25 weird but normal pregnancy symptoms
- Nina G
- 5 days ago
- 16 min read
Gas and Burping
As your baby grows, space becomes tight in the abdominal area. "Your bowels become crowded and your digestion may become more erratic, leaving you gassy and bloated," says Sheri Bayles, RN, a New York City-based childbirth expert.
The hormones of pregnancy can send your gastrointestinal tract into a spin, making symptoms like belching, burping, and gas fairly common, especially in the first and third trimesters.
Plus, you may be eating differently now that you're pregnant, which can affect digestion too.
Tips
Eating smaller, more frequent meals often does the trick. It's also a good idea to limit gas-producing food and drink, which include the following:
Carbonated drinks
Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, and cabbage
Dairy
Spicy foods
Whole grains
A brisk, 20-minute walk after dinner (assuming you don't have any exercise restrictions) can also stimulate digestion and relieve gas.
For indigestion or heartburn that keeps you up at night, try sleeping with your head propped up on an extra pillow or with your legs elevated to relieve some of the pressure on your intestines and help you digest more easily. If none of this works, ask a health care provider if they recommend an anti-gas medicine.
Constipation
most pregnant people get constipated at some point during their pregnancy.
In fact, between 11% and 38% of pregnant people experience constipation.
Soon after you conceive, ramped-up pregnancy hormones like progesterone slow your digestive tract to a crawl to allow more nutrients to be absorbed and passed on to your baby.
This slow-down can cause constipation as early as eight weeks.
Plus, over time, your growing baby also starts crowding your bowels, making it harder to process even tiny meals.
Tips
Upping your fiber intake may get things moving, start eating more fresh fruit, veggies, beans, and whole grains.
For a small change that can make a big difference, switch to a high-fiber cereal and remember to drink plenty of water. You could also talk to a health care provider about trying a fiber supplement like Metamucil, which is safe to take during pregnancy.
If you're still uncomfortably backed up, your provider may suggest a gentle laxative like milk of magnesia. Just be sure to avoid stimulant laxatives, such as Dulcolax, Ex-Lax, and castor oil, which can cause contractions.
Linea Nigra
Increased estrogen levels boost the body's production of melanin, the natural substance that gives your skin pigment, resulting in your darkened nipples and linea nigra, the dark vertical line running down the middle of your tummy.
You may also notice melasma—dark splotches of skin on your face. These skin changes typically begin in the second trimester and tend to affect darker-complexioned pregnant people more noticeably.
Tips
You can't prevent all pregnancy-related skin changes, but slathering on sunscreen before you head outdoors can stop hyperpigmentation from becoming even more noticeable.
These pregnancy skin changes usually fade within a few weeks of giving birth, so try not to worry about them. In the meantime, if the dark line on your belly embarrasses you, avoid wearing thin, light-colored shirts where the line can show through.
Blurry Vision
You may wonder if you need glasses (or a new prescription), but vision issues during pregnancy are another side effect of fluid retention.
Your lenses and corneas may temporarily become thicker, and your eye pressure may change.
"When you're pregnant you get swollen all over, and that can affect your eyes," explains Christine Greves, MD, an OB-GYN at Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies in Orlando.
Tips
Fuzzy vision isn't always a normal pregnancy symptom, says Dr. Greves, so mention it to a health care provider to make sure it's not a sign of preeclampsia, a condition classified by high blood pressure, swelling, and excess protein in the urine. If your blurry vision is routine, don't worry: Your eyesight should return to normal after delivery.
Meanwhile, you might want to avoid getting a new prescription because your vision changes may be temporary. However, a pair of cheap reading glasses may help in the meantime.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Body fluids increase substantially during pregnancy. Swelling and pressure can often lead to carpal tunnel syndrome, which causes numbness and tingling around the wrist.
Tips
A wrist brace can help relieve the symptoms by stabilizing the area and minimizing movements that trigger discomfort, but the issue should resolve after pregnancy, so tell a health care provider if it persists. Physical therapy can also be beneficial if your symptoms are severe or interfere with daily life.
Itchy nipples and breasts
During pregnancy, many people notice their breasts and nipples are getting larger in preparation for lactation.
it's also common for nipples can become itchy during pregnancy—even in the first trimester.
Beginning in early pregnancy, as your chest area grows, the sensitive skin in this area stretches, which can trigger persistently itchy nipples and breasts or chest.
