Pregnant things to know

10 Things That Might Surprise You About Being Pregnant (for Parents)

Pregnancy info is everywhere. At your first prenatal visit, your doctor will likely give you armfuls of pamphlets that cover every test and trimester.

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

1. The Nesting Instinct

Many pregnant women feel the nesting instinct, a powerful urge to prepare their home for the baby by cleaning and decorating.

As your due date draws closer, you may find yourself cleaning cupboards or washing walls — things you never would have imagined doing in your ninth month of pregnancy! This desire to prepare your home can be useful — you'll have fewer to-do items after the birth. But be careful not to overdo it.

2. Problems With Concentration

In the first trimester, tiredness and morning sickness can make many women feel worn out and mentally fuzzy. But even well-rested pregnant women may have trouble concentrating and periods of forgetfulness.

Thinking about the baby plays a role, as do hormonal changes. Everything — including work, bills, and doctor appointments — may seem less important than the baby and the coming birth. Making lists can help you remember dates and appointments.

3. Mood Swings

Premenstrual syndrome and pregnancy are alike in many ways. Your breasts swell and become tender, your hormones go up and down, and you may feel moody. If you have PMS, you're likely to have more severe mood swings during pregnancy. They can make you go from being happy one minute to feeling like crying the next.

Mood swings are very common during pregnancy. They tend to happen more in the first trimester and toward the end of the third trimester.

Many pregnant women have depression during pregnancy. If you have symptoms such as sleep problems, changes in eating habits, and mood swings for longer than 2 weeks, talk to your health care provider.

4. Bra Size

An increase in breast size is one of the first signs of pregnancy. Breast growth in the first trimester is due to higher levels of the hormones

estrogenand progesterone. That growth in the first trimester might not be the end, either — your breasts can continue to grow throughout your pregnancy!

Your bra size also can be affected by your ribcage. When you're pregnant, your lung capacity increases so you can take in extra oxygen, which may lead to a bigger chest size. You may need to replace your bras several times during your pregnancy.

5. Skin Changes

Do your friends say you have that pregnancy glow? It's one of many effects that can come from hormonal changes and your skin stretching.

Pregnant women have increased blood volume to provide extra blood flow to the uterus and other organs, especially the kidneys. The greater volume brings more blood to the vessels and increases oil gland secretion.

Some women develop brownish or yellowish patches called chloasma, or the "mask of pregnancy," on their faces. And some will notice a dark line on the midline of the lower abdomen, known as the linea nigra (or linea negra). They can also have hyperpigmentation (darkening of the skin) of the nipples, external genitalia, and anal region. That's because pregnancy hormones cause the body to make more pigment.

This increased pigment might not be even, so the darkened skin may appear as splotches of color. Chloasma can't be prevented, but wearing sunscreen and avoiding UV light can minimize its effects.

Acne is common during pregnancy because the skin's sebaceous glands make more oil. And moles or freckles that you had before pregnancy may get bigger and darker. Most of these skin changes should go away after you give birth.

Many pregnant women also get heat rash, caused by dampness and sweating. In general, pregnancy can be an itchy time for a woman. Skin stretching over the abdomen may cause itchiness and flaking. Your doctor can recommend creams to soothe dry or itchy skin.

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6.

Hair and Nails

Many women have changes in hair texture and growth during pregnancy. Hormones can make your hair grow faster and fall out less. But these hair changes usually aren't permanent. Many women lose some hair in the postpartum period or after they stop breastfeeding.

Some women find that they grow hair in unwanted places, such as on the face or belly or around the nipples. Changes in hair texture can make hair drier or oilier. Some women even find their hair changing color.

Nails, like hair, can change during pregnancy. Extra hormones can make them grow faster and become stronger. Some women, though, find that their nails split and break more easily during pregnancy. Like the changes in hair, nail changes aren't permanent. If your nails split and tear more easily when you're pregnant, keep them trimmed and avoid the chemicals in nail polish and nail polish remover.

