows they're right to think this. A review of more than 15,000 pregnant women found that those who had morning sickness were less likely to have a miscarriage.¹

Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy can make life miserable for a while, and it can affect how much you can do.² More than a third of pregnant women who get morning sickness miss time from work.³ And more than a quarter of pregnant women who get it aren’t able to do as much housework as usual.³

The good news is the symptoms usually get better after the first three months of pregnancy.⁴ But the nausea and vomiting can go on longer. About 1 in 10 women still feel sick to their stomach after 20 weeks of pregnancy.⁴

Most women have mild cases of nausea and vomiting. But if you have more severe morning sickness, you may feel:

• Helpless and isolated, since nonstop nausea and frequent vomiting can limit your activities⁵
• Worried about your health and your baby's health. Remember that nausea and vomiting are unlikely to harm your health or your unborn baby's.⁶

If you have the very severe nausea and vomiting called hyperemesis gravidarum, you will probably spend some time in the hospital. You may be admitted a few times.

If hyperemesis gravidarum is not treated, severe vomiting can lead to serious problems, such as:^{7 8}

• Wernicke's encephalopathy, a brain disease brought on by lack of vitamin B-1 (thiamine). This can cause confusion, memory loss, eye problems and difficulty coordinating your movements. It can be treated with injections or supplements of vitamin B-1.⁹
• Collapsed lung¹⁰
• Kidney or liver damage
• Damage to your eyes
• Low birth weight for your baby¹¹
• Early labor¹¹
• Some studies show that there is a higher risk of malformations in your baby.¹¹ But others suggest there is no increase in risk.¹⁰
• Death of your unborn child.

These problems are rare because most women who get hyperemesis gravidarum are treated. A study of nearly 200 women with hyperemesis gravidarum found that they were no more likely to have an early labor, a small baby or health problems for either themselves or their baby than those who did not have the condition.⁶

Whether your nausea and vomiting is mild or serious, it won't go on forever. Your morning sickness will stop naturally. This often happens suddenly.

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment. ©BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2008. All rights reserved.