Changing hormones and increased blood flow to this area may also contribute to the nipple and breast or chest itch. Additionally, many pregnant people experience feelings of breast or chest heaviness or extra sensitivity (such as to touch, from clothing, or in the shower), tingling, or soreness.
Tips
Moisturize! "Dab a thick, emollient lanolin cream like Lansinoh on your nipples when you feel the need to scratch," suggests Bayles.
Slathering on coconut oil or shea butter—and cocoa butter-based lotions and creams after showering—can also keep your skin supple and prevent or reduce itchiness.
It's also a good idea to avoid wearing potentially irritating fabrics like wool, rough cotton, or cashmere blends. For extra comfort, if you wear bras trade them for soft cotton nursing bras or camisoles with built-in support (and if you choose to breastfeed, these items will do double duty).
A cool compress or bath can also help relieve itchy nipples and breasts or chest. Be sure to drink enough water, too, as dehydration can dry out the skin, exacerbating itchiness.
Sharp Groin Pain
Abdominal pain, which is also called pelvic girdle or pelvic cavity pain, is very common in pregnancy.
These down-there pains tend to start up mid-pregnancy when the round ligaments in your pelvis stretch to accommodate your growing baby
Sharp groin pain may come in sudden bursts or linger with a dull achy feeling.
This discomfort is sometimes centered on the abdominal skin and belly button area, causing soreness or pain, which may be referred to as belly button pain.
Additionally, some people experience a whitening of the skin around the belly button, with or without pain in the area.
You may feel pains when you stand up suddenly, or they may hit after a long day of being on your feet. Later on, the weight of your baby's head pressing down on your pubic bone can also cause groin aches.
Tips
Take a load off your feet. The next time sharp groin pain hits, prop up your legs on a footrest or pillows to relieve the pressure on your pelvis.
If the ache comes on at work, sit down and rest a few seconds until it subsides, and then try to take it easy for the rest of the day.
Simply changing positions often helps.
Wearing a belly support band under your belly or doing a simple stretch, like flexing your knees toward your abdomen, can also ease the pain by soothing some of the strain on your lower midsection.
You can also ask a health care provider about taking acetaminophen (never ibuprofen or aspirin, which aren't safe during pregnancy) to relieve it.
Leaking Urine
"When you're expecting, certain hormones signal your pelvic muscles to relax so you can eventually deliver your baby," explains Dr. Greenfield. This makes you more prone to little leaks—known as urinary incontinence—while sneezing or giggling.
during the second trimester, your growing baby starts to put pressure on your bladder, which resides right in front of your uterus.
Tips
Doing Kegel exercises (contracting your pelvic floor muscles as though you're trying to hold in your pee) in sets of 10, several times a day, can minimize the leakage by strengthening the muscles around your bladder.
It also helps to take bathroom breaks every hour or two so your bladder doesn't get overly full, suggests Dr. Greenfield. If needed, wear a pad or pantyliner late in your pregnancy to help absorb small leaks.
Most importantly, check in with a health care provider for strategies that can help. Research shows that while many people experience some leaking during pregnancy, few seek treatment. Pelvic floor physical therapy might be a helpful option if weak pelvic muscles are contributing to leakage.
Decreased Sex Drive
Pregnancy tends to have an impact on libido. For some, libido increases during pregnancy. But if sex has dropped a few notches on your to-do list, you're not alone.
For starters, the fatigue and nausea common in early pregnancy can derail anyone's sex drive. Later on, an aching back and a large baby bump can put a damper on getting in the mood and can present serious logistical challenges.
Worries that sex could hurt you or the baby may give you pause before jumping into bed too.
Tips
Low libido during pregnancy and big life changes is completely normal. In fact, almost all pregnant people report feeling too exhausted or physically awkward for sex at some point in their pregnancies. Know that your sex drive may fluctuate throughout pregnancy. In fact, you may be dreading the deed now, but find yourself raring to go next month.
Sometimes, just talking with your partner about your fears or insecurities may put you at ease and rev your sex drive, says Dr. Riley. And remember, sex is totally safe for you and the baby, as long as your health care provider gives you the green light. "Your baby is floating in amniotic fluid and protected in the uterus, which is a thick, strong muscle," says Dr. Riley. So, your baby won't be harmed during sex.
Increased Sex Drive
Are you feeling friskier than a kitten? This weird pregnancy symptom is also totally normal—and very common.
First, there's increased blood flow to your nether regions (blood volume increases 30% to 50% during pregnancy), which can heighten your arousal and may even lead to more intense or multiple orgasms
You can also chalk it up to your pregnant state of mind. "Sometimes there's an extra closeness between partners because of this amazing occasion you're sharing," says Dr. Greenfield.