7. Shoe Size

Even though you can't fit into any of your pre-pregnancy clothes, you still have your shoes, right? Maybe — but maybe not. Extra fluid in their pregnant bodies mean that many women have swollen feet and need to wear a larger shoe size. Wearing slip-on shoes in a larger size can be more comfortable, especially in the summer months.

8. Joint Mobility

During pregnancy, your body makes the hormone relaxin, which is believed to help prepare the pubic area and the cervix for the birth. Relaxin loosens the ligaments in your body, making you less stable and more at risk for injury. It's easy to overstretch or strain yourself, especially the joints in your pelvis, lower back, and knees. When exercising or lifting objects, go slowly and avoid sudden, jerking movements.

9. Varicose Veins, Hemorrhoids, and Constipation

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

avoid standing or sitting for long periods
wear loose-fitting clothing
wear support hose
raise your feet when you sit

Hemorrhoids — varicose veins in the rectum — are common during pregnancy as well. Your blood volume has increased and your uterus puts pressure on your pelvis. So the veins in your rectum may enlarge into grape-like clusters. Hemorrhoids can be very painful, and can bleed, itch, or sting, especially during or after a bowel movement (BM).

Constipation is another common pregnancy woe. It happens because pregnancy hormones slow the passing of food through the gastrointestinal tract. During the later stages of pregnancy, your uterus may push against your large intestine, making it hard for you to have a BM. And constipation can contribute to hemorrhoids because straining to go may enlarge the veins of the rectum.

The best way to deal with constipation and hemorrhoids is to prevent them. Eating a fiber-rich diet, drinking plenty of liquids daily, and exercising regularly can help keep BMs regular. Stool softeners (not laxatives) may also help. If you do have hemorrhoids, talk to your health care provider about a cream or ointment that can shrink them.

10.

Things That Come Out of Your Body During Labor

So you've survived the mood swings and the hemorrhoids, and you think your surprises are over. But the day you give birth will probably hold the biggest surprises of all.

During pregnancy, fluid surrounds your baby in the amniotic sac. This sac breaks (or "ruptures") at the start of or during labor — a moment usually referred to as your water breaking. For most women in labor, contractions start before their water breaks. Sometimes the doctor has to rupture the amniotic sac (if the cervix is already dilated).

How much water can you expect? For a full-term baby, there are about 2 to 3 cups of amniotic fluid. Some women may feel an intense urge to pee that leads to a gush of fluid when their water breaks. Others may only feel a trickling down their leg because the baby's head acts like a stopper to prevent most of the fluid from leaking out.

Amniotic fluid is generally sweet-smelling and pale or colorless. It's replaced by your body every 3 hours, so don't be surprised if you continue to leak fluid, about a cup an hour, until delivery.

Other, unexpected things may come out of your body during labor. Some women have nausea and vomiting. Others have diarrhea before or during labor, and passing gas is also common. During the pushing phase of labor, you may lose control of your bladder or bowels.

A birth plan can help communicate your wishes to your health care providers about how to handle these and other aspects of labor and delivery.

Lots of surprises are in store for you when you're pregnant — but none sweeter than the way you'll feel once your newborn is in your arms!

Sex During Pregnancy (for Parents)

If you’re pregnant, you might find that your interest in sex has decreased or increased. No matter how sexual you feel, there will be changes in your sex life. Open communication will be the key to a satisfying and safe sexual relationship during pregnancy — whether this means talking about how you feel, trying different positions, or finding other ways to be intimate.

Is Sex During Pregnancy Safe?

Sex is considered safe during all stages of a low-risk pregnancy.

Talk to your doctor, nurse-midwife, or other pregnancy health care provider if you're uncertain about whether you are considered low-risk for complications such as miscarriage or pre-term labor.

Can Sex Harm My Baby?

