The female body continues to surprise us!
Pregnancy causes a lot of changes in the body, sometimes with some very unexpected or surprising side effects.
While morning sickness and fatigue are the symptoms most talked about, there are several that can catch you off guard.
Some may make you roll your eyes, some may make you laugh, and others are just good knowledge to have about pregnancy.
Your partner may believe they are experiencing symptoms of pregnancy
This is what is known as a sympathetic pregnancy (or couvade syndrome) and it isn’t recognised as a mental condition.
In a way, it’s cute that a non-pregnancy partner may take on physical symptoms of your pregnancy, but it’s also very unusual that they even can.
It is believed to include physical symptoms such as nausea, bloating, cramps, heartburn, weight gain or loss, and backaches, as well as more psychological symptoms such as depression, sleep issues, and anxiety, according to Healthline.
This phenomenon is almost always temporary and can be brought on by stress, empathy, or hormonal changes in expecting parents.
Your baby can taste flavours in the womb
Research has indicated that babies can taste strong flavours while in utero.
Flavours such as garlic can make their way through amniotic fluid, and, because babies swallow around a quart of fluid per day, the baby may be able to taste it.
Baby Centre states that your baby’s tongue starts developing when you are just four-to-five weeks pregnant.
You may develop back acne (aka ‘backne’)
Okay, so this one likely falls into the eye roll category.
Because of all of the extra hormones that surge through a pregnant body, women are susceptible to back breakouts.
According to the HSE, around half of all women will experience acne while pregnant.
This isn’t a permanent symptom and it will fade. If you’re worried, speak to your doctor about which cleansers to use and steer clear of any vitamin-A-based treatments that contain isotretinoin.
Heightened sense of smell
While being able to carry life inside of you is already considered a superpower, your sense of smell during pregnancy can also be considered one.
Some women may experience smells in a whole new way, with some medical experts putting it down to evolutionary aid that kicks in to avoid eating unsafe food.
This symptom is more likely in the first trimester and, unfortunately, means you’re more likely to detect smells that can set off nausea.
According to Baby Centre, two-thirds of pregnant women experience this condition, which is called hyperosmia.
Your heart grows in size
Figuratively and literally.
While your heart grows in love for your new arrival, it physically grows too.
When you’re pregnant, blood volume increases between 30 and 50 per cent to ensure there is a sufficient supply of oxygenated blood for your baby, according to Mayo Clinic.
To make sure the blood moves all around the body, your heart also grows bigger.
READ MORE:
- Brain fog during pregnancy: What is it and ways to make it easier
- Mum who didn’t know she was pregnant gives birth to twins
- Research shows that a baby’s immune system is stronger than we think
