Pregnancy is a magical time, but it's not always going to mean having that enviable mom-to-be glow and gorgeous photoshoot-worthy maternity style.
There will be times when you'll go through symptoms that are not so instagram-worthy, but are important parts of pregnancy, because they are how your body adapts to the wondrous changes of preparing to bring new life into the world.
Here are some embarrassing pregnancy symptoms and how to handle them to make your journey to motherhood as easy as possible!
1. Uncontrollable gas
Farting or passing gas unexpectedly is a common symptom that many pregnant moms can relate to. Elevated levels of progesterone in the body tend to relax digestive muscles, making it difficult to control digestion and causing gas to accumulate in your digestive tract.
To avoid this, make sure to eat small, frequent meals and avoid gas-inducing foods like cabbage, broccoli, beans, and carbonated beverages.
2. Morning sickness
About 80% of moms will go through some type of nausea during the first trimester of their pregnancy. And contrary to its name, it can hit at all hours throughout the day.
Keeping away from smells or food that induce nausea and vomiting will help. Another way to keep this symptom at bay is to keep ginger-flavored hard candy with you at all times as well as ice chips, or lemonade.
If your morning sickness is severe, it could be sign of hyperemesis gravidarum, or extreme morning sickness. See your doctor immediately if you are unable to manage your nausea and vomiting.
3. Leaking bladder
Pregnancy incontinence, or losing control of your bladder, is a common symptom of pregnancy. Urine can escape if you hold your pee for too long, or even when you laugh or sneeze too hard. As your baby grows, your uterus is pushed harder against your bladder.
How can you minimize bladder leakage? Try doing the Kegels exercise, which is done by clenching your pelvic muscles and vagina and holding for a few seconds, repeatedly.
If you're worried about not being able to control your bladder, wear a sanitary napkin or pantiliner before leaving the house.
4. Constipation
Because pregnancy hormones relax your digestive system, it also causes your metabolism to slow down. Your growing baby also applies pressure to your bowels. As a result, you're more at risk for constipation.
Make sure to hydrate! Make sure to include loads of fiber-rich foods in your diet. If you do develop hemorrhoids, make sure to keep the area clean and dry, to avoid infection. Your doctor may also recommend hydrocortisone cream as needed.
5. Hemorrhoids
Dilated blood vessels around the anus are to blame for this pregnancy symptom. These itchy bumps tend to burn or even bleed. This is often caused by the pressure placed on the groin as the baby grows. Moms-to-be with chronic constipation tend to strain and force bowel movements, which increases the risk for hemorrhoids.
The best way to battle this is to avoid being constipated.
6. Vaginal discharge
Because of elevated estrogen levels in pregnancy, the vagina is stimulated to produce more discharge or secretions. To help relieve this, you can use cotton, breathable underwear as well as unscented pantiliners. It's important to change these frequently to avoid infection. Avoid douching or wearing tampons, as this heightens the possibility of infection.
However, it's important to keep a close watch on the type of discharge because if it has a strong odor or if it isn't light in color it could be a symptom of an underlying infection or condition, like yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis, or STDs. If this is a case, your doctor may recommend antibiotics that are safe to be taken during pregnancy.
7. Leaking breasts
As your body prepares for your baby's arrival, it starts to secrete prolactin, which is the hormone that stimulates milk production. The embarrassing thing about this is that it tends to stain clothes, causing visible damp spots to appear. Use nursing pads inside your bra if this is a problem for you. Be careful though if the leakage become foul-smelling or blood-tinged, as it can be a sign of an underlying condition.
Another breast-related symptom are itchy nipples, which happens due to breast enlargement. Moisturizing will help! Another way to manage this is to avoid itchy fabrics and go for cottony soft nursing bras, which you can still use even after you've given birth.
8. Mood changes
Pregnancy hormones don't just affect physical functions, they can also dictate your emotions. You might notice you feel upset one minute--even, reacting in a more emotional way than you normally would--but perfectly happy the next. Strange food cravings as well as forgetfulness can be attributed to hormonal changes.
Be patient with yourself and know that this is how your body adapts. Try to find ways to manage your moods and care for yourself!
sources: Parents.com, WhattoExpect.com
READ: How water prevents pregnancy symptoms and discomfort
