18 Most Embarrassing Pregnancy Problems
The good news is that you’re pregnant. The bad news? A few uncomfortable side effects that commonly go along with pregnancy.
You know about the morning sickness, swollen ankles and the bizarre food cravings, but there are loads of other, slightly grosser and more embarrassing things that take place during your pregnancy.
Remember, in most cases it’s perfectly normal and no cause for concern, but if certain ailments persist, you should speak to your gynae.
1. Gas and burping
Hormone progesterone is your baby’s best friend but can lead to embarrassing problems for you as it relaxes your intestines and slows digestion. Coupled with increasing pressure on your abdomen, there’s plenty of places for gasses to get trapped!
Wear loose clothing, eat small meals and keep a food dairy to identify triggers.
2. Constipation
Progesterone also bungs you up, but iron supplements can make it worse.
Ask the pharmacist for a liquid iron solution, which absorbs better, and introduce liquidized soups to get things moving.
3. Linea Nigra
Your belly can resemble a globe map during pregnancy with lines, veins and skin discolourations becoming more prominent. The darkening stripe between your belly button and pelvis is called the Linea Nigra, Latin for ‘black line’, which develops due to skin pigmentation changes.
The line was always there but you probably didn’t notice it, and will fade after labour. If you feel self conscious, use tinted moisturizer or foundation to make it less visible.
4. Sweating
Excess blood flow and hormones increases body temperature and fluids.
Drink more, take lots of showers and use talc to keep sweaty areas dry.
5. Itchy or sore nipples
Underlying eczema, asthma and hay fever worsen during pregnancy and because breasts become engorged they can itch to.
Use soap substitutes and a shower cream rather than a gel as it’s more moisturizing and consider ditching the old bras for some new underwear. Breasts will grow throughout pregnancy so it’s easy to end up with a badly fitting bra, which can lead to rubbing and itching, so get regular fittings.
(Read: Pain in the lower back during Pregnancy)
6. Leaky bladder
Had some near misses on your way to the loo? It can come as quite a shock to discover a sneeze or cough can lead to an unexpected leak. Visualize your torso as a shopping bag carrying a very precious load and at the bottom is your pelvic floor. These muscles play a very important role in keeping everything in.
It’s a very big hint that it’s time to start strengthening your pelvic floor. Ensure you pull up on the correct muscles (the ones you switch on to avoid passing wind in public) and exercise.
7. Haemorrhoids
Swollen itchy or bleeding veins around the rectum occur because the veins are more relaxed.
They should go away once baby arrives but in the interim, eat high-fibre foods and lots of water and avoid standing for long periods.
8. Acne
Breakouts like a teenager? Hormone changes are to blame and in the first and second trimesters cause flare ups.
Gently massage (don’t scrub) the face daily with a face wash. Ones that contain salicylic acid are good. Use a non-comedogenic moisturizer with SPF too as these don’t clog pores and offer sun protection.
9. Strange dreams
With more blood flow to your nether regions, and raised oestrogen, lusty dreams and scary nightmares are all part of pregnancy sleep. Part of the reason is the need to wake frequently to go to the toilet, which disturbs sleep patterns.
No dream-reading is needed: enjoy the sexy dreams and ignore the not-so-nice ones, they will pass in time.
10. Increased discharge
With more blood flow in the body, especially around the cervix, vaginal discharge can also increase.
It’s all very normal, so wear cotton undies and buy panty liners and keep the area clean and dry, wiping from front to back and avoiding scented soaps. If there is blood in your discharge, it could suggest labour is imminent – and always seek advice if there is a strange smell or your discharge is green or grey.
11. Leaky breasts
Your breasts start preparing for feeding, with colostrum being produced, very early on in the pregnancy, and in some women there is leakage.
Consider this a useful trial run! It’s usually unnoticeable, but nursing pads inside your bra can make you feel more comfortable.
12. Varicose veins
With the weight of a growing baby, placenta and uterus all weighing down on your veins, and more blood circulating, valves have to work twice as hard and can swell up.
They’ll probably disappear after labour but if you have a family history try compression stockings. Get measured up as soon as you’re pregnant and keep moving as this will decrease the pressure on the valves.
(Read:Reasons of Cramping during Pregnancy)
13. Protruding belly button
An expanding uterus can push the tummy button forward, regardless of whether it’s an innie or outie!
Don’t worry, this will return to normal after the pregnancy.
14. Undesirable hair growth
While pregnancy probably won’t give you hairs on your chest, for some women raised androgen levels can increase the fuzz on the face.
Use hair removal cream, which is kinder than waxing or shaving – and don’t worry about it causing excessive hair growth afterwards. This is a myth. The regrowth is coarser so we notice it more, but there isn’t more of it.
15. Stretch marks
It’s thought nine out of ten women get these silvery lines during pregnancy, which happen because the elastin in the skin stretches as you gain weight.
There’s no cure-all solution, but watching your weight (so it doesn’t creep up too fast) and taking gentle exercise can help. After pregnancy, if you want to get rid of them, laser treatments give good results.
16. Stuffy nose
Nasal congestion is common in pregnancy due to the hormone progesterone, which causes swelling of the nasal mucosa. The stuffiness (and occasional nosebleeds) usually start around week 16 and are nothing to worry about. But if you’re suffering from flu and have a temperature, you need to visit your doctor.
17. Snoring
Yes, you. Whereas once you were a dainty sleeper, now you may find yourself snoring. Extra weight can contribute to snoring.
In fact, up to 30% of all pregnant women snore at some point during their pregnancies, particularly during the second and third trimesters. According to a recent study performed at the University of Edinburgh, it appears that, during pregnancy, a woman’s upper airways become increasingly restricted.
As you gain weight during pregnancy, some of this fat is stored around the throat and neck. This soft tissue collects around the upper airways, causing it to narrow. This creates an obstruction in your airway, contributing to snoring.
18. Spider veins
According to the book, What To Expect When You’re Expecting, spider veins aren’t varicose veins. They’re spidery, purplish/red lines that pop up on your thighs. They form because of the increased blood volume, which can create significant pressure on blood vessels, causing tiny veins to swell and become visible.
Also, genetics play a role, so if your mom had it, you’re likely to as well.
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