travelling morning sickness

How to Survive flying with morning sickness

By: Author Wandermust Mummy

Are you considering flying with morning sickness? I suffered terrible morning sickness when I was pregnant with both of my children and had to fly several times when suffering. This guide is full of top tips for traveling with morning sickness learnt from my dozens of flights I took while pregnant. 

Important Note : This post may contain affiliate links which means if you click through and make a purchase I will make a small commission at no extra cost to you!

Also before we get into our tips on surviving flying while morning sickness it is worth pointing out that you should always consult with a doctor before flying with morning sickness. While the American Pregnancy Association and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists both agree that for most traveling in pregnancy is safe, it is worth consulting with your health care provider first especially when suffering from morning sickness. 

Flying with Morning sickness

Table of Contents

How to survive flying with morning sickness tips

As I mentioned when I was pregnant with both my children I suffered with severe morning sickness.  And unfortunately for me my sickness lasted throughout my entire pregnancy.

When I was pregnant travel was a huge part of my job, and I love a babymoon so traveled to both Oman and Italy for a babymoon.

Overall I ended up traveling to 10 countries while pregnant. So these really are tried and tested tips that I utilised on my many flights. 

I really hope these tips help you like they helped me! So without further ado here they are:

Flying with morning sickness – traveling with morning sickness

Pick the best time to travel

If you are not having to fly for business and have the option of selecting a time of travel i.e. for a babymoon , there are certainly better times to pick. For most people, morning sickness is at its worst during the first trimester. 

While during the third trimester many airlines will prohibit travel. For instance in many cases, in a single and healthy pregnancy, pregnant women can fly until 36 weeks of pregnancy. While in the case of multiples this is reduced to 32 weeks, according to the NHS website. After this time, the chances of labor are dramatically increased. 

Therefore if you are looking to fly while pregnant say for a babymoon for instance, we think it is a good idea to do so during the second trimester. At this point many but of course not all pregnant people will be over the worst of their morning sickness and you hopefully won’t be needing these tips as much. 

Pack Correctly for your flight

It is always important to pack correctly for travel, especially in your carry-on luggage. However it is especially important for pregnancy travel. 

Some of our pregnancy travel essentials were:

Documents 

It is always important to keep your important travel documents with you in your hand luggage and digitally in case of a los. 

Important documents for all pregnant travelers  include:

• health / travel  insurance – that covers the length and destination of travel and of course all pregnancy complications,
• European health insurance card – for relevant travel to Europe,
• Fit to Fly letter – almost all commercial airlines require a fit to fly letter from your healthcare provider. This usually states your due date, week of pregnancy as well as declaration on pregnancy complications and fitness to fly. For international travel the requirements usually stipulate that you can not fly after 36 weeks while American Airlines have restrictions relating to the length of domestic flight in relation to due dates. Therefore it is really important to know the restrictions before booking your travel and know the documentation you need to go alongside it. 

If you have prescribed or over the counter medicines. you are taking be sure to pack this in your hand luggage and keep on the plane. This is best practice whenever you fly but especially important for pregnant travellers. 

And remember if you are traveling with prescription medication you should always have the prescription with you .

Compression Socks 

DVTs are a risk of long haul flights and air travel generally, but a way of reducing the risk of DVT , along with other measures, is to wear compression stockings. These compression socks improve blood flow and circulation while you are sat in a confined position on a long haul flight. 

I never traveled without my compression socks when I was pregnant. 

Bring Food and Drink

When I was pregnant, there were definitely smells that triggered my morning sickness. Now you can’t control what everyone is eating and drinking around you but you can control what you have. I always brought plenty of water and also my own snacks with me so I could ensure I had something to eat during the flight. 

Some women report that  ginger ale can help alleviate the symptoms of morning sickness and motion sickness generally according to the Royal college of obstetricians . I never found this worked for me. However if this works for you I would definitely bring some with you. 

Note : I would always try a method like this before travel in case it has the adverse effect. 

I also always carried some mints with me when I was traveling, especially during the first trimester of pregnancy. There is no reason for this than, if I was sick I always liked to freshen my breath straight after by having a drink of water and a mint. 

Ziplock Bags 

Although airplanes provide sick bags in case of extreme turbulence, I always traveled with ziplock bags when I was pregnant. This was actually a tip from my flight attendant friend. Ziplock bags are actually easy to throw up into at your seat and then can be zipped shut, which will reduce the smell of vomit. 

I found this tip extremely useful so used this tip not only on long-haul flights but domestic flights and road trips too. 

I have, and when I was pregnant had long hair. One thing I always did for flights was to tie up my hair with hair ties. Without giving TMI it is useful to have something to pull your hair away from your face should you become sick in flight.

For a full babymoon packing list check out this post.

Fly Business or First if you can

Qatar Airways Business Class while pregnant

Ok, I know this is not realistically for everyone, especially if you are trying to do a babymoon on a budget for instance. However, I was lucky enough to travel business class when international travel was required for my work. 

It was certainly a more pleasant experience on a long flight than flying in economy when pregnant as you had more space and could even put your feet up or have a nap. 

Check out the seat configuration of the plane and choose your seat wisely. 

I believe that picking the perfect airline seat is one of my talents in life. And although picking a good seat is a good idea no matter when you are flying it is extremely important when flying pregnant. 

Personally I would never choose a window seat as my first choice seat for pregnancy travel. The reason is that it make it much harder to get to the bathroom if you need to use the toilet or are feeling sick. 

Instead I always recommend selecting an aisle seat instead for easy access to the toilet and aisle. 

Also think carefully about the part of the cabin you want to be in and want facilities you want to be away from (obviously this will look different on every plane). For instance I definitely did not want to be seated next to the toilets or even the galley when I was pregnant as I didn’t want to risk being near bad smells which could set my sickness off. 

And if for some reason you can’t get an aisle seat when checking in I recommend speaking to airport staff at check-in, cabin crew or fellow passengers and explain the situation to see if anyone is happy to help. Obviously this is not guaranteed but it is always worth asking. 

Stay Hydrated

traveling with morning sickness / morning sickness on a plane

All travellers should try and stay hydrated when they travel, but this is especially important during pregnancy. For this reason we recommend having a supply of water with you or a reusable water bottle. 

For more information on how to stay hydrated on planes check out this post. 

Try and Rest

It isn’t always easy on planes to get some rest however if you can it is a good idea to try and get some sleep. I never travel without my trusty travel pillow. 

But get up and move

Although rest is important for any pregnant woman, it is important on long flights to get up and move to help reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis. Many airlines will now provided recommend exercises in their in-flight magazines. 

So there you have it my top tips for surviving while flying with morning sickness.  I hope you have found these tips useful but if you have more questions be sure to pop them in the comments below and I will do my best to answer them. 

And while you are here why not look at our other pregnancy travel inspirations and guides: 

• Winter babymoon ideas
• Cruising While Pregnant
• Babymoon in Dubai Guide
• Zika Free Beach Destination
• Best US Babymoons
• Best UK Babymoons

And if you have any tips you have learnt while traveling with morning sickness we would love for you to share them in the comments below! 

How to survive flying with morning sickness

Monday 30th of July 2018

Im currently struggling with all day nausea. I am 8 weeks pregnant and due to fly on Tuesday, just a short flight to Spain. I am concerned though about feeling this way on the flight and dreading being stuffed on the over crowded shuttle bus. I’ve found your tips really helpful. While it’s comforting to know I am not alone, I was just wondering how you coped mentally with being so nauseous day in day out. I feel miserable and trapped in a never ending nightmare at the moment and feeling a bit of a failure already as many women just seem to say they were just the same and just dealt with it much better than me. Any advice? Xxx

Wandermust Mummy

Tuesday 31st of July 2018

Hi Kirsten, thanks for your message - sorry I only just saw this! It is so difficult when you think it will never end and facing days hugging a toilet bowl. I found that having little things to look forward to helps and know that this will be a distant memory once you are holding our precious bundle. And don’t feel like a failure it is proving that you are doing everything right! I once read that morning sickness was a sign of intelligent baby so cling to that :)! I would love to hear how you got on with your flight?

Monday 16th of April 2018

Omg. Thank you!!! I also fly regularly for work (twice a week) and have been doing so for over a year. Only the last couple of months have been complicated since I’ve been pregnant (now 23 weeks). I did not handle my nausea well on my flight this morning. I had a nose bleed last night, didn’t sleep at all and a 6am flight. All just a bad combination. I broke out in a sweat when I felt ill went to the back of the plane and was able to cool off with an ice pack, ginger ale and the overhead fan. It was my worst flight to date. The turbulence was just the icing on the cake. Anyways, I survived but stomach is still feeling queasy so I’m in my hotel instead of work. Will use these tips on my next flight. Thank you

Tuesday 17th of April 2018

I hope these tips help! I know exactly how you feel and remember this awful feeling well! Let us know how you get on with your next flight!

MELANIE EDJOURIAN

Sunday 5th of November 2017

To be honest I wouldn't fly when pregnant myself as I get severe sickness. Great tips though for those that just feel a bit nauseous.

Out Of Depth Dad

Saturday 4th of November 2017

Great post! I'm not a good flyer - at all! There are some really good tips on here that I'll certainly be trying out! Thanks for sharing!

Great tips here. I remember morning sickness well but I never travelled far because of it when I was pregnant.

Appointments at Mayo Clinic

• Motion sickness: First aid

Any type of transportation can cause motion sickness. It can strike suddenly, progressing from a feeling of uneasiness to a cold sweat, dizziness and vomiting. It usually quiets down as soon as the motion stops. The more you travel, the more easily you'll adjust to being in motion.

You might avoid motion sickness by planning ahead. When traveling, avoid sitting in the rear of the vehicle or in seats that face backward. Pick seats where you'll feel motion least:

• By ship, request a cabin in the front or middle of the ship near the water level.
• By plane, ask for a seat over the front edge of a wing. Once aboard, direct the air vent flow to your face.
• By train, take a forward-facing seat near the front and next to a window.
• By automobile, drive or sit in the front passenger's seat. Children should be in age-appropriate seats and restraints.

If you're susceptible to motion sickness:

• Focus on the horizon or on a distant, stationary object. Don't read or use electronic devices while traveling.
• Keep your head still, while resting against a seat back.
• Don't smoke and don't sit near smokers.
• Avoid strong odors, spicy and greasy foods, and alcohol.
• Take an antihistamine, which you can buy without a prescription. Medicines include dimenhydrinate (Dramamine, Driminate, others) and meclizine (Dramamine Less Drowsy, Travel-Ease, others). Dimenhydrinate is safe for children older than age 2. Take these medicines at least 30 to 60 minutes before you travel. Expect drowsiness as a side effect.
• Consider scopolamine, available in a prescription adhesive patch called Transderm Scop. Several hours before you plan to travel, apply the patch behind your ear for 72-hour protection. Talk to your health care provider before using the medicine if you have health problems such as glaucoma or urine retention.
• Try ginger. A ginger supplement combined with ginger snaps, ginger ale or candied ginger might help curb nausea.
• Eat lightly. Some people find that nibbling on plain crackers and sipping cold water or a carbonated drink without caffeine help.
• Ferri FF. Motion sickness. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2023. Elsevier; 2023. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Nov. 29, 2022.
• Bennett JE, et al. Protection of travelers. In: Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Elsevier; 2020. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Nov. 29, 2022.
• Priesol AJ. Motion sickness. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Nov. 29, 2022.
• Motion sickness. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/motion-sickness. Accessed Nov. 29, 2022.
• Kc Leung A, et al. Motion sickness: An overview. Drugs in Context. 2019; doi:10.7573/dic.2019-9-4.
• Dimenhydrinate oral. Facts & Comparisons eAnswers. https://fco.factsandcomparisons.com. Accessed Nov. 29, 2022.

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Motion Sickness

Motion sickness happens when the movement you see is different from what your inner ear senses. This can cause dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. You can get motion sick in a car, or on a train, airplane, boat, or amusement park ride. Motion sickness can make traveling unpleasant, but there are strategies to prevent and treat it.

Preventing motion sickness without medicine

Avoiding situations that cause motion sickness is the best way to prevent it, but that is not always possible when you are traveling. The following strategies can help you avoid or lessen motion sickness.

• Sit in the front of a car or bus.
• Choose a window seat on flights and trains.
• If possible, try lying down, shutting your eyes, sleeping, or looking at the horizon.
• Stay hydrated by drinking water. Limit alcoholic and caffeinated beverages.
• Eat small amounts of food frequently.
• Avoid smoking. Even stopping for a short period of time helps.
• Try and distract yourself with activities, such as listening to music.
• Use flavored lozenges, such as ginger candy.

