Everyone is familiar with the typical early signs of pregnancy and common symptoms you go through during a 40-week pregnancy. However, things won’t always be so expected when you’re expecting!
There are many uncommon and weird symptoms that many women experience and are often not talked about. Here is a list of 5 weird symptoms that you may feel during your pregnancy!
1. High Body Temperature
You now have a bun in the oven… And your body temperature will surely make you feel that way!
Your body temperature is slightly higher after ovulation and will stay that way until your next period -- this is known as your basal body temperature. If your body temperature stays elevated for more than two weeks, it’s a sign that you may be pregnant!
Even during early pregnancy, you may feel your body really turning up the heat! This is due to your pregnancy hormone levels and the higher metabolism that you start to have, as it makes your body feel warmer. Your skin will even feel warmer to the touch and you’ll begin to sweat more in order to cool off and compensate for the high heat.
2. Frequent Urination
You’ll start to get the urge to pee more and more frequently during your early pregnancy stages. One of the main causes of this is because of the thirst you start to develop. It’s the never ending cycle of drinking a lot of water and needing to visit the washroom more often. But don’t cut back on the water because staying hydrated is super important!
Another reason for increased urinary frequency is because of the increase of the hormones progesterone and human chorionic gonadotropin. The pressure on your bladder will decrease as time goes by and as you enter your second trimester of pregnancy, because your uterus is higher up. Then you will experience a lot more pressure on your bladder during your third trimester, as your baby is claiming more room in your belly and getting bigger.
You may also experience urinary leakage if you cough, exercise, laugh, or sneeze. Your body will have a lot more fluids in it during pregnancy which explains the regular urge to urinate -- whether it's on purpose or accidental!
3. Acne
Seeing blemishes on your face is something that women have gone through throughout their whole lives -- from puberty, up until pregnancy!
Experiencing acne is more common during the first and second trimesters, and less common in the third trimester of your pregnancy. This is due to hormones called androgens which can cause the glands in your skin to produce an oily, waxy substance called sebum. This oil can clog up your pores which makes you more susceptible to bacteria, inflammation and breakouts.
The good news is that the acne you may experience during pregnancy and postpartum is often temporary and your skin will clear up when your hormones return to normal levels. In the meantime, you can continue to stay true to your normal skincare routine and also pick up some natural ways to treat pregnancy acne in the process.
4. Dizziness
It’s very common for pregnant women to feel the room spinning!
You may start to experience dizziness and disorientation after week 12 of your pregnancy. Progesterone increases the blood flow to your baby which leads you to have a lower blood pressure and a reduced blood flow to your brain, making you feel dizzy.
Another reason for this is because your body temperature is so high, you may feel stuffy and lightheaded. The lack of sleep is also a factor that plays into this, so make sure you are properly dealing with fatigue to avoid dizziness as much as you can.
5. Food Cravings
We all know that you’re now eating for two! This means that you’re going to come across many different pregnancy food cravings -- some delicious, and some kinda weird.
The reason for pregnancy cravings is mainly because of your changed hormones and nutritional deficiencies. Your body is used to sending messages to your brain to let you know that you need to eat something. However, cravings don’t act this rationally -- you’ll start to crave foods even when you aren’t hungry, so it’s a lot more psychological than gastrointestinal.
Pregnancy cravings will begin to kick in during your first trimester and you’re going to develop a whole new relationship with food. Some of the foods that you used to love you may start to hate and be disgusted by the smell. And some food combinations that you have never even thought about may be just the thing you’re craving!