10 Most Embarrassing Symptoms During Pregnancy
Pregnancy is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for every woman, and most people expect certain symptoms to walk hand in hand with it. When a woman becomes pregnant, her body undergoes several changes, the majority of which are unexpected- changes like hair growth on the abdomen, belching and constipation, increased vaginal discharge, and hemorrhoids, to mention a few. Many soon-to-be mothers anticipate nausea, vomiting, and even backaches.
Pregnancy, on the other hand, is known to cause certain unusual symptoms that you may be completely unaware of, physical changes that new parents may experience but do not often share. Here are a few pregnancy symptoms you may never have expected to hear before.
1. Nasal Stuffiness and Nose Bleeds
You would be thinking about how your nose is affected when it is so far away from your uterus. However, nose bleeds and stuffiness are frequent during pregnancy due to an increase in blood flow via your nose. Nosebleeds affect 20.3 percent of pregnant women compared to 6.2 percent of non-pregnant adults.
Natural methods can be used to easily relieve the symptoms, such as utilizing a humidifier or a Neti pot to flush your nasal passages with salt water. If that does not work for you, consult a doctor or a midwife about your other options. You can be quite certain that, aside from being inconvenient, nosebleeds and stuffiness are rarely severe during pregnancy.
2. Urinary incontinence
You would have heard of pregnant ladies sneezing and accidentally emptying their bladders while standing among acquaintances or other people they know. The majority of pregnant women who experience incontinence (involuntary pee leakage due to a startling cough, sneeze, or chuckle) only lose a few drops of urine. Even so, it can be very humiliating.
3. Vaginal Discharge
It is expected for your periods to stop when you are pregnant because you are no longer ovulating. However, an increase in vaginal discharge is unlikely (also known as leukorrhea). Colorless or white discharge that is non-irritating and odorless is usual.
It is pretty like the sensation you get after you ovulate. You can simply wear a pantyliner if it bothers you.
The amount of vaginal discharge will only keep on increasing till your baby is born. If there is ever a change in color or odor, make sure to notify your doctor or your midwife.
4. Hair growth on the Face
Hormones cause hair to grow in a lot of inconvenient areas during your pregnancy. Most of the pregnant ladies out there are overjoyed to find that they will soon have a lovely mane of hair. However, once we get to the breasts, abdomen, and face, the joy quickly turns to fear.
The safest methods for hair removal during pregnancy include waxing or tweezing.
5. Insomnia
You are aware that pregnancy takes up all your energy, especially during the first and third trimesters. However, some women endure pregnancy sleeplessness, whether or not they are tired.
Insomnia is quite common, and it can even indicate that you are expecting a baby. Insomnia can show itself by having difficulties in falling asleep or the inability to return to sleep after being awakened (such as by all those nighttime trips to the bathroom).
Try to exercise, reduce your intake of caffeine, and relaxation are the pillars of non-medicinal insomnia relief. Remember that insomnia is a condition that comes and goes. It is quite possible that you will notice it more in the first and third trimesters, or that you will not notice it at all. Both extremes are considered typical.
6. Having trouble with certain odors
During pregnancy, some women have a greater sense of smell. Strong food aromas, such as poultry or seafood, cause many people to develop an aversion to them. Only a small number of women begin to detect their scent (they can smell themselves vaginally), which can be a little too humiliating.
7. Hemorrhoids
If you ask any new parent about hemorrhoids, they will most certainly have an unpleasant story to tell you if they choose to share it.
When a lady becomes pregnant, hemorrhoids are a certain conclusion. They are frequently associated with constipation and the straining that occurs because of attempting to pass gas. Constipation is one of the most frequent pregnancy problems, as we all know.
8. Acne
Because of all the extra hormones that are to be running through your system, pimples and ugly outbreaks are typical, especially during the first trimester. While some acne drugs, such as Retin-A, are not recommended during pregnancy, other therapies are.
9. Gastrointestinal Distress (Gas & Burping)
It is true that burping is another indication of pregnancy. Pregnancy hormones can push your gastrointestinal tract into overdrive, resulting in symptoms such as belching, burping, and gas. Avoid irritating foods and beverages, such as carbonated beverages, broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, and cabbage (are examples of some triggering vegetables), dairy, whole grain, spicy food, etc.
Holding it in might occur be quite painful. However, if you must deal with burping or gas frequently, you may feel humiliated. So, having a strategy is an excellent idea. Some people go to the bathroom for a while, while others figure out which foods aggravate their symptoms and attempt to avoid them.
Ever wondered what to Do If You Have Painful Gas During Your Pregnancy?
- Begin by staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
Your best bet is to drink water. Aim for eight to ten (8-ounce) glasses of water each day, although other fluids are also okay. If you have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and your gas is causing pain or significant bloating, make sure any juice you drink is low in FODMAPs, which are sugars that promote gas and bloating. Low-FODMAP juices include cranberry, grape, pineapple, and orange juice.
- Get up and about.
Exercise and physical activity should be a part of your everyday routine. If you do not have time to go to the gym, take a daily walk. Aim for at least 30 minutes of walking or exercise.
Not only does exercise keep you physically and emotionally well, However, it can also aid in better digestion and avoid constipation.
Before beginning any workout program while pregnant, make sure to check with your physician.
- Experiment with your diet
Pregnant women are recommended to remove or get rid of food triggers from their diet one at a time until their gas symptoms subside. While on any type of elimination diet, you must eat a well-balanced diet. Because most pregnancies necessitate weight growth, it is critical to avoid restricted diets. You will only be removing meals that are causing the problem this way. Gas-producing foods include Brussels sprouts, cabbage, broccoli, wheat, and potatoes.
- Get plenty of fiber
Many meals that cause gas in the short term can aid in constipation management. It is because, fiber carries water into the intestines, softening the stool and making it easier to pass. To aid with gas issues, try to include 25 to 30 grams of high fiber foods in your diet. Many fruits, such as prunes, figs, and bananas, as well as vegetables and whole grains like oats and flax meal, are high in fiber.
- Request for more information about fiber supplements.
Ask your doctor if a fiber supplement, such as psyllium (Metamucil), methylcellulose (Citrucel), or polyethylene glycol 3350 (MiraLAX), could be beneficial to you if you do not like high fiber foods or want a quick and easy alternative. Metamucil, Citrucel, and MiraLAX are all easily available for purchase online.
- Also, go for stool softeners
Docusate (Colace) is a light stool softener that moistens the stool, making transit simpler and more regular. Docusate should only be used if you have constipation or too much gas. It is recommended that pregnant women take 50 to 100 mg of docusate twice a day for the length of their pregnancy. Any stimulant laxatives, such as sennosides (Ex-Lax, Senokot), should be avoided during pregnancy because they can create difficulties.
- When in doubt, just take a deep breath.
Anxiety and stress can increase the quantity of air you ingest, causing upper abdominal gas, bloating, and burping. Attempt to reduce as much stress as possible from your life. Here are some suggestions:
- You can try to assign your responsibilities to someone else or accept that they may not be completed on time or at all and that is perfectly fine.
- You can look into a prenatal spa day or find some quiet time during the day to take some deep breaths and relax.
- Do whatever it takes to maintain your composure and relax.
10. Problems with Intimacy
Weight gain and other physical changes can make you undesirable in the eyes of your lover. You may feel insecure. Do not let this lead you to issues with communication and intimacy. Some people are uncomfortable being physically intimate. Everything about you is going to change. There is a chance that your vulva will swell. These are going to be uneasy and do not think they are attractive or easy. You just need to accept these changes and make sure to talk to somebody if you are feeling off.