Using medicines for motion sickness

Medicines can be used to prevent or treat motion sickness, although many of them cause drowsiness. Talk to a healthcare professional to decide if you should take medicines for motion sickness. Commonly used medicines are diphenhydramine (Benadryl), dimenhydrinate (Dramamine), and scopolamine.

Special Consideration for Children

Motion sickness is more common in children ages 2 to 12 years old.

Some medicines used to prevent or treat motion sickness are not recommended for children. Talk to your healthcare professional about medicines and correct dosing of medicines for motion sickness for children. Only give the recommended dosage.

Although motion sickness medicines can make people sleepy, it can have the opposite effect for some children, causing them to be very active. Ask your doctor if you should give your child a test dose before traveling.

More Information

Motion Sickness in CDC Yellow Book

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How to Avoid Motion Sickness on Airplanes

Where to sit, what to eat, and common mistakes to avoid.

For some, a flight is nothing more than being confined to one seat for an extended period of time. For others, that nightmare is only exemplified by the fact that they're bound to feel nauseous and — if the motion sickness gets the best of them — may even actually throw up when the turbulence gets bad enough.

Air sickness is a common plague for many travelers, but luckily there are some things you can do to better equip yourself against this annoying side effect.

The first thing in battling air sickness is knowing what it is. This issue occurs when your inner ear detects movement that your eyes aren't registering. This works in reverse, as well — if your eyes catch movement that your body doesn't detect, say when you're watching a particularly bumpy movie scene, you can become motion sick without even moving.

According to the University of Maryland Medical Center , this imbalance can cause a number of symptoms: cold sweats, pale skin, headaches, dizziness, nausea, increased salivation, fatigue, and vomiting. A 2015 study pulling data from genetics group 23andme in the Oxford Academic on Human Molecular Genetics shared that roughly one in three people suffer from car sickness, the causes of which are incredibly similar to air sickness.

It's also been found that motion sickness is aggravated by anxiety and stress, meaning it doesn't necessarily go away after your flight. But there are a few easy ways to avoid these side effects, or at least help kick them to the curb after they've already started.

Skip the Reading Session

While doctors recommend zoning in on a stable scene or horizon line when you're experiencing motion sickness, reading isn't going to improve your situation at all. What you're doing is adding even more movement that could further mess with your inner equilibrium.

Pick Your Airplane Seat Carefully

The seats closer to the front of the airplane and directly on the plane wings are a little more stable than others, cutting down on the movement of your body during the flights. Just like on a bus, the further back you go, the bumpier it is.

Watch What You Eat Before Your Flight

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association recommends eating a light meal the night before and day of flying. Avoid taking in a lot of calories, and skip salty foods. Salty foods only aggravate dehydration, which also happens on flights where the air is drier (pro tip: drink lots of water). Also skip any greasy foods that would regularly upset your stomach.

Use the Air Vents to Your Advantage

Direct airflow can make a world of difference when you're experiencing motion sickness symptoms in a confined space, such as an airplane seat. Look to the air vent above your seat to provide a bit of relief in times of nausea and distress.

Acupressure

Way back in 1995, there was a study published in the Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine journal sharing that performing acupressure on yourself can lessen your motion sickness. So, what is acupressure? The act of stimulating various pressure points on your body to better circulate the flow of energy throughout the body.

For motion sickness, try using your thumb to push into your wrist about two inches down from the crease of your wrist. Hold it down for a few minutes with varying pressures to find out what works best for you.

Give 'Verbal Placebos' a Try

A study in the Journal of Applied Psychology shared the effects of telling naval cadets in the Israel Defense Forces that they were unlikely to have seasickness and that if they did, it was unlikely to affect their work performance at all. At the end of the five-day experiment, there was less reported seasickness.

What you can do: Have someone close to you reassure you that you won't suffer from motion sickness and start training yourself to worry less about it. Pick a mantra, something like "I can control my motion sickness," to recite during particularly trying moments mid-flight.

Opt for Ginger Ale

Ginger is great for your digestive system. Once that beverage cart hits the cabin, ask for a can of ginger ale to sip. Avoid taking large gulps — you don't want any air bubbles to add to your stomach discomfort. Hard ginger candies can also do wonders for an upset stomach.

Pack Some Dramamine

If all else fails, they do make medication to help curb motion sickness. Be careful, though: Some of these medications can cause severe drowsiness. But hey, sleeping through your flight is a great alternative to spending it in the cramped airplane bathroom.

ANDREW BRAINARD, MD, MPH, AND CHIP GRESHAM, MD

Am Fam Physician. 2014;90(1):41-46

Patient information : See related handout on motion sickness , written by the authors of this article.

Author disclosure: No relevant financial affiliations.

Motion sickness is a common syndrome that occurs upon exposure to certain types of motion. It is thought to be caused by conflict between the vestibular, visual, and other proprioceptive systems. Although nausea is the hallmark symptom, it is often preceded by stomach awareness, malaise, drowsiness, and irritability. Early self-diagnosis should be emphasized, and patients should be counseled about behavioral and pharmacologic strategies to prevent motion sickness before traveling. Patients should learn to identify situations that will lead to motion sickness and minimize the amount of unpleasant motion they are exposed to by avoiding difficult conditions while traveling or by positioning themselves in the most stable part of the vehicle. Slow, intermittent exposure to the motion can reduce symptoms. Other behavioral strategies include watching the true visual horizon, steering the vehicle, tilting their head into turns, or lying down with their eyes closed. Patients should also attempt to reduce other sources of physical, mental, and emotional discomfort. Scopolamine is a first-line medication for prevention of motion sickness and should be administered transdermally several hours before the anticipated motion exposure. First-generation antihistamines, although sedating, are also effective. Nonsedating antihistamines, ondansetron, and ginger root are not effective in the prevention and treatment of motion sickness.

Motion sickness is a syndrome that occurs when a patient is exposed to certain types of motion and usually resolves soon after its cessation. It is a common response to motion stimuli during travel. Although nausea is a hallmark symptom, the syndrome includes symptoms ranging from vague malaise to completely incapacitating illness. These symptoms, which can affect the patient's recreation, employment, and personal safety, can occur within minutes of experiencing motion and can last for several hours after its cessation.

Nearly all persons will have symptoms in response to severe motion stimuli, and a history of motion sickness best predicts future symptoms. 1 Females, children two to 15 years of age, and persons with conditions associated with nausea (e.g., early pregnancy, migraines, vestibular syndromes) report increased susceptibility.

The pathogenesis of motion sickness is not clearly understood, but it is thought to be related to conflict between the vestibular, visual, and other proprioceptive systems. 2 Rotary, vertical, and low-frequency motions produce more symptoms than linear, horizontal, and high-frequency motions. 1

Clinical Presentation

Although nausea may be the first recognized symptom of motion sickness, it is almost always preceded by other subtle symptoms such as stomach awareness (i.e., a sensation of fullness in the epigastrium), malaise, drowsiness, and irritability. Failure to attribute early symptoms to motion sickness may lead to delays in diagnosis and treatment. Although mild symptoms are common, severely debilitating symptoms are rare 2 ( Table 1 1 , 2 ) .

Behavioral Interventions

Prevention of motion sickness is more effective than treating symptoms after they have occurred. Therefore, patients should learn to identify situations that may lead to motion sickness and be able to initiate behavioral strategies to prevent or minimize symptoms 1 , 2 ( Table 2 1 – 13 ) .

MINIMIZE VESTIBULAR MOTION

Patients should be advised to avoid traveling in difficult weather conditions. If they must travel, they should sit in the part of the vehicle with the least amount of rotational and vertical motion. 2 This is usually the lowest level in trains and buses, close to water level and in the center of boats, and over the wing on airplanes.

HABITUATE TO MOTION

With continuous exposure to motion, symptoms of motion sickness will usually subside in one to two days. Alternatively, slow, intermittent habituation to motion is an effective strategy to reduce symptoms. 1 For example, spending the first night aboard a boat in the marina, followed by a day acclimating in the harbor, is preferable to going straight into the open ocean.

SYNCHRONIZE THE VISUAL SYSTEM WITH THE MOTION

A small study found that focusing on the true horizon (skyline) minimized symptoms of motion sickness. 5 A survey of 3,256 bus passengers suggested that forward vision was helpful in reducing symptoms. 3 Another study indicated that forward vision in a car can reduce symptoms. 4

ACTIVELY SYNCHRONIZE THE BODY WITH THE MOTION

Actively steering the vehicle is an accepted strategy for reducing symptoms of motion sickness, although evidence is limited. 7 Additionally, a small study of automobile passengers found that actively tilting the head into turns was effective in preventing symptoms. 6 A survey of 260 cruise ship passengers supported the common advice to recline and passively stabilize themselves if they are unable to initiate active movements. 8

REDUCE OTHER SOURCES OF PHYSICAL, MENTAL, AND EMOTIONAL DISCOMFORT

Frequent consumption of light, soft, bland, low-fat, and low-acid food can minimize symptoms of motion sickness. 2 Treating gastritis is useful, 2 as is avoiding nausea-inducing stimuli (e.g., alcohol, noxious odors). Discussing symptoms with others can exacerbate the condition. Passengers should be well rested, well hydrated, well fed, and comfortable before beginning travel. Small studies have shown that cognitive behavior therapy, mindful breathing, and listening to music may also reduce symptoms of motion sickness. 9 , 10 , 13

Medications

Medications are most effective when taken prophylactically before traveling, or as soon as possible after the onset of symptoms 2 ( Table 3 1 , 2 , 14 – 23 ) . Medications are most effective when combined with behavioral strategies. To familiarize themselves with common side effects, patients should first take medications in a comfortable environment before using them for motion sickness during travel.

SCOPOLAMINE

Scopolamine, an anticholinergic, is a first-line option for preventing motion sickness in persons who wish to maintain wakefulness during travel. 2 , 20 , 24 A Cochrane review of 14 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) showed that scopolamine is effective for the prevention of motion sickness. 14 A more recent RCT of 76 naval crew members showed that transdermal scopolamine is more effective and has fewer side effects than the antihistamine cinnarizine (not available in the United States). 15 If the recommended dose of scopolamine does not adequately relieve symptoms, the dose may be doubled. Adding a second patch of transdermal scopolamine was well tolerated in a small RCT of 20 sailors. 25

ANTIHISTAMINES

First-generation antihistamines have been used to treat motion sickness since the 1940s. 1 They are generally recommended for patients who can tolerate their sedative effects. 2 , 20 Cyclizine (Marezine), dimenhydrinate, promethazine, and meclizine (Antivert) demonstrated effectiveness in small RCTs of varying quality. 16 – 19 Nonsedating antihistamines are not effective in preventing or treating motion sickness. 26

OTHER MEDICATIONS

Benzodiazepines are occasionally administered for severe symptoms of motion sickness and have been proven effective in a single small study. 27 The serotonin agonist rizatriptan (Maxalt) reduced motion sickness symptoms in a single RCT of 25 patients with recurrent migraines. 28 The serotonin antagonist ondansetron (Zofran) is ineffective for the prevention and treatment of motion sickness. 29 , 30

COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES

Although ginger root is often reported to prevent motion sickness, it had no statistically significant effects in an RCT of 80 naval cadets. 31 A single RCT of pregnant women showed that stimulation of the P6 acupressure point on the anterior wrist increased their tolerance of motion stimuli. 32 Controlled trials of behavioral, pharmacologic, or alternative therapies for motion sickness have demonstrated strong placebo effects. Therefore, treatments are likely to be most effective if the patient believes that they will work. 11 , 12

Data Sources : PubMed was searched using the MeSH headings motion sickness, ships, movement, space motion sickness, and travel. Additional searches were performed in Essential Evidence Plus, UpToDate, Medscape, and BMJ Clinical Evidence. Search dates: March 2012 through March 2014.

Golding JF. Motion sickness susceptibility. Auton Neurosci. 2006;129(1–2):67-76.

Shupak A, Gordon CR. Motion sickness: advances in pathogenesis, prediction, prevention, and treatment. Aviat Space Environ Med. 2006;77(12):1213-1223.

Turner M, Griffin MJ. Motion sickness in public road transport: the relative importance of motion, vision and individual differences. Br J Psychol. 1999;90(pt 4):519-530.

