8 Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Pregnancy

Oh the beauty of carrying a life inside your body! Pregnancy is indeed such a wonderful and beautiful experience, and everything that comes with it–from getting through all those weird cravings, painful kicks, morning sickness, and everything else in between–just leaves us all in awe at how amazing a woman’s body truly is. If you’re a mom-to-be, learn more about how fascinating your body truly is with these facts we bet you didn’t know about pregnancy.

Baby and Breakfast: Pregnancy 8 Facts You Probably Didn't Know About Pregnancy

 

1. Bleeding gums and nosebleeds are normal.

Triggered by hormonal changes in your body, blood flow will increase in your mouth and nasal passages which can cause bleeding gums and nosebleeds.

 

2.  Your uterus expands 500 times its normal size!

While it’s to be expected that your body will be preparing to fit a human being inside you, knowing that it can expand 500 times its normal size is still quite a factoid to swallow. Now if this does not amaze you, I don’t know what will!

 

3. Disturbing dreams, especially during the third trimester, become common.

It may be worrisome for some to experience disturbing dreams while pregnant, but according to Ernst G. Bartsich, MD, associate clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the Cornell Medical Center in New York City, these dreams are normal, especially for first-time moms, who have certain fears of giving birth and motherhood. But don’t worry, those will pass too!

 

4. Early lactation can happen.

As weird as it may seem, early lactation can actually be stimulated by certain factors, such as the massage from a warm shower, or the heat from a blow dryer. According to WebMD, increasing levels of the hormone called prolactin in the blood, causes milk production.

 

5. Your baby can taste what you eat.

Research has shown that your baby can taste what you eat. It may not be as distinct as how you can taste a certain food, but he or she will surely be able to start recognizing foods, and might even hiccup when you eat something spicy. This is why it is recommended for pregnant woman to eat a variety of healthy food to help set your baby’s palate, and get him or her to love eating vegetables and fruits once he or she is ready to start eating solids.

 

6. The size of your heart increases by about 12% during pregnancy.

No, it’s not a metaphor for the love you feel towards you little one, even though it’s a pretty amazing one. But rather, quite literally, your heart actually grows when you are pregnant. Aside from your heart working harder and beating faster due to the increase of blood in your body, the diaphragm and the heart are also pushed, and your other organs adapt to the changes in your body too.

 

7. Your body grows an entire organ!

Curious what the placenta is for? The placenta is actually in charge of providing oxygen and nutrients to your growing little human. It also plays an important role in waste removal. Along with your baby, it grows inside your body and is connected to the umbilical cord. Once your baby is born, the placenta’s job is done and will also be removed from your body.

 

8. You loosen up and your joints soften.

While you’re pregnant, your body produces a hormone called relaxin, which helps soften your ligaments or the joints that hold your bones together. Your pelvic bone also begins to move to prepare for your baby’s birth. Don’t worry though, because once the baby is out, your joints will firm up again.

 

It truly is amazing how a woman’s body changes to make way for a new life to grow and begin, which is why, no matter what shape, or size you’re in, your body will always be one of the most beautiful things that ever existed.

 

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