Pregnancy is one of the most exciting journeys you’ll ever embark on. Your lifelong bond forms long before birth, and there’s nothing quite like the feeling of nurturing a baby in the womb.
That said, it’s never an easy ride. Some pregnancies are more straightforward than others, but every woman experiences at least some unpleasant symptoms along the way.
If you’ve just gotten pregnant or are planning to have a baby in the future, this article is here to prepare you. Here are ten pregnancy symptoms to watch out for!
1. Morning Sickness and Nausea
One symptom that nearly all women experience during early pregnancy is nausea or feeling sick.
This is usually referred to as morning sickness, but the reality is that the symptom can happen at any point in the day. It’s usually one of the first signs that someone is pregnant, occurring around the sixth week of pregnancy.
It most commonly happens due to the hormonal fluctuations that occur as the egg attaches to the womb. If you’re experiencing this symptom, it’s recommended that you eat some bland snacks to settle your stomach. Ginger tea also helps some women cope with it.
2. Breast Changes
Another common symptom is strange sensations in the breasts: they may feel more sensitive, tender, or painful. These are signs that the body is preparing for breastfeeding. Once again, it’s a sign most commonly associated with early pregnancy.
You may also experience a darkening of the nipple area or tingling sensations, similar to pins and needles.
There’s not a great deal that can prevent this symptom from happening, but a supportive bra is a great start. While it won’t ease the symptoms directly, it’ll stop them from getting worse.
3. Achy Legs
As pregnancy progresses into the mid to late stages, you may find that your legs feel intensely achy, heavy, or even swollen.
If you get leg aches while pregnant, it’s usually due to the fact that the growing uterus is placing pressure on the surrounding blood vessels, which in turn, slows circulation to the lower extremities.
This can be exacerbated by hormonal changes that make your legs retain more fluid than usual, which causes the excessive heaviness.
4. Food Cravings and Dislikes
One symptom you’ve likely heard a lot about (or experienced) is specific food cravings or a great dislike for one or more particular foods.
These cravings or dislikes can seem completely random. For example, you might find that you develop an intense liking for a particular type of bread, and absolutely despise both the smell and taste of ice cream. Like many of the symptoms on this list, there’s a strong hormonal component at play.
5. Changes in Your Skin and Hair
One symptom that many women worry about is changes to their hair and skin, as it can go either way. Some women claim that their hair and skin exhibit a glow, while others complain of dullness or dryness.
It’s unfortunately luck of the draw which of these you experience and to what degree, though there are thankfully things you can do to mitigate the effects of the latter. You should always wear sunscreen, even on cloudy days, to lessen the risk of hyperpigmentation darkening and becoming more obvious, and keep a solid skin routine involving a gentle cleanser and moisturiser.
6. Shortness of Breath
During the mid to later stages of the pregnancy, you may feel like you can’t catch your breath. This usually happens most during periods of exertion, such as climbing a flight of stairs, though it can also occur at rest.
It’s most commonly caused by the mechanical toll carrying a baby has on the body, and increased progesterone is also thought to play a role.
Avoid strenuous exercise, and if you ever experience severe pain, seek medical attention immediately.
7. Back Pain
A symptom that wears a lot of women down during pregnancy is back pain. This can occur for several reasons, but mostly, the pain is experienced due to the postural changes that happen as a result of shifting weight distribution.
You can mitigate the effects by making a conscious effort to maintain good standing and sitting posture, and exercise like prenatal yoga can help keep your joints supple and your muscles strong.
8. Bloating and/or Constipation
Bloating and/or constipation can represent another symptom of pregnancy at any stage. It usually occurs in the early stages, however, due to the effects progesterone has on the muscles, digestive tract, and the surrounding the womb.
These areas relax as the uterus prepares for pregnancy, causing visual symptoms and digestive issues. Maintaining as much of a healthy lifestyle as you can helps prevent it: make sure you’re eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, keeping active, and drinking enough water.
9. Frequent Urination
You’ll likely discover that you’re spending more time in the bathroom than you were before.
Frequent urination happens due to an increase in blood volume, which then results in your kidneys needing to process more fluid. Avoiding caffeine can help prevent this problem, but even then, you’ll probably still experience it to some degree.
10. Changes in Your Mood
It’s natural to feel like your mood is all over the place when you’re pregnant; some days you’ll be elated at the prospect of having a child, while other times, you might find the process unbearable. You also might notice that you’re quicker to irritate than usual, or get upset very easily.
Hormonal changes affect the way your brain works when you’re pregnant, so know that this is all very normal. Just do your best to get plenty of sleep and reach out to your loved ones for support.
Wrapping Up
Pregnancy is truly a roller coaster. There will be many ups and downs as you progress through each trimester, and you can’t really predict how it’ll affect you.
One thing you can say with certainty, though, is that it’ll all have been worth it in the end. Once you’re holding your newborn baby in your arms, none of the tears, pain, or unpleasant symptoms will matter anymore.
Talk with your doctor throughout the process to make sure you’re managing any symptoms properly, and you’ll get through it!
Leave a Reply