Or your libido may be in overdrive because this is the first time you've ever been able to enjoy sex as sex—without worrying about getting pregnant or not getting pregnant, explains Dr. Greenfield.
Tips
Unless your health care provider has told you otherwise, you're good to get it on. It's generally safe to enjoy whatever was on the menu pre-pregnancy. That said, you might want to explore different sex positions that take the pressure off your growing belly, such as cowgirl, oral sex, or doggy style. "If sex doesn't hurt you, then it doesn't hurt your baby," says Dr. Greenfield.
Pregnancy Acne
Pregnancy can be like nine long months of PMS for some people, triggering bumps and blemishes you haven't seen regularly since your teen years. Blame the hormones!
Tips
Studies have yet to confirm the safety of over-the-counter acne products like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide during pregnancy, but there is no evidence that their use adversely impacts pregnancy.
However, prescription Accutane (isotretinoin) has been linked to severe birth defects and should never be used during pregnancy.
Many pregnant people aim to avoid or minimize the use of over-the-counter acne products as much as possible. Talk to a health care provider about safe alternatives. They may recommend that you use a mild facial cleanser and a pore-clearing clay mask once a week. Luckily, pregnancy acne usually goes away shortly after delivery or when your hormones rebalance during pregnancy.
Stuffy Nose
Stuffy noses and nosebleeds are common in pregnancy due to an increase in the blood flow through your nose. In fact, the prevalence of nosebleeds is 20.3% in pregnancy compared with 6.2% in non-pregnant people.
The inside of the lining of your nose also swells while expecting, thanks to hormones, says Laura Dean, MD, an OB-GYN in Stillwater, Minnesota. "That swelling decreases the area for air circulation. Your nose can also be aggravated by dryness, which is worse in winter."
Tips
You can relieve some of your discomfort by using nasal saline drops or a humidifier. Spending a few minutes inhaling the steam in the shower can also help. Thankfully, all these nasal issues should vanish after pregnancy.
Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are dilated blood vessels around the anus—sort of like varicose veins in your butt, according to Dr. Riley. They may appear as itchy, burning bumps and occasionally they'll bleed, which is why blood in your stool or on toilet paper is one of the most common hemorrhoid symptoms. They can make going to the bathroom uncomfortable or even painful.
Many pregnant people experience hemorrhoids during pregnancy. They're often caused by the baby's weight pressing on veins in the groin. And chronic constipation doesn't help, since it forces you to strain more during bowel movements, aggravating things even more.
Tips
Keeping constipation in check is your best defense against hemorrhoid flare-ups.
Sip lots of water and nosh on fiber-rich foods like high-fiber cereals or bran muffins. Daily exercise, even just taking a walk, can really help as well.
Sitting for long periods tends to exacerbate the issue.
When you experience a hemorrhoid episode, keep the area clean and dry, and swab it with witch hazel pads to soothe the swelling, suggests Dr. Riley. If they really hurt or don't seem to be getting better after a few days, your health care provider may recommend a hydrocortisone cream to ease inflammation.
Vaginal Discharge
You may not have your period for nine months but don't store away those panty liners just yet. You may not expect an increase in vaginal discharge (also known as leukorrhea) during pregnancy.
"Rising estrogen levels, especially in the third trimester, cause the vagina to produce more secretions and discharge," says Dr. Riley.
Tips
You can't prevent or limit the discharge. If fact, vaginal discharge is a perfectly healthy part of pregnancy. But wearing cotton underwear may help you stay dry. It's more breathable and absorbent than synthetic fabric—not to mention comfier.
You can use a panty liner too, but remember to change the pad frequently, says Dr. Riley. "A damp pad can rub against your skin and cause irritation."
Routine bathing or showering is recommended, but don't scrub or attempt to clean inside the vagina. It's not necessary, says the ACOG, and can disturb the body's natural biome.
Also, never douche or use a tampon while pregnant, which can introduce bacteria into the vagina or push already present bacteria closer to the cervix and cause an infection
Crazy Pregnancy Dreams
Strange, unsettling dreams are a totally normal part of pregnancy. "When you're pregnant, you give up a lot of the control you once had," says Dr. Riley. This period of immense change often creates some feelings of nervousness about your future and impending parenthood.
