9 Things about pregnancy that no one talks about

Being pregnant is wonderful, but it is also associated with some less pleasant physical symptoms that might sometimes even embarrass you. Hand on heart: You don't always shine like a queen, absentmindedly stroke your belly, and float on cloud nine. We believe it's time to also talk about the less frequently mentioned aspects of pregnancy and to be completely yourself – with the beautiful and the less beautiful sides. That's why we have summarized the biggest pregnancy taboos in this article. But don't worry: with a little humor, you can easily get through emotional outbursts and digestive issues. :)

1. Compression stockings will be your best friend

You thought that only your belly increases in size during pregnancy? Unfortunately, we have to disappoint you: also causes your legs, arms, and feet to swell. The latter can sometimes grow by one or two shoe sizes, especially in the last trimester of pregnancy – and may retain their size even after pregnancy. Fortunately, you can prevent more unpleasant conditions like thrombosis or with compression stockings.

2. Things can sometimes go wrong.

Actually, it's no wonder that you're finding it increasingly difficult to maintain full . After all, the pressure on it increases with a growing baby, and the pelvic floor muscles loosen in preparation for birth. So when you sneeze, cough, or laugh heartily, sometimes something might end up in your pants. Comfort yourself with the fact that most expectant mothers are familiar with this problem.

3. You make acquaintance with hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are vascular cushions in the area of the anal opening that can enlarge due to increased blood flow and pressure in the pelvic area during pregnancy. This is not only uncomfortable but can also cause significant pain. About 50 percent of women experience problems with these troublesome vessels during pregnancy. But don't worry: hemorrhoids can usually be effectively treated with special ointments, and you'll get rid of them quickly. Your doctor can inform you about the available treatment options.

4. You are close to tears

Even if you usually tend to be a calm person, it might be that the pregnancy hormones temporarily turn you into an emotional powder keg. During sad movies, the sight of babies, or when your favorite yogurt is sold out – one or two tears may flow especially quickly now.

5. Pregnancy-related dementia is not just a myth

You forget appointments or find your long-lost keys again in the kitchen cabinet.
At the latest, when such or similar things make you doubt your sanity temporarily, it's clear that there is some truth to forgetfulness and confusion during pregnancy. Researchers suspect that the focus of expectant mothers is already so strongly directed towards the baby due to the hormones oxytocin and prolactin during pregnancy that other things quickly become secondary.
Increasing sleep deprivation probably also contributes to the temporary forgetfulness.

6. Your digestion does whatever it wants

The space for your intestines becomes increasingly limited with a baby in your belly. Sometimes, a little air needs to escape, and one or two farts find their way out – whether you want them to or not. The hormone progesterone, on the other hand, causes a , so that more nutrients from your food can be filtered for your baby. Drinking plenty of fluids and eating high-fiber foods help to get your digestion moving.

7. Your baby bump becomes public knowledge

Whether it's your curious neighbor, your friends, or strangers in the supermarket. The bigger it gets, the more people want to stroke your baby bump. Often unsolicited or combined with well-meaning advice. Not in the mood for that? Then clearly and explicitly state where your boundary is.

8. You say hello to hair, pimples, and pigmentation spots

Instead of the famous glow during pregnancy, you may develop hair on body areas that were previously silky smooth, skin like in puberty, and perhaps a few more pigment spots. However, you don't need to worry that unwanted hair, pimples, and the like will be your constant companions from now on. After the birth, when your hormone balance has stabilized again, they will disappear on their own.

9. You don't experience sleep deprivation only after birth

That your baby will keep you awake for one or two nights after birth is clear. After a sleepless night, during which someone regularly kicked you in the belly and you felt back pain and a full bladder, you can only honestly smile tiredly at the well-meaning advice to sleep as much as possible before birth.

This list may seem long at first and the side effects numerous. However, it is also possible that none of these things will happen to you. Mainly, it is meant to show you that most expectant mothers are experiencing similar things as you. Losing your keys or accidentally passing gas in front of everyone doesn't have to be embarrassing. Just try to see it with humor. Your physical changes and some of the more uncomfortable side effects are completely normal and simply indicate that your body is adjusting to your baby.