Congratulations! You're pregnant and you are waiting for that familiar feeling of nausea to hit... But it never does. Don't panic, this is perfectly normal (and enviable)! In fact, up to 25% of expectant mothers experience no morning sickness during pregnancy (lucky ducks).
What Is Morning Sickness?
Morning sickness is the common term used for nausea or vomiting during pregnancy (the ultimate gift from your little one-to-be). It usually occurs in the mornings but can also happen at any time throughout the day or night (fun, fun, fun!).
Why Does Morning Sickness Happen?
The exact reasons why morning sickness happens aren't entirely clear but there are a few plausible theories out there:
- Evolutionary reason - Our ancestors had a strong aversion towards bitter tastes due to their association with poisonous plants which would prevent them from consuming anything harmful.
- Hormonal fluctuation - The increase in human chorionic gonadotrophin aka HCG levels produced by your placenta may cause nausea.
- Sensitivity to smells - Pregnant women's sense of smell increases and causes them to find certain odors nauseating.
Whether you end up experiencing morning sickness or not, everyone has different symptoms when it comes to carrying a baby.
So If I Don’t Get Morning Sickness… Am I Okay?
Absolutely! Every woman’s body reacts differently to carrying another life inside her womb (it truly is miraculous what our bodies can do!). A failure to 'spew' every five minutes doesn’t indicate anything negative about either the mom or baby’s health.
Are There Any Benefits To Not Having Morning Sickness?
Yes! Here are some upsides if you don't experience morning sickness:
- You feel better sooner
- Less Cravings
- Higher energy levels
- Less trips to the bathroom (you can keep your dignity!)
- Eating a wider range of foods
What About My Baby?
Don’t worry - your lack of morning sickness won't have any negative impact on your baby’s health. While symptoms are indications that there is activity within, they do not necessarily indicate healthy fetal development or mother-baby bonding.
Will I Have Other Symptoms Instead?
Of course! Just because you don’t experience nausea doesn't mean you're immune to other pregnancy-related ailments such as:
- Backaches
- Cramping
- Bloating
- Constipation (joyous times!)
So… Can I Enjoy Pregnancy Without Morning Sickness?
Yes, and it may allow for a longer window of time in which enjoy being pregnant without feeling miserable.(hooray!). Many women feel anxious or guilty if they aren't experiencing common pregnancy afflictions but rest assured that all pregnancies are different.
Anything Else I Should Know?
While morning sickness might seem annoying (and it is), it can also be an indication of a healthy functioning placenta so please contact your healthcare provider for additional guidance should feel something is wrong.
Conclusion
All pregnant mommas-to-be face unique challenges during this beautiful journey we call life; throwing up happens to many but don't stress, everything will be okay whether you experience it or not (cue the supermom music)!