To say that pregnancy is an amazing experience is truly an understatement. The changes a woman experiences during pregnancy affect every aspect of her existence.
Her body, mind, and heart are all completely hijacked by the miracle of life.
Sometimes these changes come as a bit of a shock for expectant moms, so we’ve gathered the most bizarre facts about pregnancy to both enlighten and prepare you for the wild 10-month ride that is pregnancy.
That’s right, I said 10 months…
If you’re a first-time mom, you have every reason to believe that your pregnancy will last nine months, give or take a week or two, considering this “fact” seems to be taken as common knowledge.
However, your doctor will determine your ideal due date to be forty weeks from the first day of your last menstrual cycle. This means that the first two weeks of your pregnancy you’ve yet to conceive. So that accounts for two weeks of pregnancy that are often unaccounted for. What about the other two weeks?
In 2013, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, officially changed what’s considered to be a full-term pregnancy. The Today Show explains, “While 37 weeks has been considered full-term up until now, 39 to 40 weeks is the new definition (37 to 38 weeks will now be considered early term). Late term is now 41 to 42 weeks, and the poor unfortunate souls still pregnant past 42 weeks will be classified as postterm.”
When you add it all up you’ve got a total of forty weeks of pregnancy. While the first two weeks of pregnancy may seem gratuitous, let me tell you, the last two weeks of a full term pregnancy are no joke and each gloriously uncomfortable moment counts.
40 weeks, people. Do the math.
According to Facts of Life, “A woman’s brain shrinks during the third trimester of pregnancy and takes up to 6 months after giving birth to regain its full size.” So when you find yourself furiously searching for a diaper for fifteen minutes while you’ve already got one in your hand, or driving away with the diaper bag on top of the car, know that it’s just your “mom brain” messing with you.
Not only are you sleep deprived, you’re brain is actually missing a few much-needed brain cells. Don’t worry, they’ll be back. For 6 months, you officially have a legitimate excuse for any airhead moments or lapses in memory. Don’t hesitate to pull the “mom brain” card as needed.
During pregnancy, a woman’s heart increases in size so that it can pump the extra 40-50% of blood she has running through her veins. And it doesn’t just grow bigger; it beats faster, too. The walls of the ventricles thicken in order to pump all that extra blood. Extra blood and relaxed arteries allow the heart to beat more often without overexerting itself.
According to News Scientist, babies in the womb cannot only taste the food their mothers consume during pregnancy, but they actually prefer for those foods for the first few days after birth. So maybe go easy on the hot sauce, yeah?
Due to sudden fluctuations in hormone levels, many women report having dreams of an erotic nature during pregnancy, and even experience orgasms while asleep. According to Parent24.com, “Heightened libido is normal during pregnancy because your entire pelvic region is engorged with blood, making you far more sensitive.”
While I’ve heard my share of pregnancy sex dreams, I’ve yet to hear anyone complaining.
Implantation bleeding, swollen capillaries in the nether regions bursting after intercourse, or even an inflamed cervix can all cause bleeding during pregnancy that is non-threatening to your little bun in the oven. I should know. I experienced bleeding throughout two of my successful pregnancies due to a rare pregnancy complication, known as “subchorionic hematoma.”
While my personal experience with pregnancy bleeding was on the more serious side and did raise some concerns, I now have two little humans destroying my house as I type this, so try not to freak out if you notice some spotting. Call your doctor and know that everything could be just fine.
*This fact requires a disclaimer, as any bleeding during pregnancy requires an immediate call to your doctor.
Pregnancy Magazine reports that, while it’s extremely rare, it is possible for some women to conceive while already currently expecting. This can be explained by a rare phenomenon called superfetation, where women continue to ovulate during pregnancy. The result is two babies with completely different due dates. While technically it’s possible, there are only 10 reported cases of superfetation on record.
There are 7 types of twins, to be exact. While fraternal and identical twins are common, the other five types include Half-Identical, Mirror Image Twins, Mixed Chromosome Twins, Superfecundation, and Superfetation, and are extremely rare.
According to a 2006 study by Dr. Gary Steinman, taller women are more likely to conceive twins. Scientists believe that insulin-like growth factor could explain the link between height and twins as it has been positively identified to affect both genetic traits.
They may be tiny, but by 6 months in utero, babies fingerprints are fully developed, completely unique, and will remain that way throughout their life. According to UCSB Science, fingerprints are formed from pressure being applied to the fingers when the baby touches their surroundings.
Your uterus, once roughly the size of a peach ends up being the size of a watermelon by the end of pregnancy. But equally amazing is the fact that after giving birth, your giant watermelon uterus returns to its original size in only six weeks time. This process is referred to as involution. Talk about getting back into shape!
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the largest baby on record weighed 22 pounds and measured 28 inches long and was born on January 19th, 1879 in Seville, Ohio. And I thought giving birth to a 9.5 lb baby was rough.
That’s right. They cry, suck their thumbs, and while it’s currently debated, some claim that babies have been busted masturbating during sonograms. While that last one might be a little disturbing, let’s cut the little guys a break. They really thought they were alone at the time.
375 days, to be exact. Let’s all take a moment of silence to recognize Bella Hunter, the poor 25-year-old woman from Los Angeles, who endured an extra two months of being EXTREMELY pregnant. She deserves a statue in every maternity ward.
Bring some tissue and not just for crying. Nosebleeds can show up right from the start of pregnancy. Baby Center reports that 20% of pregnant women experience nosebleeds, compared to only 6% in non-pregnant women. The culprit: expanding blood vessels inside the nose combined with an increased blood supply.
According to Dr. Viehmann on Parents.com, “Anything that makes you think of your baby, like saying her name, talking about her, or even hearing another baby cry, causes your body to release oxytocin. It’s the same hormone that helps women bond with their babies, but, at times, a surge of oxytocin can cause lactating moms to leak.
Braxton Hicks Contractions are your body’s way of preparing for the big day and are perfectly normal. In fact, they’re a good thing. American Pregnancy explains:
Braxton Hicks contractions can begin as early as the second trimester. However, they are most commonly experienced in the third trimester. When this happens, the muscles of the uterus tighten for approximately 30 to 60 seconds, and sometimes as long as two minutes. undefined
More respectably known as the comfort technique, nipple stimulation is the only scientifically proven method of initiating labor. Once again, you have oxytocin to thank for getting things going.
That’s right, ladies. You just might get more bang for your buck in the bedroom while pregnant. You can thank increased blood flow downstairs for the afternoon delight. Pregnancy is filled with discomfort and sacrifice but we can’t say that it doesn’t have it’s silver-linings. Not to mention, you get a beautiful little baby at the end who makes every single weird symptom worth the wild ten-month ride.
