We’re here today to talk about weird pregnancy symptoms, so I’m sharing @SarahTheHotMessMommy‘s amazing list as a guest post.
Sarah McKee is a mom of 3 who worked as a nurse for years. Now, she runs an online wellness business and uses her platform to help normalize REAL motherhood experiences.
On her IG she speaks openly about two of her pregnancies being natural and one being the result of infertility treatments, with a miscarriage in between.
So she knows a thing or two about pregnancy and motherhood.
I promise I’ll get to all the crazy symptoms if you keep reading.
One quick note: This post may contain affiliate links.
Anyway, why did she create this list of weird pregnancy symptoms?
Sarah says, “How many times have you heard a mom say, ‘no one told me that about pregnancy?’ I lost track!
Well don’t worry mama, I got you. Here is a list of what to expect in pregnancy, so you are not caught off guard.
Thank God I did not experience these all myself, otherwise I likely would have an only child.”
Sarah McKee tells us what to expect while pregnant.
40 common unexpected things while you’re expecting and during childbirth:
Weird pregnancy symptoms:
1. Your basal body temperature will increase
2. You may experience vaginal discharge
3. You might get a dark line down your stomach called the linea negra, which usually goes away
4. Your hair color and/or texture may change
5. You might get melasma or dark pigments all over your face
6. You might become super sensitive to the sun, even burning through thin clothing!
7. Your nipples might get very dark and/or large and may not go back
8. You might get hair all over body in strange places
9. Or stretch marks all over your body–not just on your stomach, or you may not get them at all
10. You may experience headaches
11. Your breasts might leak milk early on
12. You might get very swollen lady parts and it might change in color
13. You might get discharge flow like a waterfall
And that’s not all….
14. You may get hemorrhoids that never really go away
15. You might gain weight in strange places you don’t normally gain in
16. Your feet might get bigger
17. Your eyesight may change
18. Here’s some good or bad news: your sex drive might increase or decrease
19. You might have taste aversions, smell aversions, or very strange cravings
20. Your balance might be off
21. Your gums and nose may bleed
22. You will likely have a huge increase in pee frequency after your belly grows
23. You might have nerve changes like restless leg or sciatica
24. Or experience wobbly joints from the increase in relaxin
25. You might be crazy hormonal (this one might be obvious), but you also might not be emotional/hormonal at all which people don’t talk about often
26. You will experience a new level of tired… at least until baby comes. Ha!
27. You might have crazy lucid dreams
28. You might have a nonstop stuffy nose
29. Your stomach may itch like crazy as it grows
30. You might have bad gas or other changes in digestion like constipation or the runs
It will seem impossible, but it will all be worth it!
What to expect when you go into labor:
31. You might lose your mucus plug near labor which is like a huge booger out of your lady bits one day when you’re wiping after pee… however this does not mean labor is coming soon, often it can be a week or more before, but it does mean progress
32. You can be dilated at a few cm’s for a long time, so don’t get your hopes up if you hear you’re dilated, stay patient
33. Your water may or may not break, for some it is a huge gush, and for others like a small trickle of pee
34. Your contractions will start and you’ll think “oh, this isn’t so bad”… then they really kick in and knock you off your high horse real quick.
Unless you’re a total badass and you don’t think transition phase hurts (but I haven’t met a woman yet that thought so)
35. You will likely get a catheter if you have a c-section, or epidural, and this should not be too painful. Soak up the time to not have to run to the bathroom for once in 9 months
36. Your epidural may only work on one side of body or not work at all
37. You will likely poop while pushing
38. You may or may not tear both above your vagina and back towards your butt most people don’t realize it can tear both ways
39. You’ll have to deliver the placenta after birth, sometimes this can be uncomfortable as well
40. Your delivery and entire pregnancy could also actually be super smooth and easy
That’s the list.
RELATED READING: How to use powerful birth affirmations: free printable PDF
RELATED READING: What you need to know NOW about breastfeeding
RELATED READING: How to make DIY postpartum padsicles for a fast, healthy recovery
And while we’re at it, have you heard about this award-winning brand for cute, comfy maternity and postpartum essentials? Their nursing bras have thousands of five star reviews!
In conclusion? You can do this, mama.
All in all, learn to take this list of 40 crazy things that may or may not happen when you’re expecting and roll with the punches.
Just take it day by day, and just feel those feelings. You got this.
I’ve learned so much in my four years as a mother so far. Especially since I was divorced for two of those years, making me a single mom to two kids under two until I married my current husband.
I learned the keys to motherhood are: trust your instincts and give yourself a whole lot of grace.
In the eyes of our children we are perfect. I try to remind myself of that on my worst days, and I hope you do, too.
That’s all from Sarah. Hopefully, now you are more prepared if any of these weird pregnancy symptoms pop up.
I recommend following her on Instagram for some funny, informative, relatable motherhood and wellness content. You can also check out her website.
She’s definitely taught me a thing or two.
Having a baby?
Make sure you’re prepared for childbirth and to meet your own needs during the postpartum period with my handy, printable Essential 3rd & 4th Trimester Guide!
What did you think of Sarah’s list of things to expect when you’re expecting? Which of these symptoms surprised you the most? Comment below!
XO,
-B