Griffin MJ, Newman MM. Visual field effects on motion sickness in cars. Aviat Space Environ Med. 2004;75(9):739-748.

Bos JE, MacKinnon SN, Patterson A. Motion sickness symptoms in a ship motion simulator: effects of inside, outside, and no view. Aviat Space Environ Med. 2005;76(12):1111-1118.

Wada T, Konno H, Fujisawa S, Doi S. Can passengers' active head tilt decrease the severity of carsickness? Effect of head tilt on severity of motion sickness in a lateral acceleration environment. Hum Factors. 2012;54(2):226-234.

Rolnick A, Lubow RE. Why is the driver rarely motion sick? The role of controllability in motion sickness. Ergonomics. 1991;34(7):867-879.

Gahlinger PM. Cabin location and the likelihood of motion sickness in cruise ship passengers. J Travel Med. 2000;7(3):120-124.

Dobie TG, May JG. The effectiveness of a motion sickness counselling programme. Br J Clin Psychol. 1995;34(pt 2):301-311.

Yen Pik Sang FD, Billar JP, Golding JF, Gresty MA. Behavioral methods of alleviating motion sickness: effectiveness of controlled breathing and a music audiotape. J Travel Med. 2003;10(2):108-111.

Horing B, Weimer K, Schrade D, et al. Reduction of motion sickness with an enhanced placebo instruction: an experimental study with healthy participants. Psychosom Med. 2013;75(5):497-504.

Eden D, Zuk Y. Seasickness as a self-fulfilling prophecy: raising self-efficacy to boost performance at sea. J Appl Psychol. 1995;80(5):628-635.

Denise P, Vouriot A, Normand H, Golding JF, Gresty MA. Effect of temporal relationship between respiration and body motion on motion sickness. Auton Neurosci. 2009;151(2):142-146.

Spinks A, Wasiak J. Scopolamine (hyoscine) for preventing and treating motion sickness. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2011;6:CD002851.

Gil A, Nachum Z, Tal D, Shupak A. A comparison of cinnarizine and transdermal scopolamine for the prevention of seasickness in naval crew: a double-blind, randomized, crossover study. Clin Neuropharmacol. 2012;35(1):37-39.

Estrada A, LeDuc PA, Curry IP, Phelps SE, Fuller DR. Airsickness prevention in helicopter passengers. Aviat Space Environ Med. 2007;78(4):408-413.

Brand JJ, Colquhoun WP, Gould AH, Perry WL. (—)-Hyoscine and cyclizine as motion sickness remedies. Br J Pharmacol Chemother. 1967;30(3):463-469.

Weinstein SE, Stern RM. Comparison of marezine and dramamine in preventing symptoms of motion sickness. Aviat Space Environ Med. 1997;68(10):890-894.

Paul MA, MacLellan M, Gray G. Motion-sickness medications for aircrew: impact on psychomotor performance. Aviat Space Environ Med. 2005;76(6):560-565.

Sherman CR. Motion sickness: review of causes and preventive strategies. J Travel Med. 2002;9(5):251-256.

Zajonc TP, Roland PS. Vertigo and motion sickness. Part II: pharmacologic treatment. Ear Nose Throat J. 2006;85(1):25-35.

Gordon CR, Shupak A. Prevention and treatment of motion sickness in children. CNS Drugs. 1999;12(5):369-381.

McDonald K, Trick L, Boyle J. Sedation and antihistamines: an update. Review of inter-drug differences using proportional impairment ratios. Hum Psychopharmacol. 2008;23(7):555-570.

Nachum Z, Shupak A, Gordon CR. Transdermal scopolamine for prevention of motion sickness: clinical pharmacokinetics and therapeutic applications. Clin Pharmacokinet. 2006;45(6):543-566.

Bar R, Gil A, Tal D. Safety of double-dose transdermal scopolamine. Pharmacotherapy. 2009;29(9):1082-1088.

Cheung BS, Heskin R, Hofer KD. Failure of cetirizine and fexofenadine to prevent motion sickness. Ann Pharmacother. 2003;37(2):173-177.

McClure JA, Lycett P, Baskerville JC. Diazepam as an anti-motion sickness drug. J Otolaryngol. 1982;11(4):253-259.

Furman JM, Marcus DA, Balaban CD. Rizatriptan reduces vestibular-induced motion sickness in migraineurs. J Headache Pain. 2011;12(1):81-88.

Muth ER, Elkins AN. High dose ondansetron for reducing motion sickness in highly susceptible subjects. Aviat Space Environ Med. 2007;78(7):686-692.

Hershkovitz D, Asna N, Shupak A, Kaminski G, Bar R, Tal D. Ondansetron for the prevention of seasickness in susceptible sailors: an evaluation at sea. Aviat Space Environ Med. 2009;80(7):643-646.

Grøntved A, Brask T, Kambskard J, Hentzer E. Ginger root against seasickness. A controlled trial on the open sea. Acta Otolaryngol. 1988;105(1–2):45-49.

Alkaissi A, Ledin T, Odkvist LM, Kalman S. P6 acupressure increases tolerance to nauseogenic motion stimulation in women at high risk for PONV. Can J Anaesth. 2005;52(7):703-709.

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6 ways to cope with motion sickness during your next trip

I've always loved flying, roller coasters and even reading in the car. But at the beginning of June, I developed terrible symptoms of motion sickness while trying to relax on a recreational boat. This was new for me, but I'm hardly alone. One in three people are considered highly susceptible to motion sickness, according to the National Institute of Health , which can be especially uncomfortable for travelers whether you're driving, cruising, flying or taking the train .

I've quickly learned the best ways — from TPG readers, medical professionals and personal experience — to mitigate the symptoms of motion sickness, so you can get back to enjoying the view.

New to The Points Guy? Sign up for our TPG daily newsletter for tips and tricks to make the most of your travel rewards.

What causes motion sickness?

Motion sickness is frequently marked by dizziness, nausea or lightheadedness, a result of your body's sensory organs sending mixed messages to your brain, according to Healthline Media , which is owned by TPG's parent company, Red Ventures .

Our sensory receptors include our eyes, inner ears, legs and feet and they work together to maintain our balance and sense of direction and movement. When these sensory receptors are disrupted from certain outside factors, like sitting backward while a train moves forward or feeling turbulence in a plane but not being able to see it, it causes the symptoms we know as motion sickness.

Motion sickness might also cause cold sweats, headaches, vomiting or a loss of balance.

Related: How to tell when you're too sick to fly

How can I prevent motion sickness?

Choose the right seat.

By choosing a specific seat, you might feel less movement, according to the Mayo Clinic . Pick a window seat over the wing and, once onboard, direct airflow to your face. Some TPG readers even said they even bring their own small electric fan to keep themselves cool. (Is there anything worse than being nauseous and hot? No.) The rush of air can be a huge relief to travelers with motion sickness.

On a boat or cruise ship, request a cabin in the middle of the vessel and one that is closer to the water level. Some readers said being outside on the deck and fixating on the horizon helps mitigate symptoms. I got the worst motion sickness on a small recreational boat, but once I moved to the middle and took deep breaths, it helped a lot.

Related: Will this new ship design make seasickness a thing of the past?

When it comes to traveling by train, sit by the window facing the direction the train is going. Sitting near the front of the train can help, too.

Automobiles can be tough unless you're driving or sitting in the front passenger seat. If you're feeling queasy in the backseat during a road trip, put down your electronic devices and close your book, as these can both exacerbate motion sickness. Some parents I spoke with said they simply have a plastic bag on hand when traveling with little ones who are prone to motion sickness.

Related: Two magic words that make family travel easier

Avoid certain foods

Some foods can make motion sickness worse. Spicy and greasy foods, for example, take longer to digest, so eat light snacks that won't sit too heavy in your stomach. If you're prone to motion sickness, pack snacks such as saltine crackers, cereal, bread and other grains, bananas and apples.

Related: TPG staff picks: Our favorite snacks to bring on board

It's also important to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Dr. Lindsay Slowiczek, Healthline's pharmacist and Drug Content Integrity Manager, says to avoid alcohol and drink coffee in moderation, as both might make dehydration (and, as a result, your symptoms) worse. There's a lot of debate about whether carbonated drinks, especially cola, help, but some say it actually makes symptoms worse. Slowiczek says that, theoretically, carbonated drinks can help release gasses building in your stomach, but there isn't much research on the topic. I've always found that ginger ale helps with nausea (especially on planes) but doesn't everything seem to taste better at 30,000 feet?

On that note, you might want to specifically seek out one ingredient: Ginger. You can also try ginger gum or ginger chews, as ginger has anti-nausea properties, according to Slowiczek. "It's better to start low with something like ginger," she said.

Take select medications

Slowiczek says if other techniques (like the ginger candies ), it might be time to take over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription drugs. Some OTC medications will stop symptoms from the onset, including those containing dimenhydrinate ( Dramamine ) and meclizine ( Bonine ). Some other antihistamines can work as well, like diphenhydramine ( Benadryl ).

"It's important to make sure that these are taken to prevent [motion sickness]," Slowiczek told TPG, so it's important to take them at least 30 minutes before you expect to be in a situation that might cause motion sickness. These are also safe for children and pregnant women. Always refer to a medical professional before dosing yourself or children to see which mediation might work best for you, especially if you're pregnant.

One downside is they make most people feel drowsy, so if you're operating a vehicle (or simply trying to enjoy the view), this is something to be aware of. These medications can also have a more intense effect on older travelers, so Slowiczek says you can even take half a dose if a full dose is too much.

Related: 10 lessons from 10 years of traveling with kids

Slowiczek says if OTC medications don't work, you can also get prescription drugs to treat motion sickness, such as a scopolamine patch, which is a prescription antihistamine medication.

How to treat motion sickness symptoms after they start

Listen to music.

Distracting yourself, or your queasy traveling companion, is a great way to combat motion sickness. Listening to music always calms and relaxes me, and when it comes to distraction, it can help take your attention away from annoying symptoms.

Related: American Airlines launches free inflight Apple Music streaming

Simply chatting with someone who has motion sickness can help take the attention off the nausea. And travelers with young children can play games to keep them occupied. Yes, this might be the ninth time you've played "I Spy" in an hour, but you'll thank us later when you aren't cleaning up after them.

Related: How to boost your immune system so you don't get sick while traveling

Wear pressure bands

Acupressure is a treatment that puts pressure on certain areas of the body to relax muscles and improve blood circulation. One of these acupressure points is the Nei-Kuan point on your wrist. There are wristbands you can wear, called Sea-Bands, that activate this pressure point with a little plastic disk, which is said to alleviate nausea. These are also safe for pregnant women and can help with morning sickness, too.

Slowiczek says this could be a placebo effect, but, "If it works, it works."

Related: What to expect when traveling in each trimester of pregnancy

My cousin (who has always struggled with motion sickness) uses pressure bands during travel and says they help. Many TPG readers also said this is one of the best ways to alleviate motion sickness; for some, it's the only preventative measure they take. One even called them a "game-changer."

There are also child-sized bands, so this is a great option for parents traveling with young children who might not be able to communicate their needs as well. They can also be worn before or during the onset of symptoms.

Related: TPG beginner's guide: everything you need to know about points, miles, airlines and credit cards

Try aromatherapy

I've completely bought into aromatherapy. I have a lavender vaporizer in my room, and it's the best Amazon purchase I've made to date. Though Slowiczek says there isn't much scientific evidence to prove the medicinal properties of aromatherapy, many travelers (including myself) find the essential oils soothing, calming and therapeutic. Just remember, essential oils should never be ingested — they are generally for topical use only.

Related: Travel accessories that will save you money

I have a miniature roll-on lavender essential oil stick, and I love it for travel. It's easy, TSA-compliant and, best of all, smells great and keeps me calm. Peppermint- and ginger-scented essential oils are known to help mitigate nausea, so you can try those, too. One reader puts peppermint oil on her temples and says it eases her symptoms.

Plane Insider: What should you do if you feel sick while flying?

May 27, 2018 • 3 min read

Pass the sick bag

Many travellers feel unwell in the air from time to time, but a bit of knowledge and preparation can help you to feel better – both in advance and if you start feeling ill.

First, off, though: I’m an aviation journalist, not a doctor, and this isn’t medical advice, so if you’re concerned at all please do seek the counsel of a qualified medical professional like a pharmacist, nurse or physician.

On the plane, if you’re queasy that airsickness bag is there for you, but a top tip is to have your eye on two of them rather than just one. That way you can seal one after use rather than having to use it a second time. Once used, hand it to a member of the crew, and for goodness’ sake, don’t just pop it in the seatback and forget about it. Yes, that does happen!

