Being pregnant is wonderful, but it can also come with some less pleasant physical symptoms that may even embarrass you at times. 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 talk about the less frequently mentioned aspects of pregnancy and to let you be completely yourself—with both the beautiful and the not-so-beautiful sides. That’s why we’ve summarized the biggest pregnancy taboos in this article. But don’t worry: with a little humor, you can get through emotional outbursts and digestive issues with ease. :)
1. Compression stockings will be your best friend
You thought only your belly would grow during pregnancy? Unfortunately, we have to disappoint you: pregnancy can also cause your legs, arms, and feet to swell. Your feet, in particular, can sometimes grow by one or two shoe sizes—especially in the last trimester—and may even stay that size after pregnancy. Fortunately, compression stockings can help prevent more unpleasant issues, such as thrombosis.
2. Things can sometimes go wrong.
Honestly, it’s no wonder you may find it increasingly difficult to maintain full bladder control. After all, pressure on your bladder increases as your baby grows, and your pelvic floor muscles relax in preparation for birth. So when you sneeze, cough, or laugh heartily, something might end up in your pants. Take comfort in the fact that most expectant mothers are familiar with this problem.
3. You become acquainted 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 it 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 treated effectively with special ointments, and you’ll often get rid of them quickly. Your doctor can inform you about the available treatment options.
4. You’re close to tears
Even if you’re usually a calm person, pregnancy hormones can temporarily turn you into an emotional powder keg. During sad movies, at the sight of babies, or when your favorite yogurt is sold out, one or two tears may come especially quickly now.
5. Pregnancy-related dementia is not just a myth
You forget appointments or suddenly find your long-lost keys in the kitchen cabinet.
At the latest, when these kinds of moments make you briefly doubt your sanity, it’s clear there’s some truth to forgetfulness and confusion during pregnancy. Researchers suspect that, due to the hormones oxytocin and prolactin, expectant mothers’ focus is already so strongly directed toward the baby that other things quickly become secondary.
Increasing sleep deprivation likely also contributes to this temporary forgetfulness.
6. Your digestion does whatever it wants
As your baby grows, the space for your intestines becomes increasingly limited. Sometimes a little air needs to escape, and one or two farts slip out—whether you want them to or not. The hormone progesterone, on the other hand, slows digestion so that more nutrients from your food can be absorbed for your baby. Drinking plenty of fluids and eating high-fiber foods can help keep things moving.
7. Your baby bump becomes public property
Whether it’s your curious neighbor, your friends, or strangers in the supermarket, the bigger your bump gets, the more people want to stroke it. Often it’s unsolicited—or paired 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 pregnancy glow, you may develop hair in areas that were previously silky smooth, skin that feels like puberty all over again, and perhaps a few extra 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 birth, once your hormones have stabilized again, they usually disappear on their own.
9. You don’t experience sleep deprivation only after birth
It’s clear that your baby may keep you awake for a night or two after birth. After a sleepless night—when someone regularly kicked you in the belly and you dealt with back pain and a full bladder—you can only offer a tired, honest smile at the well-meaning advice to sleep as much as possible before the birth.
This list may seem long at first, and the side effects may feel numerous. However, it’s also possible that none of these things will happen to you. Above all, it’s meant to show you that most expectant mothers experience similar things. Losing your keys or accidentally passing gas in front of everyone doesn’t have to be embarrassing—try to see it with humor. Your physical changes and some of the more uncomfortable side effects are completely normal and simply show that your body is adjusting to your baby.
