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1st trimester

03rd Jul 2023

Soon-to-be parents reveal their worst pregnancy symptoms

Sophie Collins

pregnancy

What was your worst pregnancy symptom?

During early pregnancy, morning (or all day) sickness can kick in and for an unlucky few, it can last weeks.

Others struggle with lightheadedness as their body adjusts to growing their little one.

The severity of side effects varies from person to person and while some mums experience a very easy pregnancy, others have major hurdles they have to overcome.

A parenting forum put the question out to mums everywhere, so we have compiled the most common answers to reassure anyone struggling that they’re not alone.

pregnancy

One symptom that many mums were unanimous on was heartburn. It’s very common and is caused by a number of things according to the NHS, such as:

  • hormonal changes
  • the growing baby pressing on your stomach
  • the muscles between your stomach and gullet relaxing, allowing stomach acid to come back up

Morning sickness was another common answer to the thread with one mum writing; “Definitely morning sickness. Every half an hour all day every day and night for 3 months. I lost over 30 pounds!”

Vertigo and fainting spells were other common answers, however it’s totally normal. The NCBI says; “Vertigo in pregnant females may be associated with hormonal changes in peripheral structures and inner ear organs.”

pregnancy

Another symptom that came up several times but isn’t often talked about was carpal tunnel syndrome – which can be incredibly painful.

One mum wrote: “Carpal tunnel. Would cry all night from the aching and burning. Was miserable. And the round ligament pain. Would cringe at the thought of having to get dressed. So painful. But worth it all!”

Thewomens.org explained:”During pregnancy hormones cause you to retain fluid, they also soften the ligament that forms the roof of the tunnel.

“When this happens, the nerve running through the tunnel may become squashed which can cause symptoms like pins and needles, numbness and stiff painful hands.”

Other common answers included headaches, forgetfulness and of course needing to pee all the time.

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