Here are 10 common surprises that pregnancy can bring.
- The Nesting Instinct
Many pregnant women feel the nesting instinct, a powerful urge to prepare their home for the baby by cleaning and decorating. As your due date draws closer, you may find yourself cleaning cupboards or washing walls—tasks you never would have imagined doing in your ninth month of pregnancy! This desire to prepare your home can be useful, as you’ll have fewer to-do items after the birth. However, be careful not to overdo it.
- Problems With Concentration
In the first trimester, tiredness and morning sickness can make many women feel worn out and mentally fuzzy. Even well-rested pregnant women may have trouble concentrating and experience periods of forgetfulness. Thinking about the baby and hormonal changes play a role. Everything—work, bills, doctor visits—may seem less important than the baby and the coming birth. Making lists can help you remember dates and appointments.
- Mood Swings
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and pregnancy are alike in many ways. Your breasts swell and become tender, your hormones fluctuate, and you may feel moody. If you have PMS, you’re likely to have more severe mood swings during pregnancy, making you go from being happy one minute to feeling like crying the next. Mood swings are common during pregnancy, especially in the first and third trimesters. Many pregnant women experience depression. If you have symptoms such as sleep problems, changes in eating habits, and mood swings for longer than two weeks, talk to your health care provider.
- Bra Size
An increase in breast size is one of the first signs of pregnancy. Breast growth in the first trimester is due to higher levels of estrogen and progesterone. This growth might not end there—your breasts can continue to grow throughout your pregnancy! Your ribcage may also expand to accommodate increased lung capacity, leading to a bigger chest size. You may need to replace your bras several times during your pregnancy.
- Skin Changes
Do your friends say you have that pregnancy glow? It’s one of many effects from hormonal changes and skin stretching. Pregnant women have increased blood volume to provide extra blood flow to the uterus and other organs, especially the kidneys. This greater volume brings more blood to the vessels and increases oil gland secretion. Some women develop brownish patches on their face called melasma or notice a dark line in the middle of the abdomen known as the linea nigra. Increased pigment might not be even, so darkened skin may appear as splotches. It can’t be prevented, but wearing sunscreen and avoiding UV light can minimize its effects. Acne is common because the skin’s sebaceous glands make more oil. Pre-existing moles or freckles may get bigger and darker. Many pregnant women also get heat rash from dampness and sweating. Skin stretching over the abdomen may cause itchiness and flaking. Most skin changes get better or go away after the baby is born.
- Hair and Nails
Many women experience changes in hair texture and growth during pregnancy. Hormones can make your hair grow faster and fall out less. However, these changes usually aren’t permanent; many women lose some hair postpartum or after they stop breastfeeding. Some women grow hair in unwanted places, like the face or belly, or around the nipples. Hair texture changes can make hair drier or oilier, and some women even notice a change in hair color. Nails, like hair, can change during pregnancy. Extra hormones can make them grow faster and become stronger, though some women find their nails split and break more easily. These changes aren’t permanent. If your nails split and tear more easily, keep them trimmed and avoid the chemicals in nail polish and remover.
- Shoe Size
You might think you still have your shoes even if you can’t fit into your pre-pregnancy clothes, but that might not be the case. Extra fluid in their bodies means many pregnant women have swollen feet. Additionally, joints tend to be looser during pregnancy. The extra weight of pregnancy can push down on loose joints in the feet, making them flatter, longer, and wider. Women often need a larger shoe size when pregnant, and sometimes even after pregnancy. Wearing slip-on shoes in a larger size can be more comfortable, especially in the summer.
- Joint Mobility
During pregnancy, your body makes the hormone relaxin, which helps prepare the pubic area and cervix for birth. Relaxin and other factors related to pregnancy loosen the ligaments in your body, making you less stable and more at risk for injury. It’s easy to overstretch or strain yourself, especially the joints in your pelvis, lower back, and knees. When exercising or lifting objects, go slowly and avoid sudden, jerking movements.
- Varicose Veins, Hemorrhoids, and Constipation
Varicose veins, usually found in the legs and genital area, happen when blood pools in veins enlarged by pregnancy hormones. They often go away after pregnancy. To help prevent them, avoid standing or sitting for long periods, wear loose-fitting clothing and support hose, and raise your feet when you sit. Hemorrhoids, which are varicose veins in the rectum, are also common during pregnancy due to increased blood volume and pressure from the uterus. Hemorrhoids can be painful and may bleed, itch, or sting, especially during or after a bowel movement. Constipation, another common issue, happens because pregnancy hormones slow food passage through the gastrointestinal tract. In later stages, the uterus may push against the large intestine, making bowel movements difficult. Preventing constipation and hemorrhoids involves a fiber-rich diet, plenty of liquids, and regular exercise. If you’re constipated, talk to your doctor about stool softeners or laxatives. For hemorrhoids, ask about creams or ointments to shrink them.
- Things That Come Out of Your Body During Labor
So you’ve survived mood swings and hemorrhoids, but the day you give birth will probably hold the biggest surprises. During pregnancy, fluid surrounds your baby in the amniotic sac. This sac breaks (or «ruptures») at the start of or during labor, known as your water breaking. For most women in labor, contractions start before their water breaks, but sometimes the doctor must rupture the amniotic sac if the cervix is already dilated. Expect around 2 to 3 cups of amniotic fluid for a full-term baby. Some women may feel an intense urge to pee that leads to a gush of fluid when their water breaks, while others may feel a trickling down their leg because the baby’s head acts like a stopper. Amniotic fluid is generally sweet-smelling and pale or colorless. It’s replaced every three hours, so don’t be surprised if you continue to leak fluid until delivery. Other unexpected things may come out of your body during labor, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or passing gas. During the pushing phase, you may lose control of your bladder or bowels. A birth plan can help communicate your wishes to your healthcare providers about handling these and other aspects of labor and delivery.
Lots of surprises are in store for you during pregnancy, but none sweeter than the way you’ll feel once your newborn is in your arms!