Pregnancy Symptoms: What No One Tells You

When most people think of pregnancy discomforts, they envision a woman throwing up a few times, mourning her stretch marks, and having a few odd cravings. Well, most people know less about pregnancy than they think they do. Some women will have easy pregnancies when those truly are their only complaints. Some women will have complicated ones where their lives may even be in danger. Even women having totally uncomplicated pregnancies may find themselves completely miserable. Everyone is different, and so is every pregnancy.

I wasn't prepared for what happened to my body during pregnancy. Of course, I knew I might throw up here and there. I knew I'd have cravings. I understood that my belly would triple in size. Some of my reading had even prepared me for a few lesser-known side effects of my condition, such as sore breasts and the dark line that formed connecting my belly button to my pelvis. Unfortunately, there were a lot of things that happened to me that were a total shock and surprise.

I had hoped I wouldn't get any stretch marks but knew they were possible. No one told me, though, that I might find my thighs and butt would resemble those belonging to a zebra. Like I said before, I knew nausea was a possibility, but I didn't know it was possible for morning sickness to plague you right up into the third trimester. I knew I'd have cravings even late at night, but no one told me I might want nothing but McDonald's fries for a whole week. Or Taco Bell the next week.

I had a lot of the usual pregnancy symptoms; mine were just exaggerated for some reason. I also experienced some pregnancy symptoms that are quite normal but which no one warned me about. For example, no one told me that throughout the first trimester -- and at random intervals throughout pregnancy -- I'd find myself utterly exhausted just from getting out of the bed. I was not informed that there'd be moments when I suddenly felt so ravenously hungry that I'd eat anything edible in sight.

Some of my symptoms were completely out of this world. I had never heard any of these could happen--because they don't usually. I had horrible insomnia. Until I discovered melatonin and valerian root, I had to stay awake until I could no longer keep my eyes open just to get a few hours of rest. Hives appeared all over my trunk for no apparent reason once. I also had itching attacks, again for no reason, that would keep me up all night literally clawing at my skin.

I wasn't warned that my nose could run the entire time I was pregnant. No one told me that, despite not menstruating, I'd have to wear pads throughout the pregnancy anyway. I didn't know you could start lactating at 16 weeks, so when a few drops of colustrum came out of nipples at that time, it was a bit of a surprise. Until later in the pregnancy, I didn't even know I had a mucus plug much less that I would lose it. I'd have liked more time to warm up to that idea.

My boobs got huge, too. That was nice for my husband. I knew they'd get big when I was breastfeeding but not while I was expecting. I was so excited to feel fetal movement around 15 weeks, elated. Feeling your baby move is wonderful. Unfortunately, none of those who'd gone before me thought to let me know in advance that my son might drop-kick me in the cervix, punch my bladder, or wedge his foot into my rib cage. I knew I'd have to drink lots of water, but not that my body would retain it and swell so that I could no longer wear my wedding bands.

I certainly wasn't warned about the many instruments that would find their way into my vagina prior to my giving birth. My first prenatal check-up could best be described in these words: "Hey, hey, hey...where do you think you're gonna stick that?" Speculums, Q-tips, fingers, ultrasound wands... In a different context, that might have been kinky--but it wasn't!

Flash forward to labor! No one told me that in the days prior to going into labor, I might be plagued with diarrhea and nausea. I knew labor would be long, but I didn't know it could also be accompanied by ten hours of prelabor contractions that were just intense and frequent enough to keep you from sleeping. Here's a tip: push like you're pooping. You might do just that. I was lucky enough that only my son graced us with his presence, not my poop.

I was lucky. I had a friend who had to be on bedrest for weeks. This pregnancy has been a lot easier on me. Last time I could have sworn I was having twins (from Mars)! Some believe that stress and fear can cause your pregnancy symptoms to be more intense. I had a lot of tension related to being a mother for the first time and giving birth when I'd never done it before. This time I know what to expect, am more confident, and have more knowledge. I had mild morning sickness until 14 weeks, and my only other complaints have been headaches and fatigue. (Maybe this baby is a girl?)

If this all sounds dismal, remember that pregnancy is different for everyone. You may or may not have these symptoms. They may or may not be intense. Be forewarned though: you may cough, hiccup, or sneeze, and suddenly leak urine. I just want you to know about all of the many different, wonderful things that could happen. Pregnancy isn't always just stretch marks and a little nausea. Just be prepared for what can happen. Remember, even if you have an easy time of pregnancy, not everyone does, so don't judge women too harshly who don't paint a picture of pregnancy being a picnic!