There are numerous pregnancy signs that women all over the world experience. Some are common, and some are not very common. Discussed here are the less common signs of pregnancy:
#Acne
Acne is a problem that is further varied to every individual. Some women may experience their acne to become better during pregnancy, while some may experience acne for the first time in life and too at a terrible rate.
Acne includes red bumps in the skin that seem inflamed, and white and blackheads are included in the category. This problem is at its peak in the first three months of pregnancy as hormones rapidly change, especially progesterone. This frequent change in hormones can result in pimples on various parts of the upper body besides excessive oil in the skin resulting in acne.
A natural way to keep your pores clean is to drink lots of water, wash your skin regularly, and wear lightweight and breathable maternity clothes. You can also use a mild cleanser before a non-clogging gentle moisturizer. One with an effective sunscreen should be preferred, whereas any product that contains salicylic acid should be avoided as it is suspected to have adverse effects on pregnant women.
Over-the-counter acne medicines are also a way but make sure to consult your doctor before taking any medications. A commonly prescribed solution to acne is Accutane or isotretinoin, which can cause miscarriage if taken in the first trimester, so avoid it at all costs.
#Heartburn
Another less common pregnancy sign that is relatively common compared to the latter is heartburn or reflux. Heartburn refers to the burning sensation that is felt in the chest area commonly after eating. In some cases, a bitter taste or acid is felt in the mouth, and also pain is experienced when you lie or bend down. This pain may be severe to some and lighter to others. It is estimated that almost 25% of pregnant women experience heartburn from the first trimester, which gets more intense at the last trimester. Heartburn also gets intense as the weight of the growing baby compresses the digestive tract. In such a situation, it is advised to eat small meals at small intervals as a large meal will cause you heartburn, especially if you lie down straight after eating.
Also, some changes can be made to ease reflux of mild nature. Firstly avoid all kinds of spicy and acidic foods; also, abstain from late-night meals. Smoking and alcohol should be completely restricted as they are responsible for reflux and the baby’s overall health. Lastly, use an extra pillow as keeping your head a little higher may help fight reflux problems.
#Sciatic Nerve Pain
Another less common pregnancy sign is sciatic nerve pain. This refers to the severe pain experienced in the buttocks to the back or the side of the legs. This pain is usually experienced in the later stages of pregnancy and generally felt from the uterus in the pelvis area to the legs. This pain occurs mainly due to the growing size and weight of the uterus. A suggested way to get relief from this nerve pain is to lie down on the other side to relieve pain from that particular nerve.
#Swollen Feet
Another less common symptom of pregnancy is swelling of feet, fingers, and in some cases, ankles too. As there is a large amount of fluid in your body sometimes, it gets accumulated in your legs and causes them to swell. If a pregnant woman must stand for long periods in a hot atmosphere, her feet and ankles are bound to swell. It was a common belief that supplements, especially calcium, may relieve swelling, but studies have proved against it. Some of the best natural ways to reduce swelling are:
- Soak your feet in cool water
- Rest with your legs elevated
- Avoid clothing that’s tight around your ankles
- Do a few minutes of walking and simple leg exercises
- Reduce your salt intake
- Wear four-way stretch maternity leggings
- Avoid extended periods of standing
- Wear comfortable shoes and avoid high heels
#Spider Veins
Another bizarre pregnancy sign is the development of spider veins. These refer to the veins in the upper arms and the chest, which seem like spider legs. This symptom causes many women to worry though it should not be concerning. This mainly occurs due to the excessive blood flow in the pregnant woman’s body.
#Hypersalivation
An early symptom is the production of excessive saliva in the mouth. This is experienced generally in the first three months and may cause drooling mouth while sleeping or even nausea. This is a very discomforting symptom and painful too in cases of morning sickness. The reason for this is again hormonal changes, and once the body adjusts to it, this symptom is over with, so it should not be anything of concern.
Also, during pregnancy, mucous membrane areas such as gums and noses become sensitive and swell in some cases. It is common to experience bleeding gums while brushing and bleeding noses too when blowing hard. Some women experience constant runny noses or constantly stuffy noses.
Again, increased production of progesterone hormones is behind this symptom. Your gums may react intensively to this hormone by responding more sensitively to gums bacteria. This situation is also referred to as pregnancy gingivitis. This pregnancy gingivitis is suffered by almost 50% of pregnant women.
#Vivid Dreams
Many pregnant women report having vivid dreams. In some cases, they are related to the baby or the pregnancy, whereas it is entirely unfocused in some cases. Excessive hormone production is thought to be behind these dreams as well.
#Palmar Erythema
Palmar erythema is the reddishness experienced in soles and palms. These skin changes occur due to the excessive mixed production of hormones. There is nothing to be concerned about as it is reversible, but you will have to wait until the baby arrives for it to go. Now you know that each pregnant woman will display their pregnancy signs differently, and some will be those less common pregnancy signs.
