Early pregnancy manifestations are somehow similar to premenstrual symptoms. But don’t worry, pregnancy will expose itself as it comes with a series of complaints. Missed periods, food cravings, nausea, and vomiting are just the headlines. A hormonal storm strikes your body, generating some irrational effects that not everybody links to pregnancy. These hormones mainly include estrogen and progesterone. Here are seven pregnancy symptoms hiding in the shadows.
1. Stronger sense of smell:
Congratulations! Now you have a superpower. Two-thirds of pregnant women experience hyperosmia. It is a logical symptom considering the elevated estrogen level. Wistfully, this may mean abandoning your favorite food. The increased sensitivity to smells may trigger nausea or a worse scenario of morning sickness. Despite the suffering, it is a defensive mechanism for the baby. The accentuated sense of smell will warn you if something is off with food to avoid poisoning.
2. Nose and gum bleed:
During pregnancy, a dramatic increase in blood flow takes place. The increased flow to the delicate tissues of the gums and nose may provoke bleeding. Nosebleeds are usually manageable at home. Seek immediate medical attention if the nose bleed persists longer than 10-15 minutes.
Spontaneous gum bleeding or bleeding following regular oral hygiene measures may be due to the increased hormonal levels combined with high blood flow. Carrying on with your routine oral hygiene measures aligned with regular visits to your dentist should spare you of any complications.
3. Indigestion:
The rise in progesterone hormone level will cause relaxation of the bowel muscle allowing more nutrient absorption. Combined with prenatal vitamins (especially iron) plus bowel crowding (because of baby growth), this will leave you with unpleasant consequences. These include constipation, bloating, heartburn, burping, and farting.
You may try eating small, frequent meals with a special presentation of fiber-rich food to ease indigestion. Drinking plenty of fluids may also be beneficial. If this fails to ease your symptoms, consult your physician about using safe antacids and laxatives if possible.
4. Crazy dreams:
Despite your excitement about pregnancy, you may have deep worries. Is my baby healthy? What kind of mother will I be? Can I handle this colossal responsibility? These persistent types of questions running into your head generate fear and anxiety. Accordingly, the subconscious tries to process these feelings as weird dreams. Talking about those fears with members of your support system will help ease this burden over your shoulders.
5. Frequent urination and leaking urine:
Once pregnant, specific hormones are released to relax the pelvic muscles as a preface for delivery. With pregnancy progression, the baby will add weight to the urinary bladder. Both factors will lead to frequent urination or leaking urine. Kegel exercises are a favorable solution to strengthen those pelvic muscles. Consider a bathroom trip every one or two hours to avoid a full bladder. If this progress to pain or bleeding during urination, seek medical advice to rule out urinary tract infection.
6. Mood swings:
Welcome on board the roller coaster of emotions. Once again, hormones are guilty if you are being emotional or crying for ridiculous reasons. It’s an early pregnancy sign that will settle within a few weeks. Always find new ways to relax and seek help whenever it is needed. Reading about parenthood tips on various health and wellness portals such as https://everhealthcareth.com/ can do wonders to help you ease your anxiety.
7. Linea nigra:
It is a fade line extending from the belly button downward. Pregnancy may induce more melanin production. Consequently, you will notice the darkening of the linea nigra to be more accentuated. Also, multiple pigmentations may appear as melasma (face spots), known as pregnancy masks, alongside a darker nipple color. These conditions disappear after delivery. No special attention is required.
Pregnancy is an exceptional experience. The body works twice as hard to support the baby’s growth. Considering the absence of any signs of danger, hang in there and enjoy the ride. The result is worth it when you hold your baby.
Photo by Garon Piceli