If you’re prone to feeling unwell when you’re in a car or boat, consider popping to see your doctor or a pharmacist in advance and picking up either an over­ the counter remedy or something stronger on prescription.

I know that some cruise lines that venture into choppier waters hand out candied ginger to passengers as a way both to ward off motion sickness in advance and to treat it when it’s underway.

Sometimes, turbulence can trigger motion sickness, so be aware if you’re travelling on a summer afternoon in particular that bumpy skies are a bit more prevalent during those periods. If you know you’re sensitive, a pre­emptive pill or a little bit of candied ginger, while you’re still on the ground and feeling well, is a smart life choice here!

If you start to feel unwell, one suggestion from Emirates is to “equalise your ear pressure. Changes in cabin pressure, especially during ascent and descent, can sometimes cause mild pain in the ears. Equalise by swallowing or sucking a sweet.” That’s one of the reasons why a few airlines still pass out a boiled sweet or hard candy just prior to descent.

The action of chewing can also help here, so a bit of gum or a chewy sweet can be very helpful. A bit of sugar can also help you settle that tummy and feel a bit better, so I tend to go for the chewy sweet option, whether minty or fruity in flavour — a tube of those fits neatly in the old carry­on bag. “ Babies and infants may suffer more acutely , so provide something for them to suck on – e.g. a pacifier/comforter/soother,” a spokesman for Emirates also suggests.

The cabin crew are here for your safety and wellbeing, so do feel free to approach them if you’re feeling peaky. They have a variety of over­the­counter headache pills, band­aids, and other things you might expect to find in a first aid kit.

And take heart if things get more serious: crew are trained extensively in the event of an emergency. “All Emirates aircraft carry extensive onboard medical kits including a selection of commonly used drugs, intravenous fluids, resuscitation equipment, first aid items,and even equipment to handle onboard deliveries of babies. They meet all the regulatory requirements for onboard medical kits,” says the Dubai ­based airline.

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How to Survive Flying with Morning Sickness

Morning sickness is one of the symptoms of pregnancy that involves nausea and vomiting. For many pregnant women, this is the toughest part of early pregnancy.  Although not all women experience this (I didn’t have any during my first pregnancy), it could be uncomfortable and inconvenient when traveling.

I had mild morning sickness during my second pregnancy, and it didn’t stop me from traveling the world with my family. We went to the Philippines , Singapore , Thailand , Jamaica, and Florida successfully! Until my 33rd week, I was traveling to the US from Qatar with my son.

Other pregnancy travel posts: – Things you need to consider before giving birth abroad – Reasons you should travel when pregnant

I could easily advise flying business class or first class. Though pleasurable, it is impractical and not all can afford it. I have come up with a few tips on how to deal with morning sickness while traveling. But take note: many women find morning sickness symptoms disappear after 12 to 14 weeks.

1. Remember your medicines.

Before your flight, I’m sure you consulted your doctor. Some airlines would ask anyway for a Doctor’s Certificate if you are fit to fly. If the doctor prescribed medicines or recommended some remedies, please bring them or don’t forget about them.   Flight attendants will never give you any medicine if they know you are pregnant .

2. Choose your seat wisely.

When you choose your seat online, they usually show the seating arrangement so you know which is aisle and window seat. Each of us has a preferred seat.

Seating on the aisle seat means it is easier for you to go to the lavatory. A window seat means leaning on the window and not be woken up by passengers if they need to go to the lavatory. Bulkhead seats mean able to stretch your legs.

Whichever seat you choose, just don’t sit at the back!  Lavatories and galley are usually located at the rear part of the aircraft . If it’s inevitable that you have to sit at the back, sniff some lemon slices (if available) or chew a spearmint gum. Remember, morning sickness is usually smell-associated . Again, choose your seat wisely.

3. Pack snacks.

Most airline carriers offer meals and/or snacks onboard for a fee or for free. Either way, you can always pack your own snacks or food you think might relieve your morning sickness. I know that eating is the last thing you want to do, but you need food in your stomach.

You can bring ginger candy, gingersnaps, or gingerbread. You can ask for green tea (or mint tea) if available, or  flat ginger ale. Try munching bland, carb-rich snacks like crackers, dry cereal, and pretzels. Fatty and spicy foods usually upset stomachs, but if you find that they work for you, eat them.

4. Must-have kit.

We want to always look and smell fresh. Stock your bag with a few morning sickness must-haves. Pack a clean blouse, tissue or wet wipes, toothbrush, toothpaste, and a bottle of mouthwash to help you freshen up. You can also bring some breath mints and a plastic bag for when you won’t make it to the lavatory. Airsickness bags are available in every seat pocket in front of you, or you can ask the flight attendant.

5. Drink lots of water. 

Pregnant or not, flying or not, we need to drink lots of water of at least eight glasses a day. They said the more dehydrated you become, the more nauseated you’ll become .

6. Distract yourself.

I know it’s not easy to ignore the feeling. However, find something or anything to take your mind off it. You can read a book, watch a movie, listen to music, do puzzles, or walk around the cabin . Just keep safe when walking around the cabin and be mindful of any food service the flight attendants are doing.

7. Communicate.

You may be self-sufficient and think you had everything under control. Still, it doesn’t hurt to be vocal about your feelings to the passengers around you and especially the flight attendant. They can always help you alleviate your misery in one way or another. On my flight, the purser or supervisor was kind enough to give me extra crackers and a bottle of water.

The sweetest escape from morning sickness is… Sleep! This is my favorite. Take a nap (if you can)! Your body needs it. Recline your seat, close your eyes (bring an eye mask to block out bright light), take deep breaths, and get some rest. If you are traveling with your kid(s) , travel with a family member or your husband so you can catch up on some rest.

I hope that if (and when) you decided to travel while suffering from morning sickness, these tips will help you. I wish you all the best.

Did you experience morning sickness inflight? How did you deal with it? What are your tips? Share with us your experience in the comments below.

Author’s Note: All content, including medical opinion and any other health-related information, is for informational purposes only and should not be considered to be a specific diagnosis or treatment plan for any individual situation. The use of this site and the information contained herein does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the direct advice of your own doctor in connection with any questions or issues you may have regarding your own health or the health of others.

Pin this post!

13 thoughts on “how to survive flying with morning sickness”.

Man, that must be tough. The suffering women go through to bear children is unbelievable.

Take a Nevasic app on your phone, been clinically trialled and proven successful for travel and pregnancy sickness. No drugs, nothing to swallow, no side effects yet proven by independent trial. Safe option first, effective option second – plus it will last a lifetime – not like a tablet – swallowed and gone.

I think some useful tips even if you aren’t pregnant actually!

Yes! yes! yes! 😉

Oof I’m not sure I would’ve survived a flight with morning sickness, but these are fantastic tips for mums-to-be. Packing snacks would’ve been the best one for me. Eating did seem to calm my morning (which was actually all day) sickness.

Yes! An all-day morning sickness will be tough. Glad you find the post useful 😉

Great tips!

Thank you. Appreciate it.

Great tips! I never really thought about the seating!

Thank you ☺️

Good tips! I hate flying without morning sickness lol. I will remember these for the future.

Thank you so much. Appreciate the kind words.

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Motion sickness

Motion sickness is feeling dizzy, or feeling or being sick when travelling by car, boat, plane or train. You can do things to prevent it or relieve the symptoms.

Check if you have motion sickness

Symptoms of motion sickness may include:

• feeling sick (nausea)
• feeling cold and going pale

How to ease motion sickness yourself

Do reduce motion – sit in the front of a car or in the middle of a boat look straight ahead at a fixed point, such as the horizon breathe fresh air if possible – for example, by opening a car window close your eyes and breathe slowly while focusing on your breathing distract children by talking, listening to music or singing songs break up long journeys to get some fresh air, drink water or take a walk try ginger, which you can take as a tablet, biscuit or tea don’t.

do not read, watch films or use electronic devices

do not look at moving objects, such as passing cars or rolling waves

do not eat heavy meals, spicy foods or drink alcohol shortly before or during travel

do not go on fairground rides if they make you feel unwell

A pharmacist can help with motion sickness

You can buy remedies from pharmacies to help prevent motion sickness, including:

• tablets – dissolvable tablets are available for children
• patches – can be used by adults and children over 10
• acupressure bands – these do not work for everyone

A pharmacist will be able to recommend the best treatment for you or your child.

Causes of motion sickness

Motion sickness is caused by repeated movements when travelling, like going over bumps in a car or moving up and down in a boat, plane or train.

The inner ear sends different signals to your brain from those your eyes are seeing. These confusing messages cause you to feel unwell.

Page last reviewed: 19 June 2023 Next review due: 19 June 2026

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How to manage motion sickness

Peer reviewed by Dr Krishna Vakharia, MRCGP Last updated by Amberley Davis Last updated 7 Feb 2023

Have you ever felt sick or dizzy in a moving vehicle? Perhaps you've also broken out in a cold sweat, felt weak, or developed a headache at the same time? Motion sickness may be common, but this doesn't mean you can't prevent or treat it.

In this article :

Why am i getting motion sickness, how to stop motion sickness, when to see a doctor for motion sickness, further reading.

Continue reading below

Motion sickness - also called travel sickness - can affect anyone, and most people have experienced it at some point in their lives. This is especially true during childhood. In fact, some studies suggest that more than 40% of children get motion sick in a car or on a bus 1 .

Why does this happen? It's all to do with the signals that are sent to your brain while you're in motion. The unusual movements you feel while travelling send lots of messages to the brain, including from mechanisms in your inner ear that send information about your position.

However, your eyes can contradict these messages if they're focused on objects that aren't moving, like the inside of a car. This results in a confusing mix of messages, and it's this confusion that causes motion sickness.

You might be particularly vulnerable to motion sickness. Scientists aren't clear why it can affect some more than others, but this doesn't mean that you can't prevent, ease, or eradicate this unpleasant and inconvenient sensation. The techniques below are usually highly effective and most are non-medical.

1. Eat light before your travel

If you know that you're heading on a car journey, catching the bus, boarding a plane or boat, or riding a fairground ride, be mindful of what you eat and when. Alcohol and heavy meals - especially fatty and spicy food - can upset your stomach, making motion sickness worse. Instead, opt for light meals at least an hour before travelling to give your food time to digest.

2. Plan where you sit

In a vehicle, where you position yourself matters. Always try and face forward and sit as far away as possible from the jittering movements and potent smells of an engine.

To keep motion to a minimum in a:

Car - sit in the front.

Bus - sit by a window.

Train - sit forward-facing by a window.

Boat - sit on the upper deck in the middle.

Plane - sit over the wing.

3. Break long car journeys up

If you're planning a long car journey, it's a good idea to take regular breaks. Getting out the car and taking a short walk in the fresh air gives your brain a break from the mixed signals its receiving about your movement and balance.

4. Put down that book or electronic screen

Focussing your eyes on something that isn't moving while other mechanisms are sensing that you're in motion is a big trigger for motion sickness. This is why many people find they can't read books or watch films for long before feeling sick. Avoid too much electronic screen time - even when you're not travelling, screen scrolling can trigger something similar to motion sickness called cybersickness 2 .

5. Find different stimulants in the vehicle

How else can you entertain yourself? Looking forward at a fixed point, like a horizon, may help prevent motion sickness, but if you need more mental stimulation, you could try listening to music, a podcast, or an audio book with your eyes closed. Not only will this avoid sending confusing signals from your eyes to your brain, but sounds may also distract your brain and reduce sensitivity to these signals.

6. Rest your eyes

If you find resting easy while on the move, keeping your eyes closed is one of the most effective ways to halt the symptoms of motion sickness. Sleeping is even better - alongside shutting off signals from your eyes to your brain, a sleeping brain may also be able to ignore some of the disruptive motion signals it's receiving.

7. Locate fixed points outside the vehicle

When looking out a window or on a boat deck, fix your gaze on something that isn't moving. Watching trees and other cars go by outside a window - or waves roll by on a boat deck - can make motion sickness worse. That isn't to say that you should avoid gazing out altogether - if you feel seasick inside a boat, stepping out onto the deck and finding a fixed point on the horizon can help rectify the mismatch of signals in your brain that tell you you're moving without a visual reference 3 .

Patient picks for Travel related problems

How do you prevent altitude sickness?

Motion sickness

8. breathe in fresh air.

