Pregnancy: 13 Important Things You Should Know

1. Morning Sickness

Let's talk about the most common pregnancy symptom first.  Morning sickness can be all day long and all night long sickness.  What the heck, right?

Morning sickness also does not mean that you will throw up. With my first pregnancy, I would be nauseous all day then be dry heaving every night for the first 3 months without out ever throwing up.  

You may not even get morning sickness or it may only happen a few times through out your pregnancy.  

It can last about the first trimester.  This happened with my first 3 pregnancies.

Or it can be a joy you have to endure throughout your whole pregnancy.  Thank you baby 4 for that not so wonderful experience.

I have a friend that threw up every single morning of one of her pregnancies.

2. Breast Tenderness

Your breasts can hurt like nothing you have ever felt as a period symptom. 

I couldn't put any extra pressure on them, like a blanket or bed sheet without wincing in pain.

This only happened with my first pregnancy but it was absolutely shocking!  The worst was when I had to either lay back or sit up.  That gravity change was so painful.

3. Nose Bleeds

The blood vessels in your nose expand during pregnancy.  Your blood volume also increases.  This can lead to nose bleeds.

"About 20 percent of people who are pregnant have nosebleeds. That’s 1 in 5!" according to Healthline.com.

When I was pregnant with my first baby, I ended up having 4 pretty major nose bleeds.  Each one of them took close to an hour to get control of. 

I got one even when I was dead asleep.  Thankfully I woke up in time to not have blood all over my pillow.

Of my four pregnancies, this only happened with the first.

4. Every Single Pregnancy is Different

From woman to woman and pregnancy to pregnancy, every pregnancy is different.  

I was so jealous of all those mama's who were pregnant at the same time as me and did not have morning sickness.

This is also true of multiple pregnancies for the same mama. 

I had "all day sickness" for the first 3 months of my first pregnancy. Then one day it just stopped.  

When I was pregnant with baby 4, I had all day and all night sickness and could only have toast without being sick until that little bambino was born.  What a bummer of a diet that was.

With only my 3rd pregnancy, I was put on bed rest.

5. Food Aversions Can Be Terrible

While there were seldom foods that I craved, I can only really think of 2 specific times, I had bad food aversions.  And these aversions made me nauseous with one whiff.  

My husband said I had a nose of a bloodhound.  Ahem, those dang blue cheese beef sticks he just had to have.

6. Back and Leg Pain

Carrying an ever-growing baby around can put so much strain on your body, especially your back and legs.  Back and leg pain can leave you wincing, or even not be able to move.

Doing a lot of stretch of your hamstrings (downward dog helped me), using this heating pad , and this belly band are ways to help you through.

A lower back massage doesn't hurt either.  

I have this seat cushion massager.  

You can use it after your baby arrives also.

Just because you had the baby does not mean you are done carrying it around.

7. You Can Have Problems or Conditions

I do not say this to scare you, but mama you should be aware of what could happen.

Before I was pregnant with my first, I was completely in the dark about how many problems and conditions can go with it.  I thought it was going to be all rainbows and butterflies with some morning sickness sprinkled in here and there.

I have had 4 IUGR pregnancies.  Have you ever heard of it? Nope, me either and everyone that I had to explain it to had no clue it was even a thing. It only happens in about 3 to 7 percent of newborns.

If you have one IUGR pregnancy then you are more likely to have another one.

IUGR is where the baby stops growing inside the uterus and depletes all of its nutrition.  When this happens, the baby needs to be delivered because it will grow better outside than in you.

You can read more about this condition here: What To Expect.

8. How Common Miscarriage Are

About 10 to 20 percent of known pregnancies end in miscarriage.  This is according to MayoClinic.org.

I know women who have had to cope with this kind of loss and it is heartbreaking.

Thankfully, I am so blessed to have had 4 pregnancies that resulted in 4 healthy children.

9. Being Sick While Pregnant

You will probably be sick or not feel well due to something outside the ever-growing baby in your stomach.

But when you are pregnant, you are restricted by what medicines you can take.  Consult your doctor on the best way to cure what ails you.

I had sinus infections and a few terrible colds throughout my pregnancies. 

What I was advised to do most, by the triage nurse at my hospital, was have some hot lemon and honey water, and get the most rest that I could.

10. Constipation

It is time to talk poop.  

If you are like me, you are a bit more private about this.  

But when you are pregnant the struggle can be real!  It can leave you feeling extremely sluggish.  I know I needed all the energy I could get.

There are helpful things to get your digestion moving including adding more fiber, walking, and increasing your water intake.

These worked until my 4th pregnancy.  My doctor had me taking 1/2 doses of Miralax spread throughout the day, every day, just so I could have regular bowel movements.  

Talk to your doctor if you are struggling with constipation.

11. Your Changing Body

Your body is growing and changing all over the place.  And you will be so aware of this.

I ended up gaining about 40 pounds with each pregnancy.  This was really hard for me to adjust to with every pregnancy because I have always been a thin lady.

Around the 4 - 5 month mark with all 4 pregnancies, I just felt chunky.  I was pregnant but it didn't quite look like it.  My clothes didn't seem to fit.  It was like I was going through puberty again.

Then my baby bump seemed to "pop" out and everyone could clearly see, even me, that I was pregnant and not just putting on a bunch of weight.

12. Low Iron Levels

You need to have good iron levels in your blood.  It delivers oxygen to you and your baby.

Some side effects that you may have with low iron include being tired, dizziness, and a change in your heartbeat.

I had the unfortunate experience of watching my levels reduce with each pregnancy.  My 3rd pregnancy diet had to be heavily monitored so I wouldn't have to go on iron supplements.

However, by the time I was on my 4th pregnancy, I had to take iron supplements daily.  This was prescribed by my doctor.  

Even though I was taking this pill, it was barely enough to reach the bottom of the range where my doctor wanted my iron levels to be.

13. Your Whole World is Pregnancy

When you are pregnant, everything will be about pregnancy.  And let's face it, it should be mostly about it.  A major life change is about to happen.  

You are going to welcome the most precious gift into your life.

However, this can get a bit annoying. 

When you are out with friends, that is what they will talk about.  I was the first of my friends to have a baby so I was peppered with questions and belly rubs.

When you call your family, that is what your conversation will revolve around.  I know a new grandbaby/ niece or nephew is exciting but you become more on the bottom of the list.

I am a person who is used to sharing, I grew up with 7 siblings.  But it was a hard thing for me to get my head around that this sweet little babe growing inside me demanded all the attention. 

You also notice there are pregnant women everywhere!  This was a nice reminder that I was not in this alone.  Even though I didn't know any of them, I felt like I was part of this special group of  "mamas".