25 Strange Yet Common Pregnancy Symptoms and What Causes Them

 Gas and burping

As your baby grows, the space in your belly gets smaller. “This can cause your intestines to feel cramped, leading to irregular digestion, gas, and bloating,” says Sheri Bales, RN, a New York City-based birth specialist.

Pregnancy hormones can put your digestive tract under strain, making symptoms like burping, heartburn, and bloating common, especially during the first and second trimester. Plus, your diet may change during pregnancy, which can also affect your digestion.

How to find relief

Eating small, frequent meals can help. You should also limit foods and drinks that cause gas.

• Carbonated drinks
• Cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage
• milk
• Spicy food
• Whole grains

Going for a brisk 20-minute walk after dinner (if you have no physical restrictions) can also help improve digestion and reduce bloating.

If indigestion or heartburn is keeping you up at night, try propping your head up on the pillow or elevating your feet to reduce pressure on your intestines and make digestion easier. If nothing works, ask your doctor if they can recommend gas-stopping medication.

constipate

Do you feel like you’re spending too much time on the bathroom? You’re not alone. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), most pregnant women will experience constipation at some point during their pregnancy. In fact, between 11% and 38% of pregnant women experience constipation.

Immediately after conception, an increase in pregnancy hormones such as progesterone causes your digestive tract to slow down so that you can absorb and pass on more nutrients to your baby. This delay can cause constipation as early as 8 weeks. Plus, over time, your growing baby starts to put pressure on your intestines, making even small amounts of food harder to digest.

How to find relief

 Increasing your fiber intake can help keep your bowels moving, says  Marjorie Greenfield, M.D., associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Case School of Medicine and University Hospitals in Cleveland and author of The Working Woman’s Pregnancy Book , so start eating more fresh fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains. 

Some small changes that can make a big difference are to switch to high-fiber cereals and remember to drink plenty of water. You could also talk to your doctor about trying a fiber supplement like Metamucil, which is safe to take during pregnancy.

If you still experience discomfort, your doctor may recommend a mild laxative, such as milk of magnesia, but avoid stimulant laxatives, such as Ducolax, Exlax, or castor oil, as they may cause cramping.

When to call your healthcare provider

Although constipation can be uncomfortable, it’s rarely dangerous, so there’s usually no need to stress. Although very rare, leaving the condition untreated can lead to a fecal embolism, which will require a healthcare professional to remove it. Although this condition can be painful for you (and a little uncomfortable), it won’t harm your baby.

brown sugar

Thank pregnancy hormones for this strange symptom: High estrogen levels stimulate the production of melanin, a natural substance that gives skin its pigment, which can lead to darkening of the nipples and the linea nigra, a vertical black line running down the middle of your abdomen.

You may also notice a darkening of the skin on your face known as “liver spots.” These skin changes usually begin during the second trimester and tend to be more noticeable in women with darker skin.

How to find relief

While it’s impossible to prevent all of the skin changes that come with pregnancy, applying sunscreen before going outside can help prevent some pigmentation from becoming more noticeable.

There’s no need to worry about these pregnancy skin changes, as they usually disappear within a few weeks after giving birth. On the other hand, if you’re embarrassed about the dark line on your belly, avoid wearing lightweight, light-colored tops as they may make the line visible.

Blurred vision

You might be wondering if you need glasses (or a new prescription), but vision problems during pregnancy are another side effect of fluid retention: Your lens and cornea may temporarily thicken, causing changes in eye pressure.

“When you’re pregnant, your whole body swells, which can affect your eyes,” explains Kristin Greaves, MD, an obstetrician-gynecologist at Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies in Orlando.

How to find relief

Blurred vision isn’t necessarily a normal symptom of pregnancy, so talk to your healthcare provider to make sure it’s not a sign of preeclampsia, which is characterized by high blood pressure, swelling, and excess protein in the urine, says Dr. Graves. If the blurred vision is normal, don’t worry; your vision will return to normal after you give birth.

During that time, it’s best to avoid getting a new prescription, as any vision loss may only be temporary, but a pair of inexpensive reading glasses can help during this time.

Carpal tunnel syndrome

During pregnancy, your body experiences a significant increase in fluid. This swelling and pressure often leads to carpal tunnel syndrome, which causes numbness and tingling around the wrist.