When travelling by road, rail, or seadrink in fresh air as often as possible. Usually, this means sitting by an open window - but be careful to avoid strong petrol or diesel fumes.

9. Focus on your breathing

Some studies show that diaphragmic breathing - taking deep and slow breathes in and out - can help ease the unpleasant side effects of travelling 4 . It's a simple enough technique, but you can learn the most effective way to do it here .

10. Soothe an unsettled tummy

When it comes to treating motion sickness, what you feed your tummy matters. Taking small sips of cold water can help. Some natural food flavourings can also settle your stomach and relieve symptoms:

Ginger flavoured snacks or drinks - effective for all symptoms of motion sickness 5 .

Peppermint flavoured snacks or drinks - have a numbing and calming effect that helps ease nausea and headaches 6 .

11. Try over-the-counter medicines

If these natural techniques aren't enough, your local pharmacy will have motion sickness medicine. This ranges from homeopathic remedies, like acupressure wrist bands, to tablets and patches that usually contain the ingredients hyoscine and antihistamines . Hyoscine is considered the most effective medicine for motion sickness.

If you're getting medicine for your child, ask your pharmacist which brands are suitable for children, and about any side effects.

In nearly all cases, motion sickness naturally stops once your journey is over. You should visit your doctor if:

You're still experiencing symptoms long after the journey has ended.

You feel like you have motion sickness when you haven't been moving.

You're experiencing other symptoms like chest pain or hearing loss.

Your doctor can work out if your motion sickness is particularly severe and may be able to prescribe stronger medicines . They can also investigate if your symptoms are a sign of another health problem that needs addressing.

Henriques et al: Motion sickness prevalence in school children .

Iowa State University: Screentime can maje you feel sick – here are ways to manage cybersickness .

The Vision Therapy Center: The surprising reason why you suffer from motion sickness .

Stromberg et al: Diaphragmatic breathing and its effectiveness for the management of motion sickness .

Nunes et al: Clinical evaluation of the use of ginger extract in the preventive management of motion sickness .

Mohr et al: Peppermint essential oil for nausea and vomiting in hospitalized patients: incorporating holistic patient decision making into the research design .

Article History

The information on this page is written and peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.

7 Feb 2023 | Latest version

Last updated by

Peer reviewed by

7 Feb 2023 | Originally published

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15 Tips for Dealing With Morning Sickness

Wondering what helps with morning sickness? Check out these smart tips that'll help banish queasiness with minimal effort.

GETTY IMAGES

Pregnancy can be an amazing ride, but the morning sickness that often accompanies it isn't so great. Thankfully, there are ways to manage it. Remedies that can help with morning sickness include rest, identifying and avoiding triggers, hydration, and medication.

According to Marjorie Greenfield, MD, an OB-GYN and author of The Working Woman's Pregnancy Book , approximately 70% of people experience nausea early in pregnancy, and about 50% experience vomiting. "It's very, very common, but it's also incredibly varied," Dr. Greenfield says. "Lots of people are sick all day, some are sick mostly in the evening, and others are sick if they haven't gotten enough sleep."

So when do you get morning sickness ? According to Dr. Greenfield, pregnancy nausea can start as early as six weeks and tends to peak around the eighth and ninth weeks. If you're tired of feeling queasy, read on to learn 15 tips for how to stop morning sickness. (And take heart: Many people find pregnancy nausea tapers off or disappears after 12 to 14 weeks.)

Take a Break

If you have morning sickness, getting adequate rest is critical. Sometimes, just the thought of dragging yourself out of bed only compounds the nausea. Unfortunately, it's not always possible to take a sick day or give yourself a break, but if you can, do it.

Some employers require a doctor's note for a sick day, so make sure you call your health care provider before taking off so they can provide the appropriate documentation. Your body's working overtime on growing that baby—you deserve it.

Even better, Dr. Greenfield suggests scheduling a "vacation" during your seventh or eighth week of pregnancy, when morning sickness generally starts to peak. In either case, you won't have to divulge your pregnancy news to your co-workers before you're ready, and the time off will help you recoup physically and mentally.

Sniff a Fresh Scent

Certain scents will turn your tummy, whether it's the less-than-pleasant whiff of the garbage can or the smell of your co-worker's perfume in a crowded elevator. Conversely, other scents, like citrus and certain herbs, may help morning sickness.

"Morning sickness is often smell-associated," says Miriam Erick, M.S., R.D., a senior dietician and nutritionist at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston and author of Managing Morning Sickness: A Survival Guide for Pregnant Women . "Ugly smells, smells you can't get away from, and potent smells will make you nauseous," says Erick.

While there is no research-backed evidence of a heightened sense of smell during pregnancy, there are a lot of anecdotal reports. Some hypothesize that pregnancy hormones may play a role.

Try sniffing fresh scents when you can't open a window or walk away. Carry a bottle of lemon extract or a sprig of fresh rosemary in your bag, and stealthily sneak a sniff when needed. "I call it the scent between you and the rest of the world," says Erick.

Get Support

You may be all about self-sufficiency and powering through your pregnancy, but being vocal about what you're experiencing can help alleviate morning sickness misery.

For example, your partner might not know that their scented soap makes you queasy or that kissing you—post pizza dinner, without brushing their teeth first—gets your gag reflex going. So tell them, and let them know what little changes they can make to help you feel better.

Track Your Nausea

Paying attention to when your morning sickness occurs may help you identify a pattern, which in turn might point to a trigger you can then avoid to help avert the nausea.

For example, if you find yourself getting nauseated at the same time every evening, says Erick, it may be from the smells of your neighbors' cooking.

Queasy at 3 p.m.? A co-worker's afternoon popcorn habit could be the culprit. Once you've identified morning sickness triggers , you can take steps to avoid them or counteract them whenever possible.

Stay Hydrated

It sounds like a no-brainer, but staying hydrated can feel like a monumental effort when you have morning sickness. But it's essential to get enough liquids because the more dehydrated you become, the more nauseated you'll become, says Dr. Greenfield.

Try different ways of tricking your body into accepting fluids. For example, Erick has found that for some people, salty snacks like potato chips and cheese curls "settle their stomachs and trigger their thirst."

Others swear by popsicles, cold liquids, or piping hot beverages. "Temperature makes a difference," Erick says. "If a beverage is a tepid middle temperature, it sometimes makes people gag."

Find Foods That Work for You

Many people don't feel like eating when they feel nauseous. But, finding the foods that go down easiest (and stay down) can help morning sickness. Heidi Murkoff, co-author of What to Expect When You're Expecting , says that every person and queasy tummy is different. "What spells relief to one may spell P-U-K-E to another."

Though there's no hard-and-fast rule about the best foods for morning sickness , many people find it easier to keep certain items down. Bland, carb-rich snacks like crackers, dry cereal, and pretzels have seen many people through morning sickness, as have ice-cold treats like popsicles and watermelon straight from the refrigerator.

Fatty and spicy foods may upset your stomach, but if you find that they work for you, by all means, go ahead and eat them!

Eat Small Amounts Often

Many find that grazing all day helps with morning sickess. "I call it the Six Meal Solution," says Murkoff. "When your tummy is empty, the stomach acids have nothing to feast on but your stomach lining, compounding nausea.

On the other hand, eating too much can overtax the digestive system, also leading to quease. Keeping your tummy a little bit full all day and all night is the best defense against morning sickness."

Murkoff suggests keeping a snack stash (crackers, pretzels, dried fruit, nuts, or whatever you can keep down) nearby at all times. Nibbling a little before you get out of bed in the morning can stave off nausea, and a light bedtime snack will stabilize your blood sugar throughout the night.

Ginger has long been touted as a stomach soother, and studies have shown that it may help morning sickness . A 2014 meta-analysis found that using ginger for at least four days was associated with a five-fold likelihood of improvement in early pregnancy nausea and vomiting.

Try adding a thin slice of ginger to hot water or sipping flat ginger ale (the kind with real ginger). If that doesn't sound appetizing, try sipping on some ginger tea , sucking on a ginger lollipop or lozenge, or snacking on a handful of crystallized ginger candy, gingersnaps, or even gingerbread. Erick suggests microwaving ginger jam and pouring it over vanilla ice cream. Yum!

Adjust Your Screens

It may sound strange, but adjusting your screens so they're easier to see may help with morning sickness. That's because your device's bright screen and undetectable strobe effect may make you more nauseated.

To combat this effect, Erick suggests adjusting your screen to reduce eye strain. For example, make the font size bold and larger, and change the background to a soft pink or tan.

Erick also recommends taking short breaks from the computer, tablet, or phone by getting up to do something else or simply closing your eyes.

Distract Yourself

Morning sickness isn't easy to ignore, but finding something to take your mind off it may help. For example, read a book, do a Sudoku puzzle, or go for a short walk.

Some people even claim that exercise relieves their nausea , so feel free to exercise if it feels good to you. And of course, listen to your body—if you start feeling tired or queasy, it's time to stop.

Carry a Morning Sickness Survival Kit

No matter how many times it happens, puking in public isn't something you ever get used to. But, stocking your bag with some essentials may offer some reassurance that you're prepared.

Dr. Greenfield suggests packing a clean shirt and a toothbrush, toothpaste, or bottle of mouthwash to help you freshen up. Breath mints are a smart move, too.

It's also a good idea to carry a plastic (barf) bag for those dreaded can't-hold-it-until-I-reach-a-bathroom moments, plus a snack stash of crackers or pretzels that you can munch when your stomach starts to feel empty or upset.

Consider Taking Medication

If your morning sickness is severe and you're having difficulty keeping anything down, you may require medication. According to Robert Atlas, M.D., an OB-GYN and chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, a combination of vitamin B6 and the sleep aid Unisom (doxylamine succinate) has been proven to alleviate morning sickness symptoms for some.

If that doesn't work, a combination of stronger prescription medications, such as an acid reflux blocker and antiemetic, may also bring relief.

Of course, before taking any medication , check with a health care provider. For severe sickness (called hyperemesis gravidarum ), you may want to explore prescription medications like Compazine (prochlorperazine), meclizine, Zofran (ondansetron), Reglan (metoclopramide), and Phenergan (promethazine).

Once you get the go-ahead, don't worry about the meds harming your baby—the relief they provide will benefit you both. "It's important not to let morning sickness go too far in the interest of avoiding medication at all costs because the dehydration, calorie deprivation, and starvation state is really unhealthy for the baby," says Dr. Greenfield.

Be Open to the Unusual

Sometimes the weirdest remedies work, so pay attention to your body and follow the morning sickness relief tactics that make you feel better—no matter how strange they may seem.

For example, Betsy Stephens, a mom from West Orange, New Jersey, calls bubble gum-flavored Barbie toothpaste her morning sickness "saving grace."

"The taste of actual toothpaste put me over the edge first thing in the morning," Stephens says, "but Barbie made it possible for me to brush my teeth without yakking."

Monica Florville, a mom from Port-au-Prince, Haiti, says that Coca-Cola—cold or warm—was the only thing that got her through her nausea.

Wear an Acupressure Wristband

Remember those sea sickness wristbands you wore on that Caribbean cruise? Dig them out and strap them on because they may also help with morning sickness. Acupressure wristbands apply light pressure to a spot located inside the wrist believed to be related to nausea and vomiting—whether induced by motion or morning sickness. Who knows? It might just make you feel a bit better.

Though Dr. Atlas cautions that such holistic remedies have been tested with mixed results, some do find relief in them . Jennifer Rickert, a mom from Columbus, Nebraska, says acupressure bands helped relieve some of her all-day nausea, though "they made my wrist ache...so maybe it was just taking my mind off the nausea."

And on the upside, according to Dr. Atlas, acupressure and acupuncture don't pose any risk to your baby, so press and poke away.

Sometimes the best morning sickness solution is the simplest. Try lying down, closing your eyes, taking a few deep breaths, and just getting some rest. Many people attest that sleep is a great way to escape morning sickness—and your body needs it!

If you already have young children, if possible, bring in a babysitter (or a family member or friend), so you can catch up on some much-needed snoozing. Having trouble catching those z's? Try wearing a sleep mask or putting on a pair of dark sunglasses to block out bright light.

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How Many Weeks Does Morning Sickness Last?

• Does It Indicate Sex?
• Not Getting It
• Severe Morning Sickness

Eight out of 10 pregnant people experience morning sickness, which is nausea with or without vomiting during pregnancy. It typically occurs around week six and goes away after the first trimester (between weeks 14 and 16). However, severe forms of morning sickness can last longer.