No. Your baby is fully protected by the amniotic sac (a thin-walled bag that holds the fetus and surrounding fluid) and the strong muscles of the uterus. There's also a thick mucus plug that seals the cervix and helps guard against infection. A penis does not have contact with the fetus during sex.

Can Intercourse or Orgasm Cause Miscarriage or Labor?

In cases of normal, low-risk pregnancies, the answer is no. The contractions that you may feel during and just after orgasm are entirely different from the contractions associated with labor. However, you should check with your health care provider to make sure that your pregnancy falls into the low-risk category. And let them know if you have severe or continued cramping after sex.

When Is Sex During Pregnancy Not Safe?

Some sexual behaviors that aren't safe for any pregnant woman:

If you have oral sex, your partner should not blow air into your vagina. Blowing air can cause an air embolism (a blockage of a blood vessel by an air bubble), which, while rare, can be potentially fatal for mother and child.
You should not have unprotected sex with a partner whose sexual history is unknown to you or who may have a sexually transmitted disease (STD), such as herpes, genital warts, chlamydia, or HIV. If you become infected, the disease may be passed to your baby, with potentially dangerous results.

If complications with your pregnancy are expected or found by your health care provider, they may advise against sexual intercourse. Talk to your health care provider if you have:

a history or threat of miscarriage
a history of pre-term labor (you've previously delivered a baby before 37 weeks) or signs indicating the risk of pre-term labor (such as premature uterine contractions)
unexplained vaginal bleeding, discharge, or cramping
leakage of amniotic fluid (the fluid that surrounds the baby)
placenta previa, a condition in which the placenta (the blood-rich structure that nourishes the baby) is down so low that it covers the cervix (the opening of the uterus)
incompetent cervix, a condition in which the cervix is weakened and dilates (opens) prematurely, raising the risk for miscarriage or premature delivery
multiple fetuses (twins, triplets, etc. )

Is it Normal for My Sex Drive to Rise or Fall During Pregnancy?

An increased interest in sex or lack of interest are both normal, as is everything in between. Many pregnant women find that things like tiredness, nausea, breast tenderness, and the increased need to pee make sex less enjoyable, especially during the first trimester. Generally, these symptoms ease during the second trimester, and some women find that their desire for sex increases. Also, the freedom from worries about birth control and a renewed closeness with their partner can make sex more fulfilling. Desire generally lowers again during the third trimester as the uterus grows even larger and the reality of what's about to happen sets in.

A partner's desire for sex is likely to increase or decrease as well. Some feel even closer to their pregnant partner and enjoy the changes in their bodies. Others may have decreased desire due to worries about the burdens of parenthood, or because of concerns about the health of both the mother and the unborn child.

Your partner might need time to get used to the idea that you’re both a sexual partner and an expectant mom. Again, good communication can be a great help in dealing with these issues.

When Should I Call the Doctor?

Call your health care provider if you're unsure whether sex is safe for you. Also, call if you notice any unusual symptoms after sex, such as pain, bleeding, or discharge, or if you have contractions that seem to continue after sex.

Reviewed by: Larissa Hirsch, MD

Date reviewed: April 2022

First pregnancy, what you need to know?

The first pregnancy in a woman's life is always an important event. Information about what to expect during this period is very easy to find. But often the sources of information are not trustworthy and offer conflicting information.

Facts that expectant mothers need to know

Pregnancy normally lasts 40-42 weeks and ends in vaginal delivery or caesarean section. This period will be divided into trimesters, the first - to 13 weeks inclusive, the second - from 14 to 27 weeks, and the third - from 28 weeks to delivery. Each trimester has its own characteristics.

The first trimester is the most unpredictable. It can pass very easily - some women do not even notice their condition. But in the first trimester, side effects of a sharp hormonal change in the body are also possible. Morning sickness, sudden bouts of weakness, low blood pressure, irritability, increased reaction to smells - all this happens due to the fact that the hormonal background changes dramatically in the body. All of these symptoms in the first trimester are normal, but they should be told to the attending physician.