How to find relief

Wrist splints can help relieve symptoms by stabilising the area and minimising uncomfortable movement, but the problem should go away after pregnancy so tell your doctor if symptoms persist. Physical therapy can also be effective if symptoms are severe or interfering with daily life.

Itchy nipples or breasts

During pregnancy, many women find that their breasts and nipples enlarge in preparation for milk production. Although it’s not often talked about, itchy nipples are common during pregnancy, even in the early stages.

As your breasts grow during early pregnancy, the sensitive skin in this area stretches, which can cause persistent itching around your nipples, breasts, and chest.

Hormonal changes and increased blood flow to the area can also contribute to itchy nipples and breasts. Additionally, many pregnant women experience heaviness, tenderness (when touched, through clothing, during bathing, etc.), tingling, or pain in their breasts.

How to find relief

Stay moisturized! “If you feel itching, apply a thick, softening lanolin cream, like Lansinoh, to your nipples,” suggests Bayles. Applying a lotion or cream containing coconut oil, shea butter, or cocoa butter after a bath can also help soften the skin and prevent or relieve itching.

Also avoid wearing potentially irritating fabrics, like wool, coarse cotton, and cashmere blends. For more comfort, if you wear a bra, switch to a soft cotton nursing bra or camisole with built-in support (if you’re breastfeeding, these items can do double duty).

Cool compresses and baths can also help soothe itchy nipples, breasts, and chest. Be sure to drink plenty of water, as dehydration can dry out the skin and make the itching worse.

When to call your healthcare provider

If you develop a rash or discharge from one or both nipples, see your health care provider, as this could be a symptom of a bacterial infection or a papilloma in the milk duct, which is not usually cancer.

Most cases of bloody nipple discharge are due to these two conditions. In very rare cases, bloody discharge can be a sign of breast or chest cancer, so consult your doctor to rule out this possibility.

Severe groin pain

Abdominal pain, also known as pelvic pain or pelvic cavity pain, is very common during pregnancy. Pain in that area tends to start in the second trimester  as the round ligament in your pelvis stretches to accommodate your growing baby, says Laura Riley, M.D., chief of obstetrics and gynecology at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and author of You and Your Baby: Eating Healthy During Pregnancy . 

Severe groin pain can occur suddenly or can be constant with a dull ache. This discomfort can be localized to the skin of the abdomen and the navel area, causing pain, which is sometimes called belly button pain. Additionally, some people notice a whitening of the skin around the navel, which may or may not be painful in that area.

You may feel pain when you suddenly stand up, or after standing all day. The weight of your baby’s head may also press against your pubic bone, causing pain in the groin area.

How to find relief

Take pressure off your feet. Next time you experience bad groin pain, try putting your feet up on a footrest or pillow to take pressure off your pelvis. If the pain comes on while you’re at work, sit down and rest for a few seconds until the pain subsides, then try to relax for the rest of your day. Often, even a simple change in posture can make a difference.

Wearing an abdominal support belt under your belly and doing simple stretches like bending your knees toward your belly can help relieve tension in your lower abdomen and ease the pain. You can also talk to your doctor about taking acetaminophen (never use ibuprofen or aspirin during pregnancy as they are not safe) for pain relief.

When to call your healthcare provider

Call your doctor if the pain is severe or is accompanied by cramps, spasms, lower back pain, pelvic pressure, bleeding, or increased vaginal or pelvic discharge, as this may be a sign of premature labor.

Urinary incontinence

Talk about letting go: “When you become pregnant, certain hormones signal your pelvic muscles to relax so that you can eventually give birth,” explains Dr. Greenfield. This can make you more likely to leak urine when you sneeze or laugh (called stress urinary incontinence).

Additionally, during the second trimester, the growing fetus begins to put pressure on the bladder, which is located just in front of the uterus.

How to find relief

Doing 10 Kegel exercises (contracting your pelvic floor muscles as if you are trying to stop urinating) several times a day can help strengthen the muscles around your bladder and reduce leaking.

Dr. Greenfield also suggests going to the bathroom every 1-2 hours to keep your bladder from getting too full, and if necessary, use pads or panty liners to soak up any small amounts of leakage during the later stages of pregnancy.

Most importantly, talk to your healthcare provider about strategies that may help. Research suggests that many women experience urinary leakage during pregnancy, but few seek treatment. If weak pelvic floor muscles are causing the leakage, pelvic floor physical therapy may be a helpful option.

