“I’m not sick, I’m pregnant!” you think to yourself, but the side effects of pregnancy are still bothering you?
You are not alone, as most pregnant women struggle with symptoms that are typical of pregnancy.
But since many expectant mothers are also plagued with worries and fears, they naturally want to know what is normal.
It goes without saying that the female body goes through many changes during pregnancy. After all, a child is growing inside your body.
To care for the unborn child, your body not only adjusts its hormonal balance, but also your metabolism, cardiovascular system, and other organs adapt to this enormous task.
It is therefore no wonder that unpleasant side effects occur, of which morning sickness is only the most well-known.
Some women even look forward to the symptoms because their desire to have a child will finally be fulfilled. Others find comfort in experiencing the side effects.
But some women suffer from severe symptoms that make their lives really difficult.
Of course, pregnancy is not an illness, but it is a peak performance of the body that pushes expectant mothers to their limits.
This should definitely be respected. Unfortunately, it’s little consolation when you read everywhere: Hang in there, the side effects will soon subside!
But especially in the first trimester, there’s no other option than to grit your teeth and get through it! This is usually rewarded later in the pregnancy with a special energy boost and a new, fantastic feeling about your body.
In this article, you will not only learn about the common side effects of pregnancy, but also find tips for relief.
What symptoms are normal in early pregnancy?
1. Nausea and vomiting
Statistics show that more than half of women suffer from the notorious nausea at the beginning of pregnancy, which can also be accompanied by vomiting . Many simply experience an upset stomach and unpleasant nausea.
Nausea can occur not only in the morning, but throughout the day, usually without any warning. Often, the upset stomach reacts badly to certain smells and foods. And, contrary to expectations, the nausea improves after a light meal.
Isn’t it surprising that science still doesn’t have a precise explanation for why morning sickness occurs?
Some blame the hormone hCG for the sharp rise in the first trimester. Others suspect that this is the expectant mother’s body’s way of dealing with the foreign cells.
The accompanying symptom can also be related to psychological factors or low blood pressure.
A particularly severe form of nausea is called hyperemesis gravidarum. Persistent, severe vomiting must be diagnosed and treated by a doctor. Otherwise, vitamin and fluid deficiencies, as well as metabolic disorders, are a risk.
What helps?
Eating a small meal not only in the morning before getting up is helpful for the usual nausea and upset stomach.
You can also eat a piece of crispbread or rusk, reach for low-fat cheese or yogurt, or even bite into an apple. This will temporarily banish the urge to vomit.
You should avoid caffeine and fatty foods. You probably won’t feel like it anyway. Water might even make your symptoms worse.
You should still drink plenty of fluids, so opt for herbal and fruit teas instead. Chamomile and rooibos, for example, are safe.
2. Exciting breasts
The hormonal changes can also be felt in the breasts, in some cases even before the pregnancy test is positive.
A noticeable or even painful tightness in the breast develops. Itching may also occur. This is in preparation for breastfeeding .
This symptom, which is particularly typical in early pregnancy, often subsides after the first trimester.
What helps?
Comfortable bras that fit well and don’t pinch are a good choice anyway. You can also massage your breasts with natural creams, lotions, or oils to relieve discomfort.
3. Constipation
Nausea and vomiting on the one hand, and constipation and sluggish bowels on the other. Under the influence of hormones (especially progesterone), the bowel functions more slowly. Therefore, pregnant women often suffer from constipation and flatulence early on.
What helps?
With such symptoms, it’s especially important to drink plenty of fluids. Two to three liters per day is recommended. Sounds like a lot? But it actually helps!
Of course, nutrition also plays an important role during pregnancy . You certainly can’t go wrong with whole grain products, fruits, and vegetables.
And the most important thing is to eat fresh food, regularly consume warm meals, and often drink broth. This will relieve the symptoms. Dried prunes (compote) and flaxseed are classic home remedies for constipation.
You should not take any laxatives, including herbal ones, from the pharmacy without consulting your midwife or gynecologist.
Also, avoid straining during bowel movements; instead, let things flow naturally and take your time. Otherwise, your risk of hemorrhoids increases.
3. Cravings and unusual cravings
Pickles with chocolate? I’d love to know who started this myth, because it’s on everyone’s lips. Women can indeed develop sudden, surprising cravings, but such eccentric combinations aren’t common.
Foods you enjoyed before, or even yesterday, may no longer be tolerable the next day. If you recently enjoyed devouring chicken, you suddenly can’t stand meat.
The well-known cravings are caused by low blood sugar. This is related to the hormone insulin, which is produced in greater quantities during pregnancy. This causes blood sugar levels to drop more quickly.
Some pregnant women then reach for sweets, but this isn’t a good idea. Excessive sugar consumption can lead to gestational diabetes.
