If you're reading this while trying not to barf, hi. I see you. Nearly three-quarters of pregnant women deal with morning sickness at some point, and if you've already noticed that "morning" sickness has absolutely no respect for the time of day, welcome to the club nobody asked to join.
I've been writing about pregnancy since 2010, I have two kids of my own, and I've collected every tip, trick, and weird remedy my readers have sworn by over the years. Sadly, there's no magic bullet and what works brilliantly for one person does absolutely nothing for another. But there are enough options here that most people land on something that helps, so let's go through them.
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First, a quick but important distinction: Morning sickness is the nausea and vomiting that comes with the first trimester hormone surge. It's miserable, but it's common and usually eases up around weeks 12–14.
It is not the same as hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), which is like morning sickness cranked up to a level that requires actual medical intervention. If you genuinely can't keep anything down — food, water, anything — call your OB or midwife today. Dehydration is no joke and it affects your baby too.
Natural Remedies Worth Trying
1. Ginger – yes, really, it's not just an old wives' tale
I know. It sounds like something your grandmother would suggest. But ginger consistently shows up as the most effective natural remedy, and the delivery method is pretty flexible:
- Ginger ale (check that it actually contains real ginger)
- Ginger snaps or chews
- Candied ginger
- Fresh ginger steeped in hot water with a bit of honey
These morning sickness candies get rave reviews from readers and are worth throwing in your bag.
2. Vitamin B6
This one has actual research behind it. Taking 25mg of vitamin B6 three times a day (75mg total) has been shown to reduce pregnancy nausea. Nobody's entirely sure why it works, but it's one of the most commonly recommended first steps before jumping to medication, and it's pretty low-risk.
3. Sour stuff
Lemons in water, lemonade popsicles, and (this one came up constantly in reader comments) Sour Patch Kids. There's something about that sharp sour hit that cuts through nausea for a lot of people. It also feels like a much more enjoyable remedy to experiment with than, say, apple cider vinegar (more on that later).
4. Never let yourself get hungry
An empty stomach is basically an open invitation for nausea. The move is to keep blood sugar steady all day long:
- Keep crackers on your nightstand and eat a few before you even sit up in the morning
- Snack every one to two hours, keeping portions small
- Chewing gum between snacks helps too (Pür gum is a reader favorite for those avoiding aspartame)
5. Eat a small protein-rich snack before bed
Cheese, a handful of nuts, a hard-boiled egg – something with protein before sleep can help stabilize your blood sugar overnight and head off that wall of nausea that tends to hit first thing in the morning.
6. Stop taking your prenatal on an empty stomach
Prenatal vitamins, especially ones with iron, can make nausea so much worse. Take yours with food, even if it's just a couple of crackers. Even better, try taking it right before bed so you sleep through the worst of it.
7. Sniffing things (stay with me)
Aromatherapy sounds a little woo-woo but genuinely helps some people. A cut lemon, peppermint oil, or these little inhalers from this essential oil set that you can discreetly sniff anywhere. Don't knock it until you've tried it at the bottom of a very bad nausea wave.
8. Bland food is your best friend right now
The classic BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast) is a solid starting point, but readers have also had success with:
- Plain boiled or baked potatoes
- Pretzels
- Plain broth
- Plain noodles
Low-fat, low-smell, easy on the stomach. Save the exciting meals for the second trimester.
9. Peppermint tea
It helps settle nausea and also helps you stay hydrated when the idea of drinking anything feels horrible.
10. Preggie Drops or hard candy
I used Preggie Drops during both my pregnancies and genuinely liked them. They have a mild sour kick and are just helpful enough to take the edge off between meals. Also makes you feel slightly less tragic than eating plain crackers in bed, which counts for something.
11. Acupressure wristbands
These apply pressure to the P6 point on your wrist, which is linked to nausea relief. They're cheap, have zero side effects, and some people find them really effective. Sea Bands often come up as a good pick.
12. Anise or fennel seeds
A traditional upset-stomach remedy (you just chew on them). The flavor is strong and polarizing, but if you like licorice, this might actually be your thing.
13. Apple cider vinegar
One tablespoon of ACV mixed with one tablespoon of honey in cold water before bed. Look, I'm going to be straight with you — the idea of this makes me want to gag. But enough people swear by it that I have to include it. Maybe you're braver than I am.
14. Boost your iron through food
Low iron can make fatigue and nausea worse. Beef, eggs, leafy greens, sardines, and dried fruit are good sources. If iron supplements are wrecking your stomach, the , is a gentler option worth looking into.
When the natural stuff isn't cutting it, please talk to your doctor
There is no medal for suffering through this without help. If you've tried a bunch of things from the list above and you're still struggling, tell your provider. Dehydration is a real risk, and it affects your baby, so getting relief isn't just about your comfort, it genuinely matters.
Over-the-counter options:
- Antihistamines - Often a first recommendation from OBs. Can help with nausea, though drowsiness is a common side effect.
- Unisom + B6 - This combination is widely used and well-regarded. It's essentially what the prescription version contains, so many doctors will suggest trying this first.
Prescription options:
- Diclegis/Bonjesta (Diclectin in Canada) - A combination of B6 and doxylamine. It was incorrectly pulled from the US market over birth defect concerns that turned out to be unfounded, and it's been used safely in Canada and other countries for decades. Considered a solid, well-studied choice.
- Phenergan (promethazine) - A prescription antihistamine for more stubborn nausea.
- Zofran (ondansetron) - This is one of the more commonly prescribed medications for nausea in pregnancy, but it's worth knowing that it is not FDA-approved for use in pregnancy (it's prescribed off-label). Most studies suggest it is relatively safe, but this is an active area of research with mixed findings. Have a thorough conversation with your provider so you can weigh the risks and benefits for your specific situation.
What if nothing works?
For some people – and I say this with so much empathy – the only cure is delivery day. That is genuinely awful and unfair, and if you're there, please know you're not doing anything wrong and you're not alone. Stay in close contact with your care team, focus on hydration above everything else, and accept every bit of help offered to you.
And for the record — the universe owes you an easy-going baby, a kind teenager, and a winning lottery ticket.
Have you found something that actually works for you? Drop it in the comments! Some of the best tips on this list came from readers. Updated March 2026.
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