Despite its name, morning sickness doesn’t always mean you’ll have nausea in the morning. Some people experience mild nausea in the morning, while others have bouts of sickness or nausea throughout the day.  

This article reviews whether morning sickness reveals anything about the baby’s sex, the timeline of morning sickness, what not getting morning sickness means, remedies for it, and the symptoms of severe morning sickness. 

Phynart Studio / Getty Images

Does Morning Sickness Mean You’ll Have a Boy, or Girl?

Some people believe that morning sickness means you are carrying a female rather than a male. About 80% of pregnant people experience morning sickness. This makes it unlikely that mild to moderate nausea or vomiting indicates the sex of the baby. 

However, a small group of studies shows that those with a severe form of morning sickness, hyperemesis gravidarum , are more likely to give birth to females. Researchers note, however, that more, extensive research and larger population studies are needed to verify or refute this claim.  

Hyperemesis Gravidarum

Hyperemesis gravidarum is a serious health condition that involves excessive nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. It can lead to significant weight loss, dehydration, and nutrient deficiencies.  

Timeline of Morning Sickness 

Some pregnant people experience morning sickness as early as the fourth weeks of pregnancy, but it typically starts around week six and peaks around week nine. Most morning sickness disappears between weeks 14 and 16 (after the first trimester). About 15% to 20% have morning sickness that lasts into the second trimester, and with 5%, it lasts until delivery.

Does Morning Sickness Only Occur in the Morning?

For many, morning sickness occurs in the afternoon or evening. One study reports that 80%–95% of pregnant people report nausea with or without vomiting in the afternoon or throughout the day.  

What Does Not Getting Morning Sickness Mean? 

Not experiencing morning sickness does not necessarily mean something is wrong with your pregnancy. Some people are less prone to the symptom and may experience other signs or symptoms, such as fatigue or breast tenderness, more intensely.

But if morning sickness suddenly goes away before the second trimester (after already having it) or if you suddenly stop having other pregnancy symptoms, it could mean something is out of the norm with the pregnancy, and you should notify your healthcare provider.

Causes of Morning Sickness

While the exact cause of morning sickness is unknown, many experts believe it is a sign that your body is adjusting to hormone shifts. Examples of hormone levels that could affect morning sickness are human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG, the hormone that pregnancy tests detect ), estrogen , progesterone, or thyroid hormones.  

Risk factors of morning sickness include:

• Having had morning sickness in the past
• Being prone to motion sickness
• Nausea and vomiting while taking estrogen (or birth control pills)
• A history of menstrual (period) migraines
• A family history (mother or sister) of morning sickness
• Previous gastrointestinal (GI) problems (e.g., ulcer, reflux, inflammation)
• Carrying multiples or a history of having multiples ( twins , triplets, etc.)

What Helps the Most With Morning Sickness? 

While some nausea and vomiting is unavoidable, here are a few tips and tricks to help ease morning sickness :

• Eat a cracker or two before getting out of bed. 
• Eat small, frequent meals throughout the day.
• Snack on light, easily digestible food such as crackers, fruits, or plain toast (hunger can trigger nausea). 
• Brush your teeth after eating.
• Avoid lying down or quickly changing positions after eating.
• Sniff a lemon, mint, or orange (or use a blend and simmer them on the stove).
• Stick to a bland diet and avoid spicy, greasy, or fatty foods. 
• Drink small sips of fluids often, particularly cold, clear, and carbonated or sour drinks (e.g., water, lemonade, ginger, seltzer water, coconut water). 
• Get plenty of rest (fatigue can make you nauseous).
• Avoid stress when possible.
• Try acupressure wristbands (available in pharmacies, and you can use them all day).
• Eat or drink ginger (ginger tea, candies, and cookies). 
• If your prenatal vitamin upsets your stomach, try cutting it in half and taking half at night and half in the morning. Take it with a bit of food or crackers, not on an empty stomach. A different brand may also help. 

Avoiding Triggers

It also helps to avoid triggers that make you nauseous. Keeping a food diary or a log of when nausea occurs may help you identify triggers such as:

• Odors (e.g., chemicals, coffee, perfumes or fragrances, coffee, smoke)
• Certain food flavors or textures
• Greasy or spicy foods
• Hot weather or humidity
• Flickering lights
• Skipping meals
• Not sleeping
• Excess exercise

The BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast)—or BRATT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast, and tea)—may help ease stomach upset. It is low in fat and easy to digest. But if these foods aren’t appealing, try others. The goal is to find something you can tolerate and keep down. Ideas include:

• Milk, ice cream (or other frozen desserts), cottage cheese, and yogurt 
• Nuts, seeds, almond butter, and peanut butter
• Protein powders and shakes
• Cheese and crackers
• Gelatin (Jell-O)
• Broth and toast

Really Bad Morning Sickness

While it may not feel like the most glamorous part of pregnancy, morning sickness is not harmful as long as it doesn’t affect your activities of daily living and you’re still able to keep fluids and food down.

However, 3% of pregnant people experience a rare and severe morning sickness called hyperemesis gravidarum.

Symptoms of hyperemesis gravidarum include:

• Extreme, persistent nausea and vomiting that goes beyond the first trimester or past week 16
• Unable to keep food and water down
• Abdominal or pelvic (between the hips) cramping
• Nausea and vomiting that affects your daily activities 
• Rapid weight loss 
• Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
• Severe fatigue or weakness
• Decreased urine output or dark-colored urine pee
• Fatigue and weakness
• A rapid heartbeat
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes) or confusion (in extreme cases)
• Emotional distress or depression due to the severity of nausea or vomiting

Talk to your healthcare provider immediately if you’re experiencing symptoms of hyperemesis gravidarum. Treatment may include hospitalization, intravenous fluids, or medications to stop the vomiting.

For most pregnant people, morning sickness is temporary as their body adjusts to the changes of pregnancy. It typically begins around week five or six and usually resolves during the second trimester, around weeks 14 through 16. In the meantime, there are a few things you can do to help ease symptoms, such as eating crackers before getting out of bed in the morning, eating light and bland food throughout the day, sipping cold drinks frequently, using acupressure wristbands, avoiding triggers, trying ginger, and more.

If your symptoms are severe enough to affect your daily living activities, this could indicate a severe form of morning sickness, hyperemesis gravidarum, a serious condition requiring medical attention. 

Dean E. Morning sickness . Nurs Stand . 2016;30(50):15. doi:10.7748/ns.30.50.15.s16

Smith JA, Fox KA, Clark SM. Patient education: Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (Beyond the Basics) . In: Lockwood CJ, Barss VA, eds. UpToDate . UpToDate;2023.

Gadsby R, Ivanova D, Trevelyan E, Hutton JL, Johnson S. Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy is not just ‘morning sickness’: Data from a prospective cohort study in the UK . British Journal of General Practice . 2020;70(697). doi:10.3399/bjgp20x710885

Liu C, Zhao G, Qiao D, Wang L, He Y, Zhao M, Fan Y, Jiang E. Emerging progress in nausea and vomiting of pregnancy and hyperemesis gravidarum: Challenges and opportunities . Frontiers in Medicine . 2020; 8 . doi:10.3389/fmed.2021.809270

Young NR, La Rosa M, Mehr SA, Krasnow MM. Does greater morning sickness predict carrying a girl? Analysis of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy from retrospective report . Arch Gynecol Obstet . 2021;303(5):1161-1166. doi: 10.1007/s00404-020-05839-1

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Morning sickness: Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy .

MedlinePlus. Morning sickness .

American Pregnancy Association. Hyperemesis gravidarum .

By Brandi Jones, MSN-ED RN-BC Jones is a registered nurse and freelance health writer with more than two decades of healthcare experience.

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Morning sickness? Prenatal check-ups? What to know about new rights for pregnant workers

FILE - The emblem of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is shown on a podium in Vail, Colo., Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016, in Denver. Pregnant workers have the right to a wide range of accommodations under new federal regulations for implementing the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. The regulations take an expansive view of conditions related to pregnancy, from fertility treatments to abortion and post-childbirth complications. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

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Pregnant employees have the right to a wide range of accommodations under new federal regulations for enforcing the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act that supporters say could change workplace culture for millions of people.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the agency in charge of enforcing the law, adopted an expansive view of conditions related to pregnancy and childbirth in its proposed regulations, including a controversial decision to include abortion, fertility treatment and birth control as medical issues requiring job protections.

The rules, which were adopted on a 3-2 vote along partisan lines, were published Monday and offer extensive guidelines for addressing more routine difficulties of pregnancy, such as morning sickness, back pain and needing to avoid heavy lifting. Labor advocates say the law will be especially transformative for pregnant women in low-wage jobs, who are often denied simple requests like more bathroom breaks.

Here’s what to know about the law and the EEOC regulations.

WHAT IS THE PREGNANT WORKERS FAIRNESS ACT?

Congress passed the law with bipartisan support in December 2022 following a decade-long campaign by women’s rights and labor advocates, who argued that the 1978 Pregnancy Discrimination Act did little to guarantee women would receive the accommodations they might need at work.

The law stated only that pregnant workers should be treated the same as other employees, not that they deserved special consideration. To get their requests met, many pregnant workers therefore needed to demonstrate they had physical limitations covered under the Americans With Disabilities Act, often creating insurmountable hurdles.

The new law treats pregnancy and related conditions as themselves deserving of “reasonable accommodations” and places the burden on employers to prove “undue hardships” for denying any requests.

The law applies to employers of at least 15 workers . The EEOC estimates it will cover roughly 1.5 million pregnant workers in any given year. The EEOC regulations published April 15 are set to go into effect in June.

WHAT ARE WORKERS ENTITLED TO?

The EEOC’s 400-page document encompasses a wide array of conditions and relevant advice for employers.

It states that workers are entitled to unpaid time off for situations such as prenatal appointments , fertility treatments, abortion, miscarriage, postpartum depression and mastitis, an infection that arises from breastfeeding. This includes workers who are not covered by federal family leave laws and those who have not been on the job long enough to accrue time off.

Workers can ask for flexible working arrangements to deal with morning sickness, such as a later start time, clearance to work from home or permission to carry snacks in workplaces where eating is typically prohibited. If they can’t sit or stand for extended periods due to sciatica, which is common in late pregnancy, they can request a schedule adjustment so their commutes happen during less crowded hours.

The regulations also allow workers to be exempted from tasks such as climbing ladders or heavy lifting. If those duties are essential to their jobs, they can still request a temporary dispensation, according to the EEOC.

Employers don’t have to accommodate workers exactly as requested but they must offer reasonable alternatives. They cannot deny a request without clearing a high bar to prove doing so would cause “undue hardships” for the organization’s finances or operations. They cannot force workers to take unpaid leave if a reasonable accommodation is available.

HOW SHOULD WORKERS REQUEST ACCOMMODATIONS?

The EEOC emphasizes that it “should not be complicated or difficult” for pregnant workers to request accommodations. Workers don’t have to make requests in writing, use specific words, cite any laws, or in most cases, provide documentation such as doctors’ notes. Employers must respond quickly and have a conversation about how to reasonably accommodate a worker’s needs.

Still, legal experts advise both workers and employers to document the process. A Better Balance, the non-profit that spearheaded the 10-year campaign for the law’s passage, advises workers to familiarize themselves with their legal rights and be as specific as possible about their limitations and the changes they they need.

Workers who believe a request was denied illegally can file a complaint with the EEOC . They have 180 days to do so, though the deadline can be extended in some states.

WHAT DO THE EEOC RULES SAY ABOUT ABORTION?

The EEOC included abortion among the conditions covered under the law. The rules state, however, that employers are not obligated to cover expenses related to the procedure or to offer health insurance that does.

The EEOC regulations argue that including abortion is consistent with the agency’s longstanding interpretation of other laws under Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, including the Pregnancy Discrimination Act.

But the decision drew condemnation from Republican lawmakers who had championed the law’s passage. The five-member EEOC’s two Republican members voted against the regulations.

In a statement explaining her dissent, Commissioner Andrea Lucas said the agency broadened the scope of the law “to reach virtually every condition, circumstance, or procedure that relates to any aspect of the female reproductive system” in ways that “cannot reasonably be reconciled with the text” of the law.

Melissa Losch, a labor and employment attorney at the New Orleans-based firm McGlinchey Stafford, said she expects the regulations to give rise to further litigation. Losch cited the example of a worker living in a state with a restrictive abortion law requesting time off to undergo the procedure in another state. The EEOC rules provide “no good answer” about whether granting such a request would conflict with restrictive state abortion laws, she added.

