The pot of gold at the end of the pregnancy rainbow is meeting your new baby–congratulations! But in reality, even though you may experience a joyful pregnancy glow, most mothers wouldn’t actually describe pregnancy as a “rainbow.” For many, it’s a little more arduous. Here are 10 common not-so-fun pregnancy side effects that many expecting mothers experience at some point.
1. Morning Sickness
You may have heard by now that “morning sickness” is an unfortunate misnomer. Pregnancy-related nausea can actually last all day, and while it’s most often concentrated in the first trimester of pregnancy it can also last all nine months! As if that isn’t enough, some women experience morning sickness so severe that it can require medical treatment. This is known as HG, hyperemesis gravidarum. This only affects about 1% of pregnant women, so thankfully you have a good chance of escaping this fate.
2. Indigestion and heartburn
Indigestion can be blamed on hormones and your changing anatomy. Some of your ligaments and muscles relax during pregnancy, including one that controls your esophagus. As it relaxes, you’re more likely to get heartburn. Plus, your growing baby is actually pushing on your stomach, making everything in there come up a little more often than it should! Yuck! Avoid spicy and acidic foods, and if things get really bad, talk to your doctor. There are some indigestion medications you should avoid while pregnant, but others may be safe for you to take.
3. Constipation
Progesterone is a key pregnancy hormone, and it’s also the evil culprit of pregnancy-related constipation. Many women find the constipation they experience when they’re expecting is some of the worst and longest lasting they ever have. Your inability to go #2 plus your increased ability to go #1 (see #9 on this list) means you’ll end up in the bathroom more than you’d like. It’s beneficial for so many reasons, but eating healthy and drinking lots of water should help keep things moving.
4. Gas & Bloating
You can thank your increase of progesterone for more great pregnancy side effects… gas and bloating which can go hand-in-hand with constipation. Again, you’ll want to maintain your fluid intake. If your tummy is feeling particularly rough, try to avoid giving in to some of those super salty or sweet pregnancy cravings. Potato chips are definitely more fun, but high-fiber salads equal relief!
5. Insomnia
Unfortunately, there are lots of reasons one might not sleep well during pregnancy. Some expecting mamas experience insomnia simply due to the anxiety of imminently growing your family. As your head hits the pillow, your mind may start to swim with diaper brands, feeding techniques, and baby names. Or you may be interrupted by constant trips to the bathroom. Other women need to sleep tilted upwards to alleviate awful indigestion (see #2 on the list).
Finally, you’re advised to avoid sleeping on your back while pregnant, so if this is your normal sleeping position, you may find it challenging to suddenly change. These are just a few examples, and while you can alleviate some of these causes a bit, there’s a good chance you’ll still experience some sleepless nights while you’re expecting.
6. Breast Changes
An early sign of pregnancy is breast tenderness. As your gestation progresses you may notice your breasts swelling and even your nipples darkening. Your “ladies” are simply getting ready to breastfeed your little one, if that’s the feeding path you’re choosing. Many women experience such a shift in breast size that they have to get new bras during pregnancy. Not only will you have to get some maternity clothes, but you may have to add in new undergarments, too!
7. Edema
Edema basically means your extremities swell due to fluid retention. Yes, you may turn into the Michelin Man as you get closer to your due date. Beware, though: an excess of swelling could be a sign of preeclampsia. This is a more serious condition that you will definitely want your healthcare professional to promptly review.
8. Difficulty Moving
Standing up with a bowling ball around your midsection isn’t easy. As you get closer and closer to your due date, you’ll probably start to moan and groan a little more when moving around. You may even need some assistance doing simple tasks like getting out of a lower car or tying your shoes. Just remember to keep movement simple and easy at later stages of pregnancy, and don’t hesitate to ask for help!
9. Frequent Urination
So you’re drinking lots of water to stave off constipation, and that just leads to–you guessed it–very frequent trips to the bathroom. Pregnancy already causes more frequent peeing, and if you’re upping your fluid intake that’s exacerbated. Later into your third trimester, your baby and uterus are actually pressing down on your bladder. There’s less room in there, so your bladder can’t hold as much. You’ll quickly start to plan your outings around bathroom availability, and unfortunately there isn’t much you can do to alleviate it.
10. Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids can be one of the worst side effects of pregnancy, but they’re also one of the least discussed. If your constipation gets bad enough, it often results in painful, itchy hemorrhoids. Straining and pushing more on the toilet can lead to these swollen veins in and around your anus.
While most of the side effects of pregnancy clear up once you have that beautiful baby in your arms, an unfortunate fact about hemorrhoids is that labor can actually worsen them. Guess what you’ll most likely be doing during labor? Straining and pushing. Good news is that there is something you can do to lessen your chances of either developing or worsening hemorrhoids during childbirth. Ask your doctor if Labor Guard is available in your area.
The road to meeting your little one may be long, hard, and full of heartburn and bathroom breaks. Pregnancy symptoms can be difficult to bear, but remember the amazing changes your body is undergoing to create a new life. And if things get too uncomfortable, don’t forget that you’re not alone. Talk to your doctor about ways to manage your symptoms and side effects so that you can focus more on preparing for your new addition!