When to call your healthcare provider

If symptoms worsen or you experience pain or burning when urinating, see a doctor to rule out cystitis or a urinary tract infection (UTI).

性欲減退

Pregnancy tends to affect libido — some people even feel an increased libido during pregnancy — but if sex has fallen a bit lower on your to-do list, you’re not alone.

For starters, the fatigue and nausea that are common in early pregnancy can dampen anyone’s sex drive. Then back pain and a big belly can ruin the fun and create some serious logistical problems: Worrying that sex will hurt, or that the baby will stop you from having sex before bedtime.

How to find relief

It’s completely normal for your libido to decrease during pregnancy or any other major life change. In fact, most pregnant women report that at some point during their pregnancy, they feel too tired or physically challenged to have sex. Be aware that your libido may change during pregnancy. In fact, although you may dread it now, you’ll find yourself looking forward to having sex next month.

Sometimes, just talking to your partner about your fears and anxieties can make you feel better and boost your libido, says Dr. Riley. And remember, as long as your healthcare provider allows it, sex is totally safe for you and your baby. “Your baby is floating in amniotic fluid and protected inside your uterus, which is a thick, strong muscle,” says Dr. Riley. That way, your baby can’t be harmed during sex.

When to call your healthcare provider

If lack of sex is affecting your relationships, personal well-being, or sense of self, it may be time to speak to a medical professional or counselor.

Increased libido

Are you more turned on than a kitten? This weird pregnancy symptom is totally normal and very common. For one, it increases blood flow to your lower abdomen (blood volume increases by 30 to 50 percent during pregnancy), heightening sexual arousal and potentially leading to more intense or multiple orgasms, says   Yvonne K. Fulbright, PhD, coauthor of Your Orgasmic Pregnancy: Little Sex Secrets Every HOT Mama Should Know . 

It could also be the emotional state of pregnancy that’s to blame: “Sharing this wonderful event can strengthen the bond between partners,” says Dr. Greenfield. Or it could be that your libido is heightened because this is the first time you’ve been able to just enjoy sex as it is, without worrying about pregnancy, Dr. Greenfield explains.

How to find relief

You should be able to do so unless your healthcare provider tells you otherwise. In general, everything on the pre-pregnancy menu is safe to enjoy, though you might want to try different sex positions that reduce pressure on your growing belly, like cowgirl, oral sex, and doggy style. “If sex isn’t harming you, it’s not harming your baby,” says Dr. Greenfield.

When to call your healthcare provider

If you have any complications, such as placenta previa or a weakened cervix, or are on bed rest, it may not be safe for you to have sex or orgasm, so consult your healthcare professional. Also, you should never have sex if your water breaks, as this can cause infection and is dangerous for your unborn baby.

Acne During Pregnancy

Pregnancy can bring on breakouts and acne that you haven’t had regularly since your teenage years, and for some, it can feel like nine long months of PMS. Blame it on the hormones!

How to find relief

Although studies have not yet confirmed the safety of over-the-counter acne medications such as salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide during pregnancy, there is no evidence that their use would adversely affect pregnancy. However, the prescription drug Accutane (isotretinoin) should never be used during pregnancy as it can cause serious birth defects.

Many pregnant women want to avoid or minimize the use of over-the-counter acne medications. Talk to your doctor about safe alternatives. Your doctor may recommend using a gentle cleanser and pore-cleansing clay mask once a week. Fortunately, pregnancy acne usually goes away soon after delivery or as hormones balance during pregnancy.

Stuffy nose

During pregnancy, blood flow through the nose increases, making stuffy nose and nosebleeds common. In fact, the incidence of nosebleeds during pregnancy is 20.3%, compared to 6.2% in non-pregnant people.

Hormones also cause the mucus membranes inside your nose to swell during pregnancy, says Laura Dean, MD, an obstetrician-gynecologist in Stillwater, Minnesota. “The swelling reduces the area through which air can flow. Nasal dryness can also make things worse, especially in the winter.”

How to find relief

Using nasal drops or a humidifier may help alleviate some of the discomfort, as can breathing in steam for a few minutes while you shower. The good news is that all of these nasal issues will go away after pregnancy.

Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are enlarged blood vessels around the anus, like varicose veins in your buttocks, says Dr. Riley. They appear as itchy, burning lumps and can sometimes bleed – blood in your stool or toilet paper is one of the most common hemorrhoid symptoms. Going to the bathroom can be uncomfortable or painful.