ARE WORKERS IN TEXAS COVERED?

On February 27, a federal judge blocked enforcement of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act for Texas state employees, a ruling that came in response to a lawsuit filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Paxton argued the law was unconstitutional because it was part of a spending bill that passed in the House without a majority of members present, and the judge ruled in his favor.

Gedmark, of A Better Balance, said she was optimistic the Biden administration would prevail in its expected appeal of the ruling. In the meantime, federal and private sectors workers in Texas are covered by the law.

But in her dissenting statement, Lucas warned that if the Texas case or any future lawsuits succeed in overturning the law, the EEOC’s divisive rules have “all but extinguished” the chances of a bipartisan effort to reenact it.

WHAT HAS THE LAW’S IMPACT BEEN SO FAR?

Employers have been obligated to abide by the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act since it took effect on June 27, 2023, though the EEOC regulations provided guidance on how to do so.

The law swiftly made a difference to many low-wage workers, according to Gedmark.

A Better Balance, which operates a helpline, has “heard an overwhelmingly positive experience from workers,” she said. Last summer, the organization worked with some women whose employers stopped resisting requests for accommodations as soon as the law took effect, Gedmark said.

Some workers reported their employers were still operating under the old legal framework, handing them pages of disability paperwork to fill out in response to requests.

The EEOC said it received almost 200 complaints alleging violations of the law by the time the fiscal year ended on Sept. 30, 2023.

Gedmark said the success of the law will depend on enforcement and raising awareness.

“If workers don’t know about the law and don’t know about their rights, then it really undermines the purpose of the law,” she said.

The Associated Press’ women in the workforce and state government coverage receives financial support from Pivotal Ventures. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

Morning sickness? Prenatal check-ups? What to know about new rights for pregnant workers

Pregnant employees have the right to a wide range of accommodations under new federal regulations for enforcing the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act that supporters say could change workplace culture for millions of people.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the agency in charge of enforcing the law, adopted an expansive view of conditions related to pregnancy and childbirth in its proposed regulations, including a controversial decision to include abortion , fertility treatment and birth control as medical issues requiring job protections.

The rules, which were adopted on a 3-2 vote along partisan lines, were published Monday and offer extensive guidelines for addressing more routine difficulties of pregnancy, such as morning sickness, back pain and needing to avoid heavy lifting. Labor advocates say the law will be especially transformative for pregnant women in low-wage jobs, who are often denied simple requests like more bathroom breaks.

Here’s what to know about the law and the EEOC regulations.

WHAT IS THE PREGNANT WORKERS FAIRNESS ACT?

Congress passed the law with bipartisan support in December 2022 following a decade-long campaign by women’s rights and labor advocates, who argued that the 1978 Pregnancy Discrimination Act did little to guarantee women would receive the accommodations they might need at work.

The law stated only that pregnant workers should be treated the same as other employees, not that they deserved special consideration. To get their requests met, many pregnant workers therefore needed to demonstrate they had physical limitations covered under the Americans With Disabilities Act, often creating insurmountable hurdles.

The new law treats pregnancy and related conditions as themselves deserving of “reasonable accommodations” and places the burden on employers to prove “undue hardships” for denying any requests.

The law applies to employers of at least 15 workers . The EEOC estimates it will cover roughly 1.5 million pregnant workers in any given year. The EEOC regulations published April 15 are set to go into effect in June.

WHAT ARE WORKERS ENTITLED TO?

The EEOC’s 400-page document encompasses a wide array of conditions and relevant advice for employers.

It states that workers are entitled to unpaid time off for situations such as prenatal appointments , fertility treatments, abortion, miscarriage, postpartum depression and mastitis, an infection that arises from breastfeeding. This includes workers who are not covered by federal family leave laws and those who have not been on the job long enough to accrue time off.

Workers can ask for flexible working arrangements to deal with morning sickness, such as a later start time, clearance to work from home or permission to carry snacks in workplaces where eating is typically prohibited. If they can’t sit or stand for extended periods due to sciatica, which is common in late pregnancy, they can request a schedule adjustment so their commutes happen during less crowded hours.

The regulations also allow workers to be exempted from tasks such as climbing ladders or heavy lifting. If those duties are essential to their jobs, they can still request a temporary dispensation, according to the EEOC.

Employers don’t have to accommodate workers exactly as requested but they must offer reasonable alternatives. They cannot deny a request without clearing a high bar to prove doing so would cause “undue hardships” for the organization’s finances or operations. They cannot force workers to take unpaid leave if a reasonable accommodation is available.

HOW SHOULD WORKERS REQUEST ACCOMMODATIONS?

The EEOC emphasizes that it “should not be complicated or difficult” for pregnant workers to request accommodations. Workers don’t have to make requests in writing, use specific words, cite any laws, or in most cases, provide documentation such as doctors’ notes. Employers must respond quickly and have a conversation about how to reasonably accommodate a worker’s needs.

Still, legal experts advise both workers and employers to document the process. A Better Balance, the non-profit that spearheaded the 10-year campaign for the law’s passage, advises workers to familiarize themselves with their legal rights and be as specific as possible about their limitations and the changes they they need.

Workers who believe a request was denied illegally can file a complaint with the EEOC . They have 180 days to do so, though the deadline can be extended in some states.

WHAT DO THE EEOC RULES SAY ABOUT ABORTION?

The EEOC included abortion among the conditions covered under the law. The rules state, however, that employers are not obligated to cover expenses related to the procedure or to offer health insurance that does.

The EEOC regulations argue that including abortion is consistent with the agency’s longstanding interpretation of other laws under Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, including the Pregnancy Discrimination Act.

But the decision drew condemnation from Republican lawmakers who had championed the law’s passage. The five-member EEOC’s two Republican members voted against the regulations.

In a statement explaining her dissent, Commissioner Andrea Lucas said the agency broadened the scope of the law “to reach virtually every condition, circumstance, or procedure that relates to any aspect of the female reproductive system” in ways that “cannot reasonably be reconciled with the text” of the law.

Melissa Losch, a labor and employment attorney at the New Orleans-based firm McGlinchey Stafford, said she expects the regulations to give rise to further litigation. Losch cited the example of a worker living in a state with a restrictive abortion law requesting time off to undergo the procedure in another state. The EEOC rules provide “no good answer” about whether granting such a request would conflict with restrictive state abortion laws, she added.

ARE WORKERS IN TEXAS COVERED?

On February 27, a federal judge blocked enforcement of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act for Texas state employees, a ruling that came in response to a lawsuit filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Paxton argued the law was unconstitutional because it was part of a spending bill that passed in the House without a majority of members present, and the judge ruled in his favor.

Gedmark, of A Better Balance, said she was optimistic the Biden administration would prevail in its expected appeal of the ruling. In the meantime, federal and private sectors workers in Texas are covered by the law.

But in her dissenting statement, Lucas warned that if the Texas case or any future lawsuits succeed in overturning the law, the EEOC’s divisive rules have “all but extinguished” the chances of a bipartisan effort to reenact it.

WHAT HAS THE LAW'S IMPACT BEEN SO FAR?

Employers have been obligated to abide by the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act since it took effect on June 27, 2023, though the EEOC regulations provided guidance on how to do so.

The law swiftly made a difference to many low-wage workers, according to Gedmark.

A Better Balance, which operates a helpline, has “heard an overwhelmingly positive experience from workers,” she said. Last summer, the organization worked with some women whose employers stopped resisting requests for accommodations as soon as the law took effect, Gedmark said.

Some workers reported their employers were still operating under the old legal framework, handing them pages of disability paperwork to fill out in response to requests.

The EEOC said it received almost 200 complaints alleging violations of the law by the time the fiscal year ended on Sept. 30, 2023.

Gedmark said the success of the law will depend on enforcement and raising awareness.

“If workers don’t know about the law and don’t know about their rights, then it really undermines the purpose of the law,” she said.

The Associated Press’ women in the workforce and state government coverage receives financial support from Pivotal Ventures. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

Tips to travel Iceland on a budget, plus travel expert-approved gear

Where to get local deals, take a dip in a hot spring and more.

Need some summer vacation ideas that won't break the bank? "Good Morning America" is off to Iceland and packing expert tips to help create the perfect travel bucket list on a budget.

From free dips in hot springs to the stunning Seljalandsfoss waterfall, ABC News' Ashan Singh explored the Nordic island nation and shared the top ways to enjoy every stop of the trip without overspending.

"Iceland is a tremendous deal from the Boston area in particular -- flights are only about five hours in each direction -- you could take just a long weekend there and still get an action-packed trip," Eric Rosen director of travel content for The Points Guy, told "GMA."

TPG has seen deals for as low as $400 and for travelers who don't care where they're seated on the plane, some fares drop as low as $230.

When it comes to hotels, Rosen offered another simple tip, spend now on credit cards from brands like Hilton or Marriott that, once the spending threshold is reached, offer large bonus points.

"Hilton cards for instance, offer anywhere from 130 to 180,000 points typically as part of their bonus," he said. "And that's going to be good enough for two maybe even three nights at some of these hotels in Reykjavik. And that could be your whole trip right there."

Iceland activities on a budget

Get a taste of the city's culture with the Reykjavík City Card, which gives visitors access to multiple museums, art galleries, pools and even bus transportation for free.

Enjoy going home with a fashionable souvenir? Local knits are quintessentially Iceland, but with handmade sweaters priced up to $500, Singh sought out second hand store, Extraloppan to score a sweater as low as $50.

Rent a car. Singh found deals for as low as $86 a day.

Save on a more extravagant meal by finding a deal through the Dineout Iceland app, which for a small fee offers discounts all over the land of fire and ice.

Looking for a cheap and quick local bite? Try a roadside hot dog for just $4.

Visit the free National Parks and take in sights like waterfalls and geysers, but Singh suggests skipping the Blue Lagoon, which can cost $350 for a family of four, instead opt for taking a dip in a local, free hot spring.

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REI Co-op Trailmade Pants - Men's

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Men's Trail Model 4 Hiking Shoes

Women's Trail Model 4 Hiking Shoes

Michael Josh Large Outdoor Picnic Blanket

CeraVe Hydrating Face Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 for All Skin Types, 2.5 fl oz

Aveeno Baby Sensitive Skin Face & Body Gel Cream for Kids with Prebiotic Oat, Clinically Proven 24 Hour Hydration for Soft Skin, Quick Drying and Lightweight, Hypoallergenic, 8 oz

Trailmade Rain Jacket - Men's

Trailmade Rain Jacket - Women's

EPICKA Universal Travel Adapter One International Wall Charger AC Plug Adaptor with 5.6A Smart Power and 3.0A USB Type-C for USA EU UK AUS (TA-105, Grey)

Action Camera 4K 20MP Sport Camera 40M Waterproof Underwater Camera Volg Video Camera WIFI Wide Angle Helmet Camera EIS Stabilization Dual Microphone

Anker Nano Power Bank with Built-in Foldable USB-C Connector

4Monster Camping Towels Super Absorbent

Vapur Flexible, Collapsible Wide Mouth Anti-Bottle with Detachable Carabiner

KNIT CUFFED BEANIE

THE NORTH FACE Apex Insulated Etip Glove - Men's

• $39.18 to $41.51

Indoor Instant Privacy Bed Tent for Sleeping,Quick Set-up Bed Canopies,Portable Bed Drapes with Large Space and 3 Doors (Black, Twin)

Manta Sleep Mask - 100% Light Blocking Eye Mask, Zero Eye Pressure, Comfortable & Adjustable Sleeping Mask for Women Men, Perfect Blindfold for Sleep/Travel/Nap/Shift Work

[Weighted Sleep Mask

Lonely Planet Iceland (Travel Guide)

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24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events

Tips to travel Iceland on a budget, plus travel expert-approved gear

Need some summer vacation ideas that won't break the bank? "Good Morning America" is off to Iceland and packing expert tips to help create the perfect travel bucket list on a budget.

From free dips in hot springs to the stunning Seljalandsfoss waterfall, ABC News' Ashan Singh explored the Nordic island nation and shared the top ways to enjoy every stop of the trip without overspending.

"Iceland is a tremendous deal from the Boston area in particular -- flights are only about five hours in each direction -- you could take just a long weekend there and still get an action-packed trip," Eric Rosen director of travel content for The Points Guy, told "GMA."

TPG has seen deals for as low as $400 and for travelers who don't care where they're seated on the plane, some fares drop as low as $230.

