Got a queasy, yucky feeling in the pit of your stomach? Have you had some bouts with vomiting? You aren't alone. About half of all pregnant women experience nausea and sometimes vomiting in the first trimester - often called morning sickness because symptoms tend to be most severe in the morning. However, some women have nausea and vomiting throughout the day as well as throughout their pregnancy. It is thought that morning sickness may be due to the changes in hormone levels during pregnancy. Fortunately, morning sickness typically ends by about 14 weeks of pregnancy and rarely interferes with proper maternal and fetal nutrition.

Morning sickness seems to be aggravated by stress, traveling, and certain foods high in protein and fat. To reduce your symptoms, try eating small meals several times a day. Some women find that a diet high in complex carbohydrates (such as whole wheat bread, pasta, bananas, and green, leafy vegetables) helps reduce the severity of nausea. Others find that eating crackers before getting out of bed seems to help. Studies have found that alternative therapies such as ginger root, vitamin B6, and acupressure can be helpful in relieving nausea. Be sure to talk with your physician first before considering any treatment or therapy to relieve symptoms of morning sickness.

If you are vomiting frequently or so severely that you are beginning to lose fluids and weight, it may indicate a condition called hyperemesis gravidarum. Hyperemesis gravidarum can lead to dehydration and may require hospitalization for intravenous fluids and nutrition. Call your physician immediately if you are having constant and/or severe nausea and vomiting.