These anxieties, combined with fatigue, trouble nodding off, and of course, those hormones, can lead to restless nights filled with weird dreams. It's common for expectant parents to report dreaming of things like horrible car accidents, forgetting to take care of their baby, or giving birth to animals.
Tips
Your subconscious scenarios may freak you out, but they're actually a healthy way to cope with uncertainties you may have over becoming a parent. Remember that what happens in your sleep is not a reflection of your intentions or your baby's future.
Talking about your dreams and rationalizing your fears may help you see that there's no reason to worry, says Dr. Riley. Dishing about your dreams to your partner or friends can help, as will jotting them down in a journal.
Sexy Dreams
Sexual dreams are common during pregnancy—and they can be quite explicit. (Some people even orgasm while they sleep.)
For one thing, different sleep patterns during pregnancy give you better dream recall, according to Dr. Fulbright. So, it may be that you've always had sexy dreams, but you just didn't remember them until now.
Second, "pregnancy is a very significant time in someone's life, and it might be a time of significant reflection," explains Dr. Fulbright.
Sexy dreams may be one way for your mind to celebrate your younger, carefree days as you prepare for an amazing future with your new baby. Third, all that extra blood coursing through your veins now that you're pregnant can cause you to experience sexual sensations a bit more intensely.
Tips
Typically, these dreams have minimal or no basis in reality. Since you have zero control over them, there's no need to feel guilty. Just enjoy!
Leaking Nipples
Leaky breasts are yet another sign that your body is getting baby-ready. "High levels of prolactin—the hormone that preps your breasts for nursing—at the end of pregnancy can sometimes cause fluid to leak from your nipples when they're stimulated," says Dr. Greenfield.
Everyday things like showering, changing your clothes, thinking about your baby, or having sex can be enough to trigger sudden nipple secretions.
Tips
You can't turn off the leakage, but you can prevent noticeable damp spots from appearing on your clothes by putting nursing pads inside your bra to absorb any leaks.
If you want, you can talk to a health care provider or lactation consultant about collecting some of the colostrum (just avoid pumping if you're before 37 weeks or at risk for premature labor).
Varicose Veins
Vulvar varicose veins, often called vaginal varicose veins, are dilated or swollen veins on the labia, says Michele Hakakha, MD, an OB-GYN in Beverly Hills.
This condition is caused by the pressure of your growing uterus on the veins in your vagina. If you have them in one pregnancy you're more likely to get them in future pregnancies.
The good news: "They cannot open up and bleed, regardless of how large they look," Dr. Hakakha says. (Note that some pregnant people also get varicose veins on the legs and feet.)
Tips
Vulvar varicose veins will shrink after delivery—in most cases going away entirely—but there's little that you can do about the veins while you're pregnant. Dr. Hakakha suggests wearing a V-belt, a special type of maternity belt that offers extra support.
She also recommends wearing a tight-fitting garment, such as Spanx (if it's comfortable for you), to help offset the weight of your growing belly. Also, do your best to stay active throughout your pregnancy. A sedentary lifestyle can make this condition worse. But don't worry: "Vulvar varicose veins do not pose any risk to baby or delivery," Dr. Hakakha says.
Nausea and Vomiting
They call it morning sickness but don't be fooled: Feeling nauseous can strike at any time of day. In fact, while as many as 91% of pregnant people experience some degree of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, some expectant parents feel queasy around the clock for months.
When morning sickness is more persistent and intense it's called hyperemesis gravidarum (HG). This condition impacts up to around 10% of pregnant people and can be severe enough to require medication or hospitalization.
The verdict's still out on what exactly causes morning sickness, but experts believe it's linked to soaring levels of pregnancy hormones that hit hardest in the first trimester. That said, some people don't experience morning sickness at all—and that's perfectly healthy, too.
Tips
There's no one silver bullet for easing morning sickness that works for everyone, so you may have to try several strategies to see what helps, says Dr. Greenfield.
To quell early morning queasies, some parents-to-be swear by nibbling something light and bland, like saltines, before getting out of bed. Avoiding triggering odors, such as perfumes or pungent foods, can also reduce nausea.
Other remedies include sucking on ginger candy (the root is often effective as a nausea soother) or eating a light snack at bedtime to keep the tummy from becoming empty and unsettled overnight.
On the upside, most people start feeling better after 12 or 14 weeks. Trust us: When the nausea finally lifts, you'll feel like a whole new person.
Changing Belly Button
While this seems like a weird pregnancy symptom, a changing belly button is your body's way of making a little extra room for your baby. "The stretching of your belly and the pressure from the baby inside can cause your belly button to stick out like a turkey timer," says Dr. Greenfield.