Many pregnant women experience hemorrhoids during pregnancy, which is often caused by the weight of the baby pressing on the veins in the groin. Chronic constipation doesn’t help either, as it makes it even worse by making you strain more when you have a bowel movement.

How to find relief

Controlling constipation is your best defense against recurring hemorrhoids. Drink plenty of water and eat high-fiber foods like high-fiber cereals and bran muffins. Daily exercise, even just walking, can really help. Sitting for long periods of time tends to make the condition worse.

If you have hemorrhoids, keep the area clean and dry and use a witch hazel pad to reduce swelling, recommends Dr. Riley. If the pain is severe or doesn’t subside after a few days, your healthcare provider may recommend a hydrocortisone cream to reduce inflammation.

Vaginal discharge

You may not have had your period for nine months, but don’t put away the panty liners just yet: You may not expect to experience an increase in vaginal discharge (also known as leucorrhea) during pregnancy.

“High estrogen levels, especially during the third trimester, can increase vaginal secretions and mucus,” Dr. Riley says.

How to find relief

You can’t prevent or limit discharge — in fact, vaginal discharge is a perfectly healthy part of pregnancy — but wearing cotton underwear can help keep you dry, not to mention being more breathable, absorbent, and comfortable than synthetic fabrics.

You can also use pads every day, but make sure you change them regularly, says Dr. Riley: “Damp pads can rub against your skin and cause irritation.”

Bath or shower regularly, but don’t scrub or try to cleanse your vagina. ACOG says this is unnecessary and can disrupt your body’s natural microbiome. You should also never douch or use tampons while pregnant. This can introduce bacteria into your vagina or allow existing bacteria to get closer to your cervix, causing an infection.

When to call your healthcare provider

If the discharge is itchy, burns, has a strong odor, or isn’t creamy, clear, or white, see your doctor. Your doctor may want to check to see if you have a yeast infection, bacterial vaginosis, or a sexually transmitted disease. (Don’t panic if you do: Most of these infections can be treated with antibiotics during pregnancy.)

Strange dreams during pregnancy

Having strange and disturbing dreams is a completely normal part of pregnancy. “When you become pregnant, you give up a lot of the control you previously had,” says Dr. Riley. During this time of big change, it’s common to feel anxious about the future and the prospects of becoming a parent.

These worries, combined with fatigue, sleep disorders, and of course hormones, can lead to sleepless nights filled with strange dreams. Expectant parents often report dreaming of a terrible car accident, forgetting to take care of the baby, or giving birth to an animal.

How to find relief

Although the subconscious scenarios may scare you, it’s actually a healthy way to deal with the uncertainty you may face when becoming a parent. Remember, what happens in your sleep does not reflect your intentions or your baby’s future.

Talking about your dreams and rationalizing your fears can help you know there’s no need to worry, says Dr Riley. Sharing your dreams with a partner or friend, or recording them in a journal, can also help.

When to call your healthcare provider

If your dreams are disrupting your sleep or making you feel anxious during the day, mention it at your next check-up. It’s best not to let stress and anxiety get out of hand. Talking to a therapist is another option that may help.

Sexy Dreams

You’re not the first pregnant woman to fantasize about late-night flings with college friends or sexy strangers. Sexual dreams during pregnancy are very common, and they can be pretty explicit. (Some people even orgasm while they sleep.)

Plus, according to Dr. Fulbright, changes in your sleep patterns during pregnancy can actually lead to better dream recall, so maybe you’ve always had sexy dreams but just haven’t been able to remember them until now. Secondly, “pregnancy is a very important time in your life, and it can be a time of deep reflection,” Dr. Fulbright explains.

Sexy dreams may be your mind’s way of celebrating those young, carefree days as you prepare for a wonderful future with your new baby. Third, with the extra blood coursing through your veins during pregnancy, sexual sensations may be a little stronger.

How to find relief

Usually these dreams have little or no basis in reality. There’s no need to feel guilty because you have no control over them. Just enjoy them!

Leaking from nipples

Leaking milk from your breasts is another sign that your body is preparing for birth: “Higher levels of prolactin (the hormone that prepares the breasts for breastfeeding) in late pregnancy can cause your nipples to leak fluid when they’re stimulated,” says Dr. Greenfield.

