Why Do Pregnant Moms Always Feel Nauseous? 6 Things Every Mom Should Know

Feeling nauseous during pregnancy is something many moms experience, especially during the early months. Have you ever woken up feeling sick, struggled to enjoy your favourite food or suddenly felt uncomfortable because of a particular smell? You're not alone, Mommy!

Pregnancy nausea, commonly known as morning sickness, is very common during the first trimester. Despite its name, morning sickness can happen at any time of the day, whether it's morning, afternoon or even late at night.

According to the NHS – Vomiting and Morning Sickness, pregnancy sickness usually improves by weeks 16 to 20, although some moms may experience symptoms for longer.

So, why do pregnant moms feel nauseous so often, and what can help make it more manageable?

Here are six things every pregnant mom should know about nausea during pregnancy.

1. Pregnancy Hormones Are Changing Rapidly

One of the main reasons pregnant moms experience nausea is the hormonal changes that happen during early pregnancy.

Hormones associated with pregnancy, including human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and GDF15, are linked to pregnancy nausea and vomiting. Research suggests that GDF15, a hormone produced by the placenta, plays an important role in triggering nausea and loss of appetite.

This explains why some moms may begin feeling nauseous even before their pregnancy bump becomes noticeable. Pregnancy sickness commonly starts between weeks 4 and 7, although the timing and severity can vary.

According to the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), hormonal and genetic factors may help explain why some pregnant women experience more severe sickness than others. For many moms, symptoms gradually improve as pregnancy progresses. However, every pregnancy is different, so don't compare your experience with someone else's.

2. Your Sense of Smell May Become More Sensitive

Have you ever suddenly felt sick because of the smell of cooking oil, perfume, coffee or even your favourite meal?

During pregnancy, some moms become more sensitive to certain smells. Scents that never bothered you before may suddenly trigger nausea or make you feel uncomfortable.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) explains that hormonal changes during pregnancy may increase sensitivity to certain smells and affect your sense of taste. This can make everyday activities, such as preparing meals, travelling in a car or visiting crowded places, more challenging.

If strong smells trigger your nausea, try keeping your surroundings well-ventilated and avoiding scents that make you feel sick. You may also find that eating cooler foods is easier because they often produce less noticeable smells than hot meals.

Don't worry if your food preferences suddenly change, Mommy. Finding foods that you can comfortably tolerate can make a difference during this stage.

3. An Empty Stomach May Make Nausea Feel Worse

Some pregnant moms notice that their nausea becomes worse when they haven't eaten for several hours, especially after waking up in the morning.

An empty stomach may make nausea more noticeable for some women. At the same time, feeling nauseous can make you lose your appetite, creating a frustrating cycle where you feel too sick to eat but even worse when you skip meals.

Instead of eating three large meals, try having smaller meals more frequently throughout the day. Simple foods such as plain crackers, toast, rice or bananas may be easier to tolerate.

According to ACOG – Morning Sickness: Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy, eating small, frequent meals and trying dry toast or crackers before getting out of bed may help manage nausea. You can also try keeping a small snack beside your bed if this helps you feel more comfortable in the morning.

The goal is not to force yourself to eat large portions but to find a manageable eating routine that works for your body.

4. Certain Foods Can Trigger Nausea

During pregnancy, your food preferences may change unexpectedly. Foods that you previously enjoyed might suddenly make you feel sick, while simple or bland foods may become more appealing. Greasy, strongly flavoured or spicy foods can worsen nausea for some pregnant moms. Large meals may also make you feel overly full and uncomfortable.

If you notice that certain foods trigger your symptoms, try avoiding them temporarily and choosing lighter meals instead. Foods such as porridge, plain noodles, soup or toast may be easier to manage.

The NHS – Vomiting and Morning Sickness recommends trying small, frequent meals containing plain, carbohydrate-rich foods that are relatively low in fat.

However, there's no single diet that works for everyone. Some moms may tolerate spicy food without any problem, while others may feel nauseous even after eating something mild.

Focus on eating what you can tolerate while maintaining a balanced diet as much as possible. If you're struggling to eat enough, speak with your healthcare provider for guidance.

5. Tiredness Can Make Pregnancy Nausea Harder to Manage

Pregnancy can already leave you feeling exhausted because of hormonal and physical changes. When you're not getting enough rest, nausea may feel even more difficult to cope with.

Some moms notice that their symptoms become worse after a long day at work, travelling or completing household chores. Feeling tired may also make it harder to prepare meals, stay hydrated and maintain regular eating habits.

According to the NHS – Vomiting and Morning Sickness, tiredness can make pregnancy nausea worse, which is why getting enough rest is one of the recommended ways to help manage symptoms.

Try allowing yourself more time to rest, especially during the first trimester. Taking short breaks, reducing unnecessary physical strain and asking family members for help with household tasks may make your daily routine easier.

Getting fresh air and taking gentle walks may also help some moms feel more comfortable, provided they feel well enough. Remember, Mommy, you don't have to push yourself to maintain the same routine you had before pregnancy.

6. Dehydration Can Make You Feel Even Worse

When you're feeling nauseous, drinking water may become difficult, especially if you're also vomiting. However, not getting enough fluids can lead to dehydration, which may cause additional symptoms such as dizziness, weakness, headaches and tiredness.

Instead of drinking a large amount of water at once, try taking small, frequent sips throughout the day. Some moms find chilled water, ice chips or clear fluids easier to tolerate.

According to ACOG – Morning Sickness: Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy, dehydration can worsen nausea. Drinking fluids regularly throughout the day is important, especially when you're experiencing vomiting.

If plain water makes you feel sick, you can try other pregnancy-safe drinks that you can comfortably keep down. Most importantly, if you cannot keep fluids down or notice signs of dehydration, don't wait for the symptoms to become severe before seeking medical advice.

Signs You Shouldn't Ignore

Although nausea and occasional vomiting are common during pregnancy, severe or persistent symptoms may indicate a condition called hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), which is a more serious form of pregnancy sickness.

According to the RCOG – Pregnancy Sickness and Hyperemesis Gravidarum, HG can make it difficult to eat, drink and carry out normal daily activities, and some women require hospital treatment.

Contact your doctor or maternity healthcare provider promptly if you experience:

• Frequent or severe vomiting: Vomiting repeatedly or being unable to keep food and fluids down.

• Signs of dehydration: Very dark urine, passing very little urine, feeling unusually thirsty or experiencing dizziness.

• Unexplained weight loss: Losing weight because you're unable to eat or drink enough.

• Severe weakness: Feeling extremely exhausted, faint or unable to carry out your usual activities.

• Persistent nausea affecting daily life: Symptoms that prevent you from eating, drinking, sleeping or functioning normally.

Seek urgent medical care if you faint, experience severe abdominal pain, vomit blood or develop signs of severe dehydration.

Severe pregnancy sickness can sometimes require medication or hospital treatment. Healthcare professionals can prescribe appropriate anti-sickness medicines during pregnancy, so you don't need to struggle through severe symptoms without help.