When it comes to hotels, Rosen offered another simple tip, spend now on credit cards from brands like Hilton or Marriott that, once the spending threshold is reached, offer large bonus points.

"Hilton cards for instance, offer anywhere from 130 to 180,000 points typically as part of their bonus," he said. "And that's going to be good enough for two maybe even three nights at some of these hotels in Reykjavik. And that could be your whole trip right there."

Iceland activities on a budget

Get a taste of the city's culture with the Reykjavík City Card, which gives visitors access to multiple museums, art galleries, pools and even bus transportation for free.

Enjoy going home with a fashionable souvenir? Local knits are quintessentially Iceland, but with handmade sweaters priced up to $500, Singh sought out second hand store, Extraloppan to score a sweater as low as $50.

Rent a car. Singh found deals for as low as $86 a day.

Save on a more extravagant meal by finding a deal through the Dineout Iceland app, which for a small fee offers discounts all over the land of fire and ice.

Looking for a cheap and quick local bite? Try a roadside hot dog for just $4.

Visit the free National Parks and take in sights like waterfalls and geysers, but Singh suggests skipping the Blue Lagoon, which can cost $350 for a family of four, instead opt for taking a dip in a local, free hot spring.

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REI Co-op Trailmade Pants - Men's

REI Co-op Trailmade Pants - Women's

Men's Trail Model 4 Hiking Shoes

Women's Trail Model 4 Hiking Shoes

Michael Josh Large Outdoor Picnic Blanket

CeraVe Hydrating Face Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 for All Skin Types, 2.5 fl oz

Aveeno Baby Sensitive Skin Face & Body Gel Cream for Kids with Prebiotic Oat, Clinically Proven 24 Hour Hydration for Soft Skin, Quick Drying and Lightweight, Hypoallergenic, 8 oz

Trailmade Rain Jacket - Men's

Trailmade Rain Jacket - Women's

EPICKA Universal Travel Adapter One International Wall Charger AC Plug Adaptor with 5.6A Smart Power and 3.0A USB Type-C for USA EU UK AUS (TA-105, Grey)

Action Camera 4K 20MP Sport Camera 40M Waterproof Underwater Camera Volg Video Camera WIFI Wide Angle Helmet Camera EIS Stabilization Dual Microphone

Anker Nano Power Bank with Built-in Foldable USB-C Connector

4Monster Camping Towels Super Absorbent

Vapur Flexible, Collapsible Wide Mouth Anti-Bottle with Detachable Carabiner

KNIT CUFFED BEANIE

THE NORTH FACE Apex Insulated Etip Glove - Men's

• $39.18 to $41.51

Indoor Instant Privacy Bed Tent for Sleeping,Quick Set-up Bed Canopies,Portable Bed Drapes with Large Space and 3 Doors (Black, Twin)

Manta Sleep Mask - 100% Light Blocking Eye Mask, Zero Eye Pressure, Comfortable & Adjustable Sleeping Mask for Women Men, Perfect Blindfold for Sleep/Travel/Nap/Shift Work

[Weighted Sleep Mask

Lonely Planet Iceland (Travel Guide)

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In Florida, pregnant people have 6 weeks to make life-changing decision. Why deadline matters

Study says 1 in 3 pregnant women won't find out until after six weeks, and 1 in 5 won't know until after seven weeks..

As of Wednesday, May 1, nearly all abortions are illegal in Florida after six weeks . The closest options now for people needing or wanting one are North Carolina, where the limit is 12 weeks, or Virginia or Illinois where there are no laws prohibiting abortion.

But will you know in time? One in three pregnant people won't find out they're pregnant until after six weeks, and one in five won't know until after seven weeks, according to a 2021 study from ANSIRH  (Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health) at the University of California San Francisco.

"Later confirmation of pregnancy is even higher among young people, people of color, and those living with food insecurity," the study said. Almost two in three teens between ages 15 and 19 who become pregnant don't find out until six weeks or later.

Florida also requires a 24-hour waiting period, so you'll need two appointments at the state's overcrowded clinics before the deadline. With the new 6-week ban it becomes much more important for people capable of getting pregnant to monitor their own bodies.

How soon can you tell if you're pregnant after sex? How early will a pregnancy test read positive?

According to a clevelandclinic.org post in 2022, "In many cases, you might get a positive result from an at-home test as early as 10 days after conception."

But for a more accurate result, wait until a missed period to take a test. The site warns that "if you take a test too soon, it could be negative even if you're pregnant."

Why is knowing if you're pregnant before six weeks important?

If you've been hoping for a pregnancy, you can't start too early to get ready. You'll need to see your healthcare provider for tests, find out if any of your medications might need to be put on hold, cut out alcohol, caffeine and other substances, start taking prenatal vitamins, figure out your work situation and take other steps to ensure a healthy childbirth.

But if the pregnancy is unwanted or there are medical issues, you now have a very limited time in Florida to get an abortion or to make plans to travel to a state with less restrictive reproductive laws.

About 45% of abortions across the country occur before the sixth week of pregnancy, according to the health news site KFF .

Why don't people know when they're pregnant? Isn't it obvious?

The symptoms can be difficult to spot, especially if you're not trying to get pregnant and paying more attention than usual, and not everyone experiences the same symptoms. Some of the most common reasons to miss it, according to WebMD and the ANSIRH study , include:

• Pregnancy symptoms can resemble symptoms of approaching menstruation
• Faith in birth control
• Cost of home pregnancy tests or difficulty getting to the store, especially for adolescents
• Reliance on clinic-based tests
• Unfamiliarity with symptoms, especially people who have never been pregnant before

"People who took an at-home pregnancy test confirmed their pregnancy about one week earlier than those who tested at a clinic," the ANSIRH study concluded.

What are the early signs and symptoms of pregnancy? How soon can you tell if you're pregnant?

Again, everyone is different and there is no reliable way to tell without testing. "Not everyone has the same symptoms or even the same symptoms from one pregnancy to the next," WebMD says, and some of the symptoms can be caused by other things besides pregnancy.

Including missed periods. While that's the most common indication and the reason most people get tested, skipped or late periods can also be due to significant weight changes, hormonal issues, fatigue, stress, or changes in birth control. And bleeding is possible during pregnancy.

Common symptoms to watch for include:

• Missed period
• Peeing a lot
• Nausea or "morning sickness"
• Breasts becoming swollen, sore, heavier or tender to the touch

Other symptoms can include:

• Spotting and cramping
• Food cravings or aversions
• Headaches, back pain and/or dizziness
• White milky vaginal discharges
• Mood swings
• Constipation
• Nasal congestion
• Acne or skin changes

You could have some of these symptoms, all of them or just one or two, and in varying degrees. "Some people feel pregnant within a few days of conception, while other people don’t feel pregnant for weeks after a positive pregnancy test," the Cleveland Clinic said.

Do dogs know when you're pregnant? The unique phenomenon explained by a veterinarian.

How do at-home pregnancy tests work? Are home pregnancy tests accurate?

Pregnancy tests detect the presence of a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin, or hCG, which enters your bloodstream and urine after a fertilized egg attaches to the uterine lining (implantation) and the placenta starts to form. 

When you bring your pregnancy test home from the drugstore and pee on it or dip it in urine, you'll generally get a control indicator — a line or a symbol — that appears to show it's working, and then another symbol to tell you if you're pregnant.

The Food and Drug Administration  regulates home pregnancy tests so if it's sold legally in the U.S., it's reliable, even if you bought it at a dollar store .

Home pregnancy tests advertise 99% accuracy but that can depend on when you take them, according to the Mayo Clinic . Levels of hCG rise drastically after implantation. If you take a test soon after a missed period and it tests negative but you're still experiencing symptoms, wait a few days to a week and try again or ask your health care provider.

Waiting for the line: How accurate are home pregnancy tests and how soon can you take them?

How do I tell when my due date is? Is there a due date calculator?

A typical pregnancy lasts about 280 days or 40 weeks, counting from the first day of the last normal menstrual period, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine , but it can range from 37 weeks to nearly 41.

You can find lots of due date calculators online, including these at the Mayo Clinic and WebMD ,

But keep in mind, any due date is an estimation based on a 28-day menstrual cycle and you may need to adjust it if your cycle runs longer or shorter. Your healthcare provider will likely order an ultrasound to get a more accurate idea. Only about 5% of all babies are born on their estimated due date according to WebMD .

National News | Biden to travel to North Carolina to meet with…

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National News

National news | biden to travel to north carolina to meet with families of officers killed in deadly shooting.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings wipes away tears as he speaks at a press conference in Charlotte, N.C., Tuesday, April 30, 2024, regarding the shooting that killed four officers during an attempt to serve a warrant on April 29. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

Debris surrounds a home, Tuesday, April 30, 2024, where a shootout between a suspect and officers occurred on Monday, in Charlotte, N.C. Police say a shootout that killed four law enforcement officers and wounded four others began as officers approached the home to serve a warrant for a felon wanted for possessing a firearm. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

Debris covers the lawn of a home from Monday’s standoff with police in Charlotte, N.C. on Tuesday, April 30, 2024. Police in North Carolina say a shootout that killed four law enforcement officers and wounded four others began as officers approached the home to serve a warrant for a felon wanted for possessing a firearm. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins)

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings pauses at a press conference in Charlotte, N.C., Tuesday, April 30, 2024, regarding the shooting of four officers during an attempt to serve a warrant on April 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings listens to a question during a press conference in Charlotte, N.C., Tuesday, April 30, 2024, regarding a shooting that killed four officers during an attempt to serve a warrant on April 29. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings leaves a press conference in Charlotte, N.C., Tuesday, April 30, 2024, regarding a shooting that killed four officers during an attempt to serve a warrant on April 29. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

Rev. Raymond Johnson, of Marion, S.C., arranges flowers on the lawn of the home on Galway Drive in Charlotte, N.C., Tuesday, April 30, 2024 where a shootout between a suspect and officers occurred during an attempt to serve a warrant on April 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — President Joe Biden is expected to travel to North Carolina on Thursday to meet with the family members of four officers killed earlier this week in the deadliest attack on U.S. law enforcement since 2016.

The president is scheduled to visit Wilmington across the state that day and is planning to add a stop in Charlotte to meet with local officials and the families of officers shot Monday while serving a warrant, according to a person familiar with the matter.

The four officers were killed when a task force made up of officers from different agencies arrived in the residential neighborhood in the city of 900,000 to try to capture 39-year-old Terry Clark Hughes Jr. on warrants for possession of a firearm by an ex-felon and fleeing to elude in Lincoln County, North Carolina. Hughes was also killed.

Four other officers were wounded in the shootout, and an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle, a 40-caliber handgun and ammunition were found at the scene. Those killed were identified as Sam Poloche and William Elliott of the North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections; Charlotte-Mecklenburg Officer Joshua Eyer; and Deputy U.S. Marshal Thomas Weeks.

After the attack, Biden expressed his condolences and support for the community, calling the slain officers “heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice, rushing into harm’s way to protect us.”

“We must do more to protect our law enforcement officers. That means funding them – so they have the resources they need to do their jobs and keep us safe. And it means taking additional action to combat the scourge of gun violence. Now,” Biden said in a statement, calling on leaders in Congress to pass a ban on assault weapons, among other gun control measures.

Also on Wednesday, a local police chief said that an officer from his force who was shot Monday underwent surgery and is expected to make a full recovery. David W. Onley, the police chief of Statesville in the Charlotte metropolitan area, expressed condolences Wednesday and “unwavering solidarity with our law enforcement brethren during this difficult time,” according to a statement released by his office.

One of the four officers injured in the attack was Cpl. Casey Hoover of the Statesville Police Department, who served on the task force. He was shot in his upper torso — an area unprotected by his bulletproof vest.

Hoover was taken by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department to a Charlotte hospital, where he underwent surgery. Onley said the officer, who has worked for the Statesville police for eight years, is now stable and is expected to make a full recovery and “exemplifies the bravery and resilience of our law enforcement community.”

Law enforcement officers were still investigating Wednesday, attempting to determine a precise timeline of events and whether Hughes acted alone or with a second shooter.

Hughes’ criminal record in North Carolina goes back more than a decade. It includes prison time and convictions for breaking and entering, reckless driving, eluding arrest and illegally possessing a gun as a former felon, according to state records.

The attack was the deadliest day for U.S. law enforcement in one incident since five officers were killed by a sniper during a protest in Dallas in 2016.

Miller reported from Washington.

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