Are some pregnant women more likely than others to feel nauseated?

You're more likely to have nausea or vomiting during your pregnancy if any of the following apply:

  • You're pregnant with twins or higher multiples.This may be from the higher levels of hCG, estrogen, or other hormones in your system. You're also more likely to have a more severe case than average. On the other hand, it's not a definite thing—some women carrying twins have little or no nausea.
  • You had nausea and vomiting in a previous pregnancy.
  • You have a history of nausea or vomiting as a side effect of taking birth control pills. This is probably related to your body's response to estrogen.
  • You have a history of motion sickness.
  • You have a genetic predisposition to nausea during pregnancy. If your mother or sisters had severe morning sickness, there's a higher chance you will, too.
  • You have a history of migraine headaches.
  • You're carrying a girl. One study found that women with severe nausea and vomiting in the first trimester were 50 percent more likely to be carrying a girl.
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Will my nausea affect my baby?

The mild to moderate nausea and occasional vomiting commonly associated with morning sickness won't threaten your baby's well-being. If you don't gain any weight in the first trimester, it's generally not a problem as long as you're able to stay hydrated and can keep some food down. In most cases, your appetite will return soon enough and you'll start gaining weight.

If nausea keeps you from eating a balanced diet, make sure you're getting the nutrients you need by taking a prenatal vitamin.

Severe and prolonged vomiting, however, has been linked to a greater risk of preterm birth, low birth weight, and newborns who are small for their gestational age. However, a large study of women who were hospitalized with severe vomiting found that those who were able to gain at least 15.4 pounds during their pregnancy had no worse outcomes than other women.