In the first trimester, the laying and formation of the fetal body takes place. Most congenital pathologies are the result of violations during this period. In order not to provoke developmental anomalies, the expectant mother should avoid pathogens. Alcohol, nicotine, a range of drugs, and toxins in the water and air can adversely affect the health of the unborn child. You should also carefully approach the choice of cosmetics and hair products.

Pregnancy: first week

A woman can assume that the first week of pregnancy has begun only if she carefully prepared for the process of conception, calculated the time of ovulation, and chose the time for sexual intercourse. But even in this case, there can be no 100% certainty. For the first two or three weeks, a woman cannot independently determine whether pregnancy has occurred or not. Even if the fertilization of the egg has occurred, and the rapid process of embryo development has begun, it is still so small that it is not felt in the mother's body.

However, from the first days you can switch to a lifestyle suitable for pregnant women. It is recommended to avoid harmful foods, strong drugs, alcohol, smoking, stress; engage in gentle sports, walk in the fresh air.

In the second trimester, the fetus is almost formed and grows rapidly. At about 4.5 - 5 months, a woman begins to feel the movement of the child. At the same time, the belly appears and begins to grow. The baby acquires the ability to hear sounds, and if the mother or father is talking to him, he can move in response. The second trimester proceeds with a minimum number of complications, this is the best period for official preparation for childbirth: choosing a clinic, paperwork, settling issues with work, and so on. By the end of the second trimester, you should pack a bag for the maternity hospital, and in addition, sign up for a course for new mothers. In such courses, women are taught not only the correct behavior in childbirth, but also the handling of a newborn baby.

In the third trimester, the fetus is already formed, even with the onset of premature birth, the child can be saved. However, normal gestation up to 40-42 weeks is the best option. Due to the large and heavy belly, the expectant mother experiences inconvenience: her back may hurt, her legs may swell, and during sleep, a woman cannot calmly change her position. On the recommendation of a doctor, you can wear a bandage for pregnant women: this is a wide elastic belt that supports the stomach. The third trimester is considered the most difficult.

Whatever the course of pregnancy, it should be remembered that this is not a disease, but a natural state for a woman. Therefore, the expectant mother should lead a familiar lifestyle, excluding only that which can harm the baby. A pregnant woman can continue to work, travel, engage in her favorite hobby. This will create a good mood for the mother, and the hormones of joy, along with the bloodstream, are transmitted to the baby. The psychological comfort of the expectant mother is no less important than compliance with other recommendations.

1st, 2nd and 3rd trimester

During the period of bearing a baby, the expectant mother carefully monitors her well-being, worrying, first of all, about the health of the fetus.

Important!

To avoid groundless worries, a woman should know which symptoms are quite normal for pregnancy or, on the contrary, pose a danger to both her and the child. Acquaintance with relevant literature or conversations with specialists will be especially useful for girls who are preparing to become a mother for the first time.

A woman already has her own experience with a second pregnancy. She can compare her feelings, catch possible deviations from the norm.

Well-being during pregnancy depends on the age of the future mother, on the initial state of her health and even on the sex of the child (although the latter statement has not been scientifically proven and is in the nature of a sign). A young girl without malformations and chronic ailments will more easily endure pregnancy. And qualified specialists will help a woman with certain diseases to give birth to a healthy baby.

Despite the fact that bearing a child is a unique and highly individual process, there are a number of characteristic features in the state of health at different stages of pregnancy:

The first trimester is often accompanied by some emotional instability of the expectant mother. At the same time, her general well-being is characterized by weakness and drowsiness. A rare woman in the first trimester bypasses toxicosis: its mild degree in the form of morning sickness is a completely expected phenomenon.
The second trimester of pregnancy is considered the most comfortable and carefree. The expectant mother will soon feel the timid movements of her baby. Her appetite is noticeably improving.
Pregnancy in the third trimester, approaching its end, brings a number of physical difficulties due to a significant increase in the size of the uterus. The psychological well-being of the expectant mother is characterized by a balance of two processes - the fear of childbirth and the anticipation of the joy of the upcoming meeting with the baby.

