Speak to your GP, obstetrician or midwife if either
- your morning sickness is severe, or
- you're unable to keep water down without vomiting
Urgent medical help
You may need treatment or have to go to hospital if you have any of the following symptoms:
- being sick and unable to keep any fluids down for 24 hours
- feeling dizzy or faint
- losing weight
- having very dark-coloured pee
- not peeing as much as usual, especially if it's been more than 8 hours since you last peed
- vomiting blood
- feeling pain when peeing, or seeing any blood in your pee
Important
Contact your GP, midwife or obstetrician immediately if you have any of these symptoms
Severe morning sickness - how your health professional can help
Your GP, obstetrician or midwife may:
- give you advice on ways to help your symptoms
- give you a sickness certificate for work if they feel you need rest
- prescribe some medication
- ask you to go to the maternity hospital or emergency department
Questions they might ask you
You may be asked questions to find out if:
- you're keeping fluids down, such as water
- you're keeping food down
- your pee is very dark in colour
- you have other symptoms such as pain in your tummy or pain when passing peeing
- you have lost any weight
- this has happened before in previous pregnancies
- you have tried anything to help with your morning sickness
Tests for severe morning sickness
You might be offered the following examinations:
- pulse and blood pressure tests
- pressing gently on your tummy
- testing your pee for signs of infection
- testing your pee for a substance called ketones - ketones in your urine may be a sign you are becoming dehydrated
Medication for severe morning sickness
Your GP or midwife may prescribe an anti-emetic.
An anti-emetic is anti-sickness medication.
You'll be given one that's safe to take during pregnancy, if your morning sickness is severe.
It's usually prescribed as a tablet that you'll need to swallow. Always read the label to make sure you take the correct amount of medication at the correct times.