When does morning sickness end?

The most typical symptom following conception is nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (commonly referred to as “morning sickness”). This is a normal early-pregnancy reaction, though its severity varies significantly among women. Symptoms typically begin around the fifth week of pregnancy—though some women may experience them even earlier. At this stage, pregnant women often feel nauseated upon smelling certain odors, lose their appetite, and may gradually lose weight. But when does morning sickness end? Let’s explore this further.

When Does Morning Sickness End?

Morning sickness is one of the hallmark symptoms of early pregnancy, usually beginning around gestational week 6 and subsiding by approximately week 12.

The first trimester encompasses the initial three months of pregnancy (weeks 1–12). During this period, embryonic growth is relatively slow, and changes in the placenta and maternal tissues remain minimal. Approximately half of all pregnant women begin experiencing symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue, loss of appetite, cravings for sour foods, aversion to greasy foods, nausea, and vomiting—especially upon waking—collectively termed “early-pregnancy reactions.” For most women, these symptoms spontaneously resolve by around week 12. Other common sensations include breast fullness and tenderness, occasional nipple tingling or shooting pains, pronounced fatigue requiring increased sleep, and urinary frequency due to uterine enlargement compressing the bladder. Maternal body temperature may rise slightly, and the uterus enlarges to roughly the size of a goose egg—slightly larger than pre-pregnancy but not yet visibly apparent on the abdominal surface.

There are no documented cases of fetal death directly caused by morning sickness. By week 16, morning sickness typically resolves completely. Furthermore, inadequate nutrition during this period does not result in delivering an abnormally small infant.

Even with persistent vomiting, complete fasting should be avoided. Nutritional intake can be maintained through easily digestible options such as ice cream, popsicles, or chilled fruit juices, while ensuring adequate hydration. If mood or nausea is particularly severe upon waking, consuming soda crackers or lightly toasted rice cakes while still in bed may help. When swallowing is difficult, holding an ice cube in the mouth can soothe the stomach by cooling it.

The above outlines key information regarding the duration and resolution of morning sickness.We hope this information is helpful—and wish you a joyful and healthy pregnancy!