Can Morning Sickness Start at 8 Weeks Pregnant?

Updated on January 23, 2009
J.R. asks from Brookline, MA
19 answers

Hi,
I am pregnant with my second and I am just a few days past 8 weeks. I've been feeling tired, and slightly nautious, but have not thrown up at all. Last night I was very sick, mostly dry heaving with a little more than that. Is it possible for this to start at 8 weeks, or do I maybe have something else, like a stomache bug?

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.B.

answers from Boston on

It is probably a stomach bug. I have 2 kids and with both pregnancies I ended up with 24 hr vomiting. With the first one I thought it was morning sickness at first and thought "Oh no! This is horrible!" Then when it went on all day long I called the doctor. They gave me a shot for nausea and that helped. The 2nd pregnancy I knew better and called the doctor right away and got the shot!
Hope you feel better soon!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.M.

answers from Boston on

Hi J.,
congratulations - and - yes!! Welcome to the world of pregnancy induced "morning" sickness! I am 22 weeks pregnant with my second, and every night from week 7 through week 12 I threw up (and felt extremely naseous when not actually vomiting) - lots of dry heaves,too. No fun!
Luckily for me, at exactly 12 weeks I stopped throwing up, and am now feeling much better (except for the anemia, but that's another story! lol!).

You will have to find what works for you - I asked this very forum, and the things that came back were so individual - many of the things people reported as helpful made me green just reading about them! Most people did report that dry and salty worked for them - just eat what you can get down and don't worry about it - when you feel better you will eat better.

Congratulations!
Warmly,
E.

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.H.

answers from Hartford on

Hi J.,
I was very lucky, I only was sick one day I was 6 weeks prego & didn't even know it. I took the test a week later & I found out. So the answer is Yes it is most likely morning sickness.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.K.

answers from Springfield on

With my second I was sick before I even knew I was pregnant and it lasted the entire 9 months even though my dr. said it peaks at 10-12 weeks and gradually decrease mine never did.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.L.

answers from Boston on

It is possible, though it's also possible that you have a bug.

If it is morning sickness, I highly recommend acupuncture -- in my first 2 pregnancies, I was sick for the entire 9 months -- in my third, I got acupuncture through the first trimester, and had very little morning sickness.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.T.

answers from Boston on

Morning sickness can start at any time. Eight weeks actually sounds late to me. It can last any length of time. Seems like for most it subsides after the 1st trimester, but for some it can last most of the pregnancy. I had very bad morning sickness, but only actually threw up a few times. I just had that nautious feeling ALL DAY!!! Hope it doesnt last long for you, eat frequent small meals and drink plenty of water.. Hope this helps Good Luck

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.R.

answers from Boston on

Yes, morning sickness can start at 8 weeks pregnant. The time that morning sickness usually starts is between 4 and 8 weeks. I began mine at 7 weeks pregnant. It started with one bout and then I ended up with hyperemesis gravidarum...not fun. I hope yours doesn't turn out the same way. If it comes on and off again, you'll know that it is morning sickness and not the flu...good luck:)

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.B.

answers from Boston on

I started before eight weeks and went all the way until the day I gave birth with sickness. Hopefully you will not get that. I would only think it was a stomach bug if you are projectile vomitting, then I would get it checked out.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.M.

answers from Boston on

Hi J.,

About the 7th or 8th week is when "morning sickness" typically kicks in, according to many doctors and most pregnancy books. I know it can be hard to tell the difference between that and a bug at first, but a bug will go away within a few days. "Morning sickness" often sticks around until the 1st trimester is over, or sometimes longer. Please know that you're in good company and I wish you all the best!
K.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.Z.

answers from Boston on

You can absolutely have nausea or just feel nauseous off and on at this point in the pregnancy! I felt that way with my pregnancies right before I found out I was pregnant, so around 5-6 weeks. I never threw up, just felt low-grade nausea and general fatigue for the first trimester. Some women have none of this, some throw up the entire pregnancy, and everything in between. There is really no normal in the world of pregnancy for some people! If you had a bug you would probably throw up a lot for 12 hours or so, then it would subside. Every pregnancy is different, too, so you might not have had these symptoms the first time around. Congrats and hope you feel better soon!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.L.

answers from Portland on

With both my pregnancies I started dry-heaving around 7-8 weeks. The first pregnancy it ended around week 16. With my second it lasted 7 months.
Start paying careful attention to your protein intake and blood/sugar levels.