The pop usually comes on slowly during the last trimester when your baby is at their biggest and most crowded.
Tips
A protruding belly button doesn't hurt, though the skin may be extra sensitive when it rubs against your clothing. If it bothers you, wear a belly band that covers your belly button or stick a band-aid on it to prevent chafing and keep it from showing through your clothes.
Your belly button should shrink back to normal shortly after your baby arrives.
Dental Distress
You may discover that along with other parts of your body, your gums also swell during pregnancy, thanks to changing levels of progesterone and estrogen and increased blood flow.
"A pregnant person's gums can become engorged with blood, creating deep pockets with tender tissue, and bleed during brushing or flossing," explains Gildo Corradi, DDS, a dentist in New York City.
It's also common for pregnant people to experience a metallic taste in their mouths, a symptom that may be bothersome but is typically harmless.
However, if dental problems, such as gingivitis, already exist, they may be exacerbated during pregnancy.
Tips
If you notice significant bleeding from your gums, even when you aren't brushing, see a dentist. They can check for gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) and periodontitis (a severe gum infection that also affects surrounding ligaments and bone that is associated with a higher risk of preterm labor and low birth weight).
Dr. Corradi recommends having your teeth cleaned at the dentist's office twice during pregnancy and practicing good oral hygiene at home. For periodontitis, your dentist may give you an antibacterial mouth rinse. Fortunately, dental issues tend to resolve quickly after delivery.
Skin Tags
You may be a bit surprised to find that you suddenly have a bunch of skin tags—tiny overgrowths of skin that typically occur in places where your skin rubs together or against clothing, such as your neckline, underarms, or around your breasts.
They aren't contagious or due to poor hygiene. Instead, the tremendous physical changes during pregnancy, including changing hormone levels and the big increase in blood volume, cause this uptick in skin tags—along with many other skin issues and changes.
Tips
This weird pregnancy symptom sometimes (but not always) disappears after birth. If the skin tags bother you, a health care provider can remove them.
Worry About Your Partner Watching the Birth
Giving birth is an amazing moment, but it does come with a little blood, sweat, tears, and let's be honest, likely some poop and some potentially brand-new views of you. Knowing your partner or loved ones might witness you and your body going through this miraculous but graphic experience might make both of you a little nervous—and that's normal!
Tips
Chat with your partner. Let them know about your worries and ask what they think, says Dr. Greenfield. They may reassure you that they absolutely want to be there and that seeing the baby come out will only make them love you more.
Or they might admit that they are nervous too. If that's the case or if you really feel strongly about it, have a conversation about what's important to you. Take some childbirth classes so you have some idea of what to expect, and if necessary, agree on a compromise. (For instance, some people might decide for their partner to stay put next to their head, rather than watching the birth from the bottom of the bed.)
Pooping During Childbirth
If you're delivering vaginally, you're going to have to push hard to get that baby out—and that means using the same muscles and bearing down in a very similar way to the way you poop. (In fact, pushing like you have to poo might be the direction you hear from the labor nurse.)
Since there's no magical switch to ensure that the baby comes out while everything else stays in, some poop is likely to come out as you begin to push.
Tips
Not every person empties their bowels on the delivery table but when it happens, doctors and nurses really don't care. "Obstetricians are not squeamish people," assures Dr. Greenfield.
In fact, if you do poop, it means you're doing the right thing and pushing correctly, says Dr. Riley. And delivery room nurses are prepared for this and will swoop in and discretely wipe away anything that comes out. Thanks to these quick cleanups and epidurals, many new parents (and their delivery room guests) are blissfully unaware that anything but a beautiful baby came out.
Pooping is a perfectly normal part of the birth process—and being human—and nothing to be ashamed about.
Insomnia
You are probably familiar with the fact that pregnancy zaps your energy, at least during the first and third trimesters. With or without fatigue, though, some people also experience pregnancy insomnia.
Insomnia is common and can even be an early sign that you're pregnant, however it can occur throughout gestation and the postpartum periods. It can manifest in the form of difficulty falling asleep or the inability to fall back to sleep after being awakened (such as by all those nighttime trips to the bathroom).
Tips
Keep in mind that insomnia is usually something that comes and goes. You might experience it more in the first and third trimesters, or you may not see it at all. Both extremes are normal. Exercise, decreasing caffeine, and relaxation are the mainstays of non-medicinal relief for insomnia.
Read full article here:
Comments