As a stay at home dad, and been through the pregnancy of my two children, I have witnessed the most annoying pregnancy symptoms you might never have heard before. Pregnancy always reveals itself in the same manner. It is hard to miss the classic signs of pregnancy. Even other people can tell someone is pregnant by just observing their body and behaviour. It is always as clear as day for most people. The most obvious signs will always include missing your monthly menstrual period, tender breasts, nausea and bodily weakness. These are the most common symptoms that a pregnant person knows to expect.
It does not always stop at only these symptoms, though. Other symptoms are as wild as your imagination. They are very different from these classic first signs. It could include migraines, mucus discharge, swollen feet and such other weird things. There is nothing that can be ruled out.
Even with all the discomfort that comes with pregnancy, it is still considered a huge blessing by most people. It is, without a doubt, a life-changing experience for everyone that experiences it. Pregnancy has its challenges that are not emphasized enough. It is as though people choose to ignore the difficulties that and discomfort that comes with pregnancy. The weird symptoms are downplayed even though they can be scary to a large extent.
Anyone that has ever been pregnant or has ever cared for or been around a pregnant woman would tell you that pregnancy is not the very wonderful experience that it is said to be. There are times the symptoms can be so overwhelming. It can be a trying time for most soon-to-be moms. The worst part is that others do not seem to know how hard it could be. They just admire the baby bump and tell the soon-to-be mom how lucky they are.
No one really understands how much their feet hurt. No one really knows how large the feet get and how nothing fits anymore, so you have to wear large-sized flip flops even though it is not summer. Mouths would be left agape when they realize that you now sweat too much, so you have to stuff tissue in your armpit to absorb it. If people knew how much symptoms change a woman’s body, they would realize that it is not always as pretty as they make it out to be.
If you have been waiting to exhale, then you will have to hold your breath a little longer because there are more symptoms that are yet to be mentioned that are as weird as weird can be. These symptoms of pregnancy are not just weird, but they are also gross.
SOME OF THE WEIRD PREGNANCY SYMPTOMS CAN INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING
LARGE FEET
The abdomen is not the only part of the body that gets bigger during pregnancy. Almost every aspect of the body gets bigger, all thanks to the weight gain. The gaining of weight increases the pressure on the feet, and the body tries to adjust by releasing hormones that allow the bones on the feet to spread and the loosening of the ligaments on the feet.
The adjustment simply translates to larger feet; this can freak the pregnant person out, but it is just a symptom. Most pregnant women are always advised to put on supportive shoes to make it difficult for your feet to spread and for the ligaments to loosen. So it is best to shop for new shoes that hold the feet together instead of those flats that will encourage feet spreading.
Some women have said that the feet do not get back to its original size. So unless you don’t mind having very large feet, then you must wear good shoes.
BLEEDING GUMS AND BLEEDING NOSE
Your blood vessels have more work cut out for them as there is extra blood coursing through the body. The blood vessels can break or rupture because of this extra pressure. Pregnancy can make you experience bleeding gums or bleeding nose even though you did not experience these things before now. It does not spare the gum or teeth. This is always noticed during those times you wash and brush your mouth. The teeth and gums become more sensitive, which will often result in bleeding and swelling or inflammation.
This symptom is called pregnancy gingivitis. It is not a severe problem, and it often stops after pregnancy. All that needs to be done is to stay on good hygiene. You might even consider seeing the dentist to make sure that your dental health is just right. You can also help yourself by thoroughly rinsing the mouth with warm sea-salted water.
CHANGES IN VISION & DRY EYES
A lot of changes occur in the body during pregnancy. These changes can manifest in a lot of ways, and one of such is experiencing dry eyes. Yes, the eyesight can be affected during pregnancy, and vision can be changed. The eyes can become really dry, itchy and uncomfortable. It could make it hard for the pregnant woman to see clearly, and using aids and accessories such as contact lenses can cause unimaginable pains.
Most soon-to-be mothers think they are struggling with significant eye defects that might require surgery and all but right after the pregnancy, things just go back to normal. Being that it’s the eyes and sight – it’s quite easy to start to panic or worry unnecessarily.
MORE HAIRS
Everyone prays to have so much hair on their head. Pregnancy answers this prayer in abundance. You get more hair on the head and every other part of the body as well. This is one pregnancy symptom most people do not see coming. They think something is wrong with them pathologically, but it’s just the life growing within you.
Hair grows faster when you are pregnant because a lot of hormones are secreted into the body, and one of such hormones is the androgen hormone that promotes hair growth. It is as though shaving or tweezing cannot save you from the abundant hair on your body. If you must maintain a hairless body, then you have your work cut out for you. However, you must be careful as your body is softer and sensitive during pregnancy.
SWEATINESS AND PERSPIRATION
Annoying right? Yes, this can be one of the most uncomfortable symptoms. It is worse when it comes with the extra hair. Imagine having so much hair and having to sweat with it. Fewer things are more uncomfortable. Pregnancy can make you sweat like crazy.
There is increased body temperature which leads to the sweating. There are increased blood flow and level of hormones which make the body’s temperature to become high. The consequence is so much sweating. The reason for the sweating is the body’s attempt to regulate body temperature. You are sweating so much because the body is trying to cool off.
It is clearly not the most enjoyable symptom as you can be irritable, but the good news is that things can get back to normal when you have had your baby or babies.
PALPITATIONS OF THE HEART
If there is additional blood flowing through the body, then it goes without saying that there would be fast heartbeats and palpitations. To maintain a steady supply of blood in your body, the heart has to work a double shift. It needs to beat faster to keep up. This symptom can have you think that something has gone wrong, but it is not always a cause for an alarm. This is often resolved by laying down and resting.
It is advised to see the doctor if you feel bothered by this increased palpitation of the heart. You will often be reassured that nothing is wrong with you. However, it is always best to check with your physician if you feel something is wrong, or if you’re overly concerned for any.
SWOLLEN AND SORE VAGINA
The extra blood gets everywhere, and the vagina is not spared. The vagina receives additionally sensitive and even sore. It does not get better as the pregnancy progresses. The baby gains more weight which in turn bears down on the vagina. It is uncomfortable, but when you find the right sleeping position, you will be considerably fine.
MELASMA OR CHLOASMA
Do you think it does not get any weirder? Well, it can and here is one; dark patches begin to appear on the face and necks during pregnancy. This altered pigmentation occurs when there is increased hormonal secretion. Typically, these patches go away when the baby is delivered, but in other cases, these patches stay for good. Yikes!
Don’t sweat it, though. A dermatologist can help you to recover and treat these patches.
SKIN CHANGES
If only the dark patches were where it ended, then it would be a bit bearable. But there can be other skin changes that can include stretch marks and acne. The skin can get itchy and dry even.
Luckily, these changes can be reverted after you have had your baby.
JOINT PAIN
The same relaxing that causes the bones in your feet to spread also works in other parts of the boy during pregnancy. This hormone is secreted by the placenta and ovaries to aid the relaxation and loosening of the pelvic floor muscles to enable an easier birth of your baby. The hormone does not stop here; it also affects other bones and ligaments.
You will experience joint pain and lower back pain because of relaxing. It is why women walk funnily toward the end of the pregnancy. You can get massages or schedule an appointment with a chiropractor when the pain begins to get in the way.
These symptoms may be annoying and irritating, but they are hardly any reason to worry. They are also mercifully short-lived.
