Why “Morning Sickness” Is the Worst Misnomer of Pregnancy (And What It Really Means for You)

So, why is it called morning sickness if it can last ALL DAY? If you’re pregnant or have been around someone who is, you know the struggle. The nausea and queasiness can feel relentless, not just a cute little morning ritual. Let’s unpack this puzzling pregnancy paradox, inspired by a fascinating read from Mental Floss, Why Is It Called “Morning Sickness” If It Can Last All Day?.

The Morning Sickness Myth: A Name That Needs an Update

Historically, the term “morning sickness” was coined because many pregnant people reported feeling queasy primarily in the early hours. But recent science and countless personal stories reveal the truth: nausea can punch you anytime, anywhere—from breakfast to bedtime, and sometimes even through the night.

Why the misnomer? Turns out, the original observations were probably biased by when symptoms were reported or noticed. Plus, morning sickness is more like a spectrum of nausea episodes rather than a fixed event. So, it’s not just a morning visitor—more like an uninvited guest hanging around way longer than expected.

What Causes This All-Day Nausea Rollercoaster?

Understanding the why helps you manage the what. Morning sickness (aka nausea and vomiting of pregnancy) is believed to be caused by hormonal changes, especially spikes in human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and estrogen.

But here’s the wrinkle: these hormones don’t politely wait for sunrise. They’re busy fluctuating all day long. That’s why the nausea can strike any time, making