Just a pregnancy heads-up: if you are expecting, your body will change! Of course, you know that. But there are some things people don’t always tell you about pregnancy, either because they’re strange, unexpected, silly, or maybe even embarrassing to some.
While there’s nothing to be ashamed about in pregnancy—because honestly having a child is one of the coolest things in the world!—people don’t always share the nitty gritty details.
But, it’s important to know what to expect when expecting! Here are a few things to look out and prepare for.
You’ll Have Swollen Feet and Ankles
One of the first things you notice when pregnant is the act of walking becomes something of an act. Like a newborn calf, you will wobble to the fridge, and your feet will suffer. Swollen ankles when pregnant are pretty standard. This happens because the womb puts pressure on your lower body’s blood circulation. Seeing a podiatrist when pregnant can help relieve some of the symptoms. If you can’t make it out, foot exercises will reduce cramps and improve blood flow.
You’ll Have More Tender Breasts
As if balloon ankles and feet aren’t funny enough, the Gods of Fate rolled the dice on the upper part of your body, too. As your system shifts with the hormones you need for growing a baby, your chest becomes pretty tender (and not in a good way)!
Your breasts may become bigger because of milk production, and this causes them to rub on the inside of your clothing. This is on top of them being already more sensitive than usual. Thankfully, this usually only lasts a few weeks.
You’ll Need To Pee A Lot More Than Usual
You probably already know that you’ll need to pee a lot more than usual when you’re pregnant. You may even pee when you really don’t want to.
Don’t worry, though! About 33% of women experience incontinence when expecting. This happens because your body increases how much blood it has. As a result, the kidneys end up producing a lot more liquid. Try to establish a rhythm with your body after drinking fluids to help regulate, and don’t be afraid to make more frequent pit-stops.
You’ll Feel New (And Sometimes Not Great) Sensations
If you’ve ever suffered from heartburn, you’ll be able to relate to this (in a not-so-good way). Ugh, gotta love pregnancy hormones!
When you’re pregnant, you’ll often feel more significant rises in temperature as well as emotions (think menopause hot flashes + PMS symptoms. Yikes!). Your changing hormones can also cause your throat muscles to relax, which in turn allows excess acid to rise. This can be very painful! To try to combat the pain, try eating smaller meals, avoiding acidic foods, and try not to eat too close to bedtime.
You’ll Experience New Bathroom *Issues*
Like an evil pair of villains, your uterus and the hormone progesterone seem to work together to slow the movement of your bowels. When this happens, waste cannot travel as efficiently as it should. Blockages then occur, and unfortunately, you may struggle to poop.
Eating a fiber-rich diet will help with blockages, and try to drink plenty of water! Prune juice can also help. Avoid your usual caffeine drinks such as tea, coffee, and cola if you are suffering.
All in all, there are some definite unexpected *challenges* and things people don’t always tell you about pregnancy. But as long as you’re prepared, you’ll be able to overcome them!
Remember that this is a joyous time, and even with a few setbacks along the way, the positives of the experience will greatly outweigh the negatives. One day at a time, mama!
Featured Image Credit: Daniel Reche