Nicole Richie says pregnancy was "easy".

The 26-year-old socialite, who gave birth to daughter Harlow on January 11, admits she expected to feel far worse while carrying her baby.

Nicole, who is engaged to rocker Joel Madden, said: "I didn't have morning sickness and I was waiting for it because everyone said the first trimester is so hard. I had a really easy pregnancy. I was tired a lot but that was the only thing. I felt great physically, but Joel says my hormones were really bad!"

Joel insists Nicole is a natural mother because she can adapt to any situation, but admits she was difficult to live with when she was pregnant.

The Good Charlotte star told Britain's OK! magazine: "Nicole is really laid back. You can tell her anything, nothing shocks her. That was the first time I had seen her worked up. I'd be like, 'Woah, this is not the girl I know.' Like if I was late, it is usually no big deal, but it was like, 'Where were you? You know that I have been waiting here, and you couldn't even call?' It was cute."

Nicole also revealed giving birth was a "mellow" experience for her.

She said: "The birth was mellow. I don't know what time I went into labor, but I pushed for 10 minutes. Three pushes and she was out."