There is a wealth of pregnancy information available. Your doctor will probably hand you armloads of leaflets covering every test and trimester at your first pregnancy appointment.
Despite all of this knowledge, here are 10 typical surprises that can occur during your pregnancy:
#1 The Instinct To Nest
The nesting instinct, a strong drive to clean and decorate your home in anticipation of the baby, is experienced by many pregnant women.
In your ninth month of pregnancy, you probably wouldn't have envisioned scrubbing cabinets or washing walls, but as your due date approaches, you might find yourself doing just that! You'll have less tasks to complete after the birth if you feel the need to get your house ready. However, be cautious not to overdo it.
#2 Having Trouble Concentrating
Many pregnant women have fatigue and foggy thinking in the first trimester due to morning sickness and fatigue. But even well-rested pregnant women can experience memory loss and concentration issues. Hormonal changes and baby-related thoughts both play a part. Everything may appear to be secondary to the baby and the impending birth, including work, bills, and doctor's visits. However, you can try to remember dates and appointments by making lists.
#3 Shifts in Mood
Pregnancy and premenstrual symptoms share many similarities. Your hormones fluctuate, your breasts expand and become sore, and you could feel moody. If you suffer from PMS, your mood swings throughout pregnancy are probably going to be more extreme. They have the ability to make you feel pleased one minute and like crying the next.
Mood changes during pregnancy are fairly typical, as discussed in our previous blogs.
In the first trimester and toward the end of the third trimester, they typically occur more frequently. Speak with your healthcare practitioner if you have symptoms such as sleep issues, dietary changes, and mood fluctuations for more than two weeks.
#4 Brief Size
One of the earliest indications of pregnancy is an increase in breast size. Elevated levels of the hormones progesterone and estrogen cause breast growth in the first trimester. Your breasts may continue to develop throughout your pregnancy, so that growth you noticed in the first trimester might not be the end!
Your ribcage may also have an impact on the size of your bra. Your ability to take in more oxygen when you're pregnant causes your lung capacity to expand, which could result in a larger chest size. During your pregnancy, you might need to buy new bras a few times.
#5 Skin Alterations
Do your friends think you have the glow of pregnancy? It's only one of the many consequences that hormone fluctuations and skin stretching can have.
In order to enhance blood flow to the kidneys and other organs, particularly the uterus, pregnant women have larger blood volumes. The increased volume boosts oil gland output and increases blood flow to the arteries. Chloasma, sometimes known as the "mask of pregnancy," are brownish or yellowish blotches that some women get on their faces.Â
Additionally, the darkened skin could look as splotches of color because the additional pigment may not be uniform. Although chloasma cannot be prevented, its symptoms can be lessened by using sunscreen and avoiding UV exposure.Â
After giving delivery, the majority of these skin changes should go away. As a result of moisture and perspiration, heat rash affects many pregnant women as well. Pregnancy is generally an uncomfortable time for women. Itching and flaking could result from the skin expanding over the abdomen. Creams to relieve dry or itchy skin can be advised by your doctor.
#6 Nails & Hair
During pregnancy, many women experience changes in the texture and development of your hair. Your hair may grow more quickly and lose less hair thanks to hormones. However, these hair changes are frequently temporary. In the months following childbirth or after they cease breastfeeding, many women experience hair loss. Hair might also get drier or oilier as a result of textural changes.
During pregnancy, nails can change just like hair can. Additional hormones may accelerate their growth and increase their strength. However, some women discover that while pregnant, their nails split and break more easily. Nail modifications are not permanent, like hair changes. Keep your nails short and avoid the chemicals in nail paint and nail polish remover if you find that they split and rip more easily when you're pregnant.
#7 Size of Shoes
You still have your shoes even though you can't fit into any of your pre-pregnancy clothing, right? Perhaps, but perhaps not. Many pregnant women's bodies produce extra fluid, resulting in swollen feet and the requirement for a bigger shoe size. It may be more comfortable to wear slip-on shoes in a larger size, especially during the summer.
#8 Joint Mobility
Your body produces the hormone relaxin during pregnancy, which is thought to aid in preparing the pubic region and the cervix for delivery. Your body's ligaments are loosened by relaxing, which reduces your stability and increases your chance of injury. You can easily overextend or strain your joints, particularly those in your knees, lower back, and pelvis. Exercise or lifting should be done carefully; avoid quick, jerky motions.
#9 Hemorrhoids, Constipation, & Varicose Veins
Blood accumulates in veins made enlarged by pregnancy hormones, causing varicose veins, which are most commonly found in the legs and genital region. After pregnancy, varicose veins frequently disappear. To aid in their prevention
- Don't spend a lot of time sitting or standing still.
- Put on comfortable clothing and support hose.
- when you sit, elevate your feet.
Another typical problem during pregnancy is constipation. It occurs as a result of the hormones that cause pregnancy slowing how quickly food moves through the digestive system. Your uterus may press against your large intestine in the later stages of pregnancy, making it challenging for you to have a BM. Additionally, hemorrhoids can be exacerbated by constipation since straining to urinate can expand the rectum's veins.
Preventing constipation and hemorrhoids is the best approach to handle them. BMs can be kept regular by eating a diet high in fiber, drinking lots of fluids everyday, and engaging in regular exercise. Laxative-free stool softeners may also be helpful. Ask your doctor about a lotion or ointment that helps decrease hemorrhoids if you do have them.
#10 Things Your Body Extrudes During Labor
Having overcome the mood swings and hemorrhoids, you now believe that the surprises are done. But the biggest surprises will undoubtedly occur on the day you give birth.
Your baby is encased in fluid during pregnancy in the amniotic sac. At the beginning or during labor, this sac ruptures, which is typically referred to as your water breaking. Most women in labor begin to experience contractions before their water bursts. Occasionally, a doctor must rupture the amniotic sac (if the cervix is already dilated).
How much water should you anticipate? There are around 2 to 3 cups of amniotic fluid for a full-term infant. When their water breaks, some women may have a strong urge to urinate that results in a rush of urine. Typically, amniotic fluid has a nice fragrance and is either colorless or pale. It is refilled by your body every three hours, so until delivery, don't be shocked if you continue to leak fluid at a rate of roughly a cup each hour.
During labor, more, unexpected items could come out of your body. Some women vomit and feel sick. Others experience diarrhea before or during labor, and gas is another common symptom. You can become incontinent or lose control of your bladder or intestines when pushing during delivery.
Your intentions for handling these and other aspects of labor and delivery can be expressed to your healthcare professionals more clearly with the aid of a birth plan.
While being pregnant may bring you a lot of pleasant surprises, nothing will compare to the joy you'll feel the moment you hold your unborn child in your arms.