Best of luck to you.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.H.

answers from Lewiston on

I started morning sickness at 6 weeks with my current pregnancy, so yes it can happen! Just be sure to stay hydrated when you can and get rest. If it gets any worse, be sure to talk to your doctor. I had hyperemesis with both pregnancies, but I know morning sickness can start early for many! Good luck and hang in there, D.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.F.

answers from Boston on

Congrats! You could have morning sickness. I was sick at 8 weeks with my first and 6 weeks with my second. Hopefully it will not last long for you. I was done around 16 weeks. Good luck and keep hydrated!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.S.

answers from Springfield on

With my first child I started feeling nauseous right at 8 weeks. Then it lasted all day and night through the 2nd and into the 3rd trimester. In a book I have called Great Expectations it says that your hormone is highest around this week. I'm 7 weeks pregnant now and I'm anticipating it happening any day now. I know that there has been a stomach bug going around, at least in this area. I hear it all the time and I had it 2 times, my husband once within about 2 months. It has vomiting and/or diarrhea and very nauseous. I even had it when I was about 4 weeks along, but didn't know it at the time. My sympathies are with you, ahhh...pregnancy is wonderful isn't it?!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.G.

answers from Boston on

hi
It is definately morning sickness. I am 9 weeks pregnant and I have been sick for 2 weeks already. Keep saltines and ginger ale with you at all times.
Good Luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

H.R.

answers from Bangor on

Congrats J.! Yes, I felt morning sickness quickly after getting pregnant, but if the dry heaving continues, call your OB. And yes, there is a stomach bug going around right now. Good luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.K.

answers from Boston on

It could be a bug, but my morning sickness started at 7-8 weeks with my first. I would just keep pushing fluids and try to get something in your stomach. Crackers and toast were my key to keeping the morning sickness at bay!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.M.

answers from Boston on

Unfortunately it can! I started actually throwing up at week 7 after finding out I was pregnant at week 6. I also thought I had the stomach bug...however after three days of calling out sick I realized it was definitely from being prgenant. And for me, that lasted through week 18. Good luck!!

D.B.

answers from Boston on

Sure it's possible - every pregnancy is different, and remember that with a second pregnancy, you already have a kid who's tiring you out. If you aren't keeping much down, you can also have your blood sure level drop to the point that you are nauseated because of that too - it's called "hyperemesis gravidum" which is fancy medical Latin for "constantly barfing during pregnancy." Did you have this at all during your first pregnancy? If not, do you know the common OTC cures? Ginger ale, stirred flat - use regular, not diet because you need the sugar in it, but ginger is very soothing to the stomach. Eat a lot of small meals and always try to keep something in your stomach. You could try a great liquid nutritional supplement too, to be sure that whatever nutrients you DO take in and keep down are getting into your cells and being fully absorbed - I can suggest an excellent one if you want to go that route. There are also meds to control nausea that are often prescribed during pregnancy - some women are thrilled with this, others don't want to use meds at all.

I think, if you can keep your blood sugar level as stable as possible, it might help. When I worked in a women's clinic, we saw this in women all the time - often we just ran an IV of water, salt & sugar - it bypassed the stomach and got the sugar level up, and stopped the nausea. Once you get sick and can't eat, the problem can perpetuate itself. If this continues, don't hesitate to ask your OB about this option!

Good luck!

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions

Related Searches