Feeling well in the first trimester of pregnancy

Shortly after conception, a kind of revolutionary transformation of the hormonal background takes place in the body of a woman. The endocrine system of the mother tries to create the most favorable conditions for the intrauterine development of the fetus. A woman's well-being during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester, changes primarily under the influence of progesterone - the ovaries begin to actively synthesize this hormone after fertilization. Thanks to progesterone, the vessels that feed the pelvic organs expand. Thus, the flow of oxygen and nutrients to the embryo improves, and other organs of the expectant mother find themselves in a somewhat deprived position.

Important!

The redistribution of blood in a woman's body in the first trimester of pregnancy leads to a slight drop in blood pressure, which may cause increased drowsiness, absent-mindedness, fatigue and general weakness.

In the early stages of bearing a child, a woman's well-being can be overshadowed by toxicosis of varying severity - from mild nausea to persistent vomiting in response to food intake or certain odors. Experts will help to cope with malaise by recommending fractional meals and a special medical and protective regimen of the day in the first trimester. Prolonged toxicosis can cause hospitalization: it interferes with the normal absorption of food, as a result, the full supply of the baby with the necessary substances.

During pregnancy, taste preferences may change, some quirks may appear. A woman begins to feel an aversion to meat, gravitates towards salty foods and is ready to absorb chalk, tooth powder or dry pasta with pleasure. Such a perversion of taste is often explained by the development of iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy.

In the first trimester, the expectant mother notes discomfort in the mammary glands, pigmentation of the nipples, increased vaginal discharge, increased urination. These processes are physiological. But the appearance of pulling pains in the lower abdomen and blood from the genital tract are pathological symptoms. To maintain pregnancy, you should immediately seek medical help.

The well-being of the expectant mother: the second trimester

The first three dangerous (due to the relatively high risk of miscarriage) months of pregnancy have passed. The second trimester of childbearing has begun. The baby and mother are used to coexistence. Toxicosis receded, general well-being improved. The woman's tummy is noticeably rounded and clearly pleasing to the eye.

Closer to the 20th week of pregnancy, the expectant mother listens especially carefully to her well-being, waiting for the first time to feel the baby moving.

An increase in the level of estrogen and, as a result, the retention of excess fluid in the body of a pregnant woman can adversely affect the well-being in the second trimester. It is not so much the obvious swelling of the lower extremities that is dangerous, but the swelling of the placenta that is not visible to the eye, the development of which can disrupt the blood supply to the fetus. Refusal of liquid food is not the best solution to the problem. After all, water, along with foods rich in vegetable fiber, helps to avoid the development of constipation in the second trimester.

The expectant mother's appetite has noticeably improved. When catching up, do not overdo it, remember the list of prohibited foods: fast food, fatty, spicy, smoked dishes, raw eggs, sushi, moldy cheeses, carbonated drinks, coffee, alcohol. Give preference to healthy food: meat, lean fish, cereals.

The second trimester is a time of strict control over body weight. An increase of no more than 300 g is allowed weekly. In the third trimester of pregnancy, this increase should not exceed 400 g. In case of excess weight, the doctor will review the diet of a pregnant woman and prescribe fasting days.

Pregnant woman's well-being: third trimester

From the 27th obstetric week, the third trimester of childbearing begins. Pregnancy, approaching completion, introduces a number of physical inconveniences into the well-being of the expectant mother. By the end of the third trimester, the maximally enlarged uterus causes some displacement of the internal organs. The woman is worried about shortness of breath, lower back pain, frequent urination, possible constipation, varicose veins in the legs.