Everyday activities like bathing, getting dressed, thinking about your baby, or even sex may be enough to trigger a sudden nipple discharge.

How to find relief

While you can’t completely prevent leakage, you can put nursing pads inside your bra to absorb any leakage and prevent noticeable stains on your clothes.

If you wish, talk to your healthcare professional or lactation consultant about consuming colostrum (avoid pumping if you are under 37 weeks pregnant or at risk of premature birth).

When to call your healthcare provider

If the discharge is bloody or foul-smelling, see a doctor to rule out a bacterial infection or a milk duct papillomas, which are usually noncancerous but are the most common cause of bloody nipple discharge.

In rare cases, a bloody discharge can be an early warning sign of breast or chest cancer and should be examined by a healthcare provider.

Varicose veins

According to Beverly Hills obstetrician-gynecologist Michelle Hakaca, M.D., varicose veins (commonly known as vaginal varicose veins) are conditions in which the veins in the labia majora become enlarged and swollen.

These symptoms occur when the growing uterus puts pressure on the veins in the vagina. If you have experienced these symptoms in one pregnancy, you are more likely to experience them in future pregnancies.

The good news is, “No matter how big they may appear, they won’t open up and bleed,” says Dr. Hakaka. (Note that some pregnant women also develop varicose veins in their legs and feet.)

How to find relief

Varicose veins will shrink and in most cases disappear completely after giving birth, but there’s not much you can do during pregnancy. Dr. Hakaka recommends wearing a V-belt, a special maternity belt that provides extra support.

She also suggests wearing snug fitting clothes like Spanx (if they’re comfortable) to balance the weight of your growing belly. You should also try to stay as active as possible during your pregnancy, as a sedentary lifestyle can make the condition worse. But don’t worry: “Vaginal varicose veins do not pose any risk to your baby or the birth process,” says Dr. Hakaka.

Nausea and vomiting

Welcome to the get-sick-all-day club. We call it morning sickness, but don’t be fooled: nausea can strike at any time of the day. In fact, up to 91% of pregnant women experience some nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, but some expectant parents feel nauseous around the clock for months on end.

When morning sickness is more persistent and severe, the condition is called hyperemesis gravidarum (HG). The condition affects around 10% of pregnant women and can be severe enough to require medication and hospitalization.

The exact cause of morning sickness is still up in the air, but experts believe it has to do with rising pregnancy hormones, which are at their worst in the first trimester. However, some people don’t experience morning sickness at all, and that’s completely normal.

How to find relief

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution to morning nausea, so you may need to try a few strategies to see what works, says Dr. Greenfield. To stave off early-morning nausea, some pregnant women swear by chewing something light and bland, like saltine crackers, before getting out of bed. Avoiding pungent odors, like perfume and spicy foods, may also help ease nausea.

Other treatments include sucking on ginger candies (ginger root works well as an anti-nausea agent) and eating a snack before bed to suppress hunger and avoid a sleepless night. On the plus side, most people start to feel better after 12 or 14 weeks. Trust me, when the nausea finally subsides, you’ll feel like a new person.

When to call your healthcare provider

If you really can’t eat anything, talk to your healthcare provider as you may be malnourished or dehydrated. Certain medications to help deal with morning sickness, such as over-the-counter vitamin B6 complex or the sleep aid Unisom, may be helpful. If that doesn’t work, your doctor may prescribe medication to suppress the symptoms.

Changes in the navel

While this might seem like a weird pregnancy symptom, a changing belly button is your body’s way of making a little extra space for your baby. “When you feel bloated, the pressure of the baby inside can cause your belly button to stick out like turkey grease,” says Dr. Greenfield.

The popping sound is usually heard slowly during the third trimester when the baby is at its largest and most densely packed.

How to find relief

An umbilical hernia is not painful, but the skin may become extremely sensitive if it rubs against clothing. If you experience any discomfort, wear a belt or put a bandage over your belly button to prevent chafing and to keep it from showing through your clothes. Your belly button will return to its normal position soon after your baby is born.

When to call your healthcare provider

A protruding belly button is normal and nothing to worry about, but in rare cases, part of the intestine can protrude through the abdominal wall, resulting in an umbilical hernia.