What helps?
Instead, you should eat fruit, fresh vegetables or nuts whenever you feel like something sweet.
Several small meals spread throughout the day are also better than three or two large ones. This change shouldn’t be difficult for you, however, as your body will require more frequent food intake anyway.
However, your calorie needs will only increase slightly, so don’t necessarily eat for two! Variety and a healthy diet are much more important than the amount consumed.
4. Shortness of breath
One side effect of pregnancy that isn’t always mentioned is shortness of breath. When you stand up, you may feel like you’re barely able to breathe. Climbing stairs and going uphill can also quickly make you out of breath.
Hormonal changes are also responsible for this symptom. But you don’t need to worry, because your chest expands and you breathe more deeply.
This may seem stressful to you, but by the 20th week of pregnancy (SSW) things will have returned to normal.
Towards the end of pregnancy, the uterus presses against the diaphragm, compressing the lungs and straining the heart, thus limiting breathing volume. This can lead to difficulty breathing again.
What helps?
You can combat shortness of breath with sufficient exercise, especially in the fresh air, as well as with prenatal yoga and breathing exercises. Also, give yourself enough rest, which your body needs to process the stress.
5. Dizziness
In early pregnancy, your cardiovascular system changes, which can lead to dizziness.
No wonder, because your blood vessels dilate, you produce more blood (!), and your heart has to work harder. On top of that, your blood pressure drops in the first few weeks.
So, occasional feelings of weakness and dizziness are understandable and usually nothing to worry about. However, if dizziness persists into the second half of your pregnancy, you should consult your doctor.
Rarely, anemia or high blood pressure is the underlying cause.
What helps?
It’s best to always have something to snack on, such as rusks, bananas, or apples. Drinking plenty of fluids is also important to combat these symptoms. If you feel dizzy, lie down and put your feet up.
In addition to exercise, alternating showers can also be helpful.
What symptoms are common later in pregnancy?
6. Heartburn
Stomach acid that enters the esophagus and causes irritation leads to heartburn. Because the unborn child exerts increasing pressure on the stomach over time, most women suffer from this side effect during the last trimester.
Pregnancy hormones also relax tendons and muscles. This also applies to the sphincter between the stomach and esophagus. This makes it easy for stomach acid to reach the sphincter.
What helps?
Chewing food slowly provides initial relief from heartburn. This common complaint is another reason to eat less but more often. Small meals should also be avoided before bedtime.
7. Varicose veins
About half of expectant mothers frequently suffer from varicose veins during pregnancy. This side effect can also occur in the first trimester.
Your body produces more blood, and your baby puts greater pressure on your blood vessels later on. This makes it harder for the blood to flow, leading to unpleasant varicose veins. The feeling of tension in your legs can be a problem.
What helps?
Compression stockings have proven helpful for treating varicose veins. Consult a doctor who can prescribe them for you. With the prescription, you can then purchase them from a medical specialist. Feel free to ask for advice there.
8. Why do pregnant women retain water?
Your veins carry more blood during pregnancy and become more permeable due to hormonal changes.
This also allows fluid to easily drain from the blood vessels into the surrounding tissue. If it accumulates there, the typical water retention, also known as edema, occurs.
Feet and legs are particularly affected by edema in late pregnancy. However, in some pregnant women, the face and hands are also affected.
These symptoms are usually harmless. However, if you experience water retention, varicose veins, and high blood pressure during the first trimester, you should definitely see your doctor.
In rare cases, preeclampsia, commonly known as pregnancy poisoning , can occur .
What helps?
Once again: sufficient exercise often works wonders. You can try swimming. Doctors also recommend this exercise, even in moderation, for pregnant women. It can even help prevent water retention.
Good circulation is helpful for edema, so try contrast showers. Avoid standing for long periods as much as possible and put your legs up every now and then.
This improves the return flow of blood and excess water can be removed more easily.
9. Bladder weakness
Bladder weakness is most noticeable in women during the last months of pregnancy. However, frequent urination also occurs in early pregnancy.
The improved blood flow to the kidneys and the hormonal changes are initially responsible for the symptoms. They affect the kidneys and the bladder sphincter, causing you to need to go to the bathroom more often, even if your bladder isn’t full yet.
In the last trimester, involuntary urine loss occurs primarily in women giving birth for the second or third time. In addition to the reasons mentioned above, increased pressure on the uterus also contributes to this.
What helps?
In childbirth preparation classes, midwives demonstrate exercises for the pelvic floor. We don’t consciously use the pelvic floor in everyday life. However, during pregnancy, it is subjected to enormous strain and should be trained.
This can help prevent long-term bladder weakness after birth.
10. Hemorrhoids
Actually, we all have hemorrhoids, because this network