Congratulations on your upcoming bundle of joy! Being pregnant is a very exciting time. It’s also a time when you may notice some pretty wacky changes in your life and your body. While some changes are normal, others may come as a bit of a surprise. Here are 10 facts about pregnancy that you have to look forward to.
Fact #1 – Your Skin Might Change
Pregnant women have dramatic skin changes. One of them is the pregnancy glow. Pregnant women often look like they’re glowing because they have an increase in oil secretion along with an increase in blood flow. Women’s skin also stretches an average of 1.5 square feet during pregnancy to accommodate the glowing midsection.
Fact #2 – You Could Experience Hair Changes
During pregnancy, women can grow hair in some weird places. It’s not uncommon for women to grow hair on their belly, their face, or even their nipples. Hair can become oily or even change color. Some women may experience hair loss, but most women experience hair growth. Not to worry – the changes are not permanent.
Fact #3 – Your Shoe Size May Change
Pregnant women often suffer from swollen feet which can change your shoe size so much that you can’t wear your shoes anymore. Many women find it more comfortable to wear slides or flip flops. Of course, if it’s cold this won’t be logical. Just make sure you get shoes that aren’t too tight.
Source: Shutterstock.comFact #4 – Nesting Instinct
Nesting is an interesting phenomenon. It’s when pregnant women feel the need to make their homes more suitable for their coming baby. They may clean, decorate, throw things away, buy things, and much more. Making the house safe also becomes a priority. Essentially mom is preparing the nest for all things baby. Just make sure to get plenty of rest in between activities.
Fact #5 – Your Heart Grows
Usually an enlarged heart is a cause for concern, but in the case of pregnancy, it’s completely normal. However, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t pay attention to your cardiovascular health. Pregnant women are susceptible to temporary heart problems, so make sure you monitor your heart health carefully.
Fact #6 – Your Baby Can Hear You
A baby’s ears fully develop halfway through pregnancy so your baby can hear just about everything you say. This means you can begin bonding with your baby before he or she even comes out. Your baby will get used to your voice and daddy’s voice in the womb. You may even feel your baby reacting to it.
Fact #7 – You Get Your Baby’s Leftovers
When you eat, your baby gets first dibs on the vitamins and nutrients from the food. Baby gets all that he or she needs, which can be a lot. That’s why it’s very important that you eat enough of the right foods so that you and baby can stay full and healthy.
Fact #8 – You’ll be extra sweaty
When you’re pregnant, you’ll probably take a lot of showers or baths. You have a lot of blood circulating through your body – blood for two people. This blood gets pushed to your skin so you can dissipate all that heat. This means you’re sweating for two people, so you’ll probably need to bathe enough for two people.
Source: Shutterstock.comFact #9 – There Will Be Digestive Issues
Many pregnant women have reported problems like acid reflux, constipation, and other digestive issues. A lot of this is because digestion slows down in your body so that your body (and your baby) can absorb the nutrients as efficiently as possible. It could also be due to all the new foods you eat that your body isn’t quite used to.
Fact #10 – You May Be Constantly Feeling “Frisky”
A lot of pregnant women have a heightened libido. Just the sight of your partner could be a major turn on. The good news is that this is completely normal and indulging in your “feelings” won’t hurt your baby. Just don’t get too crazy.
Most of the changes from pregnancy are light changes. While some may be uncomfortable, they’re temporary. Once your bundle of joy arrives, you’ll forget all about how uncomfortable you were. Use these ten facts to get you through the tough part, until you’re holding your new baby in your arms.
