10 things that can surprise you about pregnancy

10 things that can surprise you about pregnancy

Pregnancy information is everywhere. At your first prenatal visit, your doctor will give you a handful of pamphlets explaining all the tests and the length of your pregnancy.

Despite all this information, here are 10 common surprises that pregnancy can bring.

1. Nesting Instinct

Many expectant mothers feel a strong urge to build a nest, a desire to prepare the house for the baby by cleaning and decorating the house.

As your due date approaches, you may find yourself cleaning out the cupboards or mopping the walls. At 9 months pregnant, it was unimaginable! This desire to prepare a home can be useful.

2. Concentration problems

In the first trimester of pregnancy, fatigue and morning sickness can make many women feel exhausted and mentally clouded. However, even pregnant women who get enough rest can have periods of trouble concentrating and forgetfulness.

3. Diversion

Premenstrual syndrome and pregnancy are similar in many ways. Your breasts may swell and soften, your hormones may fluctuate, and you may feel depressed. If you have PMS, your mood swings may be more severe during pregnancy. They can make you feel happy for one minute and then want to cry the next.

Mood changes are very common during pregnancy. They tend to occur more at the end of the first trimester and third trimester.

Many pregnant women experience depression during pregnancy. Talk to your healthcare provider if symptoms such as sleep problems, changes in eating habits, or mood swings persist for more than 2 weeks.

4. Bra size

An increase in breast size is one of the first signs of pregnancy. Breast growth in early pregnancy is due to elevated levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Growth in the first trimester may not be the end.

Breasts can continue to grow during pregnancy!

Bra size can also be affected by your rib cage. Pregnancy increases your lung capacity so you can get extra oxygen, which can increase your breast size. You may need to change your bra several times during pregnancy.

5. Skin Changes

Do Your Friends Say You Have That Pregnancy Light? This is just one of many effects that can be caused by hormonal changes and stretching the skin.

Pregnant women have increased blood volume to provide additional blood flow to the uterus and other organs, especially the kidneys. The larger the volume, the more blood is supplied to the vessels and the secretion of the oil glands increases.

Also, many pregnant women develop heat rashes from moisture and sweating. In general, pregnancy can be an itchy time for women. Stretching of the skin over the abdomen can cause itching and peeling. Your doctor may recommend a cream to soothe dry or itchy skin.

6. Hair and Nails

Many women experience changes in the texture and growth of their hair during pregnancy. Hormones make your hair grow faster and fall out less.

However, these hair changes are usually not permanent. Many women lose some hair during the postpartum period or after stopping breastfeeding.

Some women find hair growing on unwanted areas, such as the face, belly, or around the nipples. Changes in hair texture can make your hair drier or more oily. Some women even notice a change in hair color.

Nails, like hair, can also change during pregnancy. Extra hormones can make them grow faster and stronger. However, some women find their nails crack and break more easily during pregnancy. 

Just like changes in hair, changes in nails are not permanent. 

If your nails crack and tear more easily during pregnancy, trim your nails and avoid chemica.

7. shoe size

Even if none of your clothes fit before pregnancy, you still have shoes, right? Maybe

but maybe not. 

Having extra fluid in your pregnant body means that many women have swollen feet and need to wear bigger shoes. Especially in summer, larger size slip-on shoes can be more comfortable.

8. Joint Mobility

During pregnancy, the body produces the hormone relaxin, which is believed to help prepare the genitals and cervix for childbirth. Relaxin loosens the body's ligaments, making them less stable and increasing the risk of injury. 

In particular, the joints of the pelvis, lower back, and knees are prone to excessive stretching or tension. When exercising or lifting objects, move slowly and avoid sudden, rocky movements.

9. Varicose veins, hemorrhoids, constipation

Varicose veins, usually found in the legs and genital area, occur when blood pools in the veins enlarged by pregnancy hormones. Varicose veins often go away after pregnancy. To prevent:

• Avoid standing or sitting for long periods of time
• wear loose clothes
• wear a support hose
• Raise your feet as you sit down.

Hemorrhoids, varicose veins in the rectum, are also common during pregnancy. Blood volume increases and the uterus puts pressure on the pelvis. 

As a result, the veins in the rectum can become as large as clusters of grapes. Hemorrhoids can be very painful, especially bleeding, itching, or burning during or after a bowel movement.

Constipation is another common pregnancy woe. 

It occurs because pregnancy hormones slow the passage of food through the gastrointestinal tract. 

In the second half of pregnancy, the uterus can press on the large intestine, making it difficult to make BM. 

And constipation can be the cause of hemorrhoids. This is because if you force yourself to go, the veins in your rectum can become enlarged.

The best way to deal with constipation and hemorrhoids is to prevent it. Eating a fiber-rich diet, drinking plenty of water every day, and exercising regularly can help keep your BM regular. 

Stool softeners (not laxatives) may also help. If you have hemorrhoids, talk to your healthcare provider about creams or ointments that can reduce hemorrhoids.

10. What comes out of your body during labor

So you survived the mood swings and hemorrhoids, and I think your surprise is over. But the day you give birth is probably the biggest surprise.

During pregnancy, amniotic fluid surrounds the baby. These sacs burst (or "rupture") at the onset or during labor. 

This is commonly referred to as the moment when the water bursts. For most women in labor, contractions begin before the water bursts. Sometimes doctors have to rupture the amniotic membrane (if the cervix is ​​already dilated).

How much water can you expect? A full-term baby has about 2-3 cups of amniotic fluid. Some women feel a strong urge to urinate, which can cause fluid to burst when the water bursts.

 Others may only feel water dripping from their legs because the baby's head acts as a stopper that keeps most of the body fluids from leaking.

Amniotic fluid usually has a sweet smell and is pale or colorless. It's replaced every three hours, so don't be surprised if you're still leaking about a cup of fluid an hour until you give birth.

Other, unexpected things can come out of your body during labor. Some women have nausea and vomiting. It is also common for other people to have diarrhea and gas before or during labor.

 You may lose control of your bladder or intestines during the push phase of labor.
Birth planning can help inform your health care provider about delivery and how to handle these and other aspects of childbirth.

Many surprises are waiting for you when you are pregnant. But there's nothing sweeter than how you feel when your newborn baby is held in your arms!