Let’s get real. There are some yucky Pregnancy Facts Nobody Tells You! You often hear pregnancy referred to as “a magical time” – and it totally is!
What you might not know, however, is that there are some uncomfortable, unpleasant, and downright nasty details most women face during pregnancy that is talked about less often. Here’s the lowdown on what you can expect!
Pregnancy Facts Nobody Tells You
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You’ll Smell Everything
One of the earliest signs of pregnancy is a heightened sense of smell. You can thank your hormones (estrogen in particular) for that. Many women would agree that it’s more of a curse than a blessing since your nasal receptors don’t differentiate between pleasant and unpleasant smells. So body odor, bad breath, and fish sandwiches might make you nauseous even if these things didn’t bother you very much before.
You’ll Produce More Mucus… Of All Kinds
Estrogen strikes again, causing your body to produce more mucus of all kinds. You may experience a runny nose throughout your pregnancy as well as an increased amount of vaginal discharge. As long as all this extra goo is thick (not watery), white or clear, and doesn’t smell super funky, it’s probably nothing to worry about. Wearing a pantiliner and carrying tissues can make you more comfortable. Yep, this is one of the more unpleasant and annoying pregnancy facts people don’t talk about.
You May Pee Your Pants
Be careful when you laugh or sneeze – increased pressure on your pelvic floor makes it a little bit harder to control your urine flow. This is especially true for women who have had multiple pregnancies! If you find this to be an ongoing problem, try doing kegel exercises to strengthen those muscles and consider wearing a pantiliner to stay dry.
You’ll Cry, You’ll Weep, You’ll Freak Out
Those pesky hormones can also cause many women to feel incredibly moody during pregnancy. One moment you might find yourself staring lovingly at your partner, for example, while in the next you’re ready to strangle them. Crying during a commercial? Totally normal. Increased bouts of road rage? Again, very typical during pregnancy. Try to be patient with yourself, apologize when you lose your cool, and practice stress relieving self-care on the regular.
Strangers May Get Too Close
For some reason, many people feel completely comfortable touching pregnant tummies and offering unsolicited parenting advice to visibly pregnant women. While it’s probably well intentioned, it can definitely become irritating. Prepare for this strange phenomenon by checking out these moms’ most bizarre stories and funny ways to deal with unwanted closeness. This is one of those pregnancy facts that some don’t mind, but others really hate. So, be prepared to back away from strangers on a regular basis.
Peeing Will Become A Full-Time Job
As the baby grows, he or she can start crowding your bladder, making you feel like you have to go all the time! It’s so important to stay hydrated, especially while you are pregnant, so there’s not much to do about this except avoid the more diuretic drinks like coffee and tea.
Pro Tip: Lean forward while using the bathroom to help empty your bladder.
Pooping… Not So Much
On the other hand, constipation can definitely be an issue during pregnancy. The hormone progesterone causes this by relaxing the muscles in your body. While it makes you more flexible in preparation for labor, it also causes food to pass through your digestive tract much more slowly. Teas and stool softeners are a great option and may make it easier to manage. (Just check in with your doctor or midwife about safety in using over the counter supplements.)
And for those uncomfortable hemorrhoids? I highly recommend this bottom balm. It did the trick for me better than anything else I tried.
Pimples and Hair And Sweat, Oh My
All the problems you thought you left behind in puberty come back with a vengeance during pregnancy. Your hormones cause extra body hair to grow, more active sweat glands, and sometimes even acne! Oh my goodness, the sweating. I constantly felt hot, especially throughout the summer.
The good news is that this is mainly a first-trimester problem for women who experience it, and hormones are usually more leveled out during the second and third. This happens to be a more well-known pregnancy facts issue, but it still bears repeating.
Sure, these embarrassing side effects of pregnancy are unpleasant. Don’t worry – the end result is beyond worth it, as you’ll find out when you meet your little one for the first time. Knowing just a few more pregnancy facts as you enter this amazing time in your life is a must!
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