If you notice a small bulge around your belly button, see your doctor. Don’t panic if you have a hernia; these types of hernias often heal on their own or only require minor surgery to repair.

toothache

During pregnancy, changing levels of progesterone and estrogen and increased blood flow can cause your gums to swell, just like the rest of your body. “Pregnant women’s gums can swell and form deep pockets with the soft tissue, which can cause bleeding when brushing or flossing,” explains New York City dentist Gildo Corradi, M.D.

Pregnant women also often experience a metallic taste in their mouth, which, while unpleasant, is usually harmless. However, if you already have dental problems such as gingivitis, they may get worse during pregnancy.

How to find relief

If your child’s gums bleed heavily even when they haven’t been brushing, visit a dentist so they can check for gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) or periodontitis (a serious gum infection that can also affect the surrounding ligaments and bone, increasing the risk of premature birth and low birth weight).

Dr. Corradi recommends getting your teeth cleaned twice during pregnancy and practicing good oral hygiene at home. If you have gum disease, your dentist may prescribe an antibacterial mouthwash. Luckily, dental problems tend to clear up soon after you give birth.

Skin tags

You may be a bit surprised at the sudden appearance of a rash of skin tags – small overgrowths of skin that often appear around the neck, armpits, chest, or anywhere else where skin rubs against other skin or clothing.

They’re not contagious and aren’t caused by poor hygiene — rather, the dramatic physical changes during pregnancy, such as shifting hormone levels and increased blood volume, cause an increase in skin tags, along with many other skin problems and changes.

How to find relief

This strange pregnancy symptom may (but doesn’t always) go away after you give birth. If you have a skin mole that bothers you, your doctor can remove it.

Concerns about your partner being present at the birth

Having a baby is an amazing time, but it also comes with a little bit of blood, sweat, tears, and, let’s be honest, a little bit of poop, and a whole new perspective on yourself. Knowing that your partner or loved ones may be witnessing you and your body going through this magical and vivid experience might make you both a little nervous. And that’s normal.

How to find relief

Talk to your partner. “Tell them your concerns and ask them how they feel,” says Dr. Greenfield. They can reassure you that they really do want to be there and that seeing your baby born will make them love you even more.

Or they might admit that they’re worried, too. If so, or if they’re feeling genuinely anxious, talk to them about what’s important to you. Take some childbirth classes so you know what to expect and can agree to compromise if necessary. (For example, some people decide to have their partner lie next to their head rather than standing at the bottom of the bed to watch the birth.)

When to call your healthcare provider

It’s natural to be worried about how your partner will cope with birth, but the reality is, you won’t know how either of you will cope until labor actually begins. It’s important to have open and honest conversations to find out what to expect before you enter the delivery room.

Typically, if the birth goes well, your fears of your partner seeing something wrong will disappear. In fact, your focus will be entirely on the magical beauty of the birth moment and the adorable baby you are bringing into the world.

Defecation during childbirth

If you’re giving birth vaginally, you’ll have to push hard to get your baby out – using many of the same muscles you use to have a bowel movement (in fact, your midwife may ask you to push as if you were trying to have a bowel movement).

There’s no magic switch that will come out and leave everything else inside, so if you start pushing, chances are that poop will come out.

How to find relief

Not everyone defecates on the delivery table, but when they do, doctors and nurses don’t seem to mind. “Obstetricians are not weak people,” Dr. Greenfield insists.

In fact, if you’re able to have a bowel movement, it means you’re clearing your bowels correctly and pushing properly, says Dr. Riley. And the delivery room nurses were prepared for this, rushing in to discreetly wipe up whatever came out. Thanks to all this quick cleaning and the epidural, many new parents (and other visitors to the delivery room) don’t realize that a beautiful baby has been born.

Bowel movements are a normal part of birth and life, a part of being human, and nothing to be ashamed of.

insomnia

You’re probably aware that pregnancy can be exhausting, at least during the first and second trimester. But some women experience insomnia during pregnancy, with or without fatigue.

Insomnia is common and can be an early symptom of pregnancy, but can also occur during pregnancy and after giving birth. It can manifest as trouble falling asleep or waking up and not being able to fall asleep again (for example, having to go to the toilet in the middle of the night).

How to find relief

Remember that insomnia usually comes and goes. The condition may be more prevalent in the first and second trimester, or it may go completely unnoticed. Both extremes are normal. Exercise, reducing caffeine intake, and relaxation are key steps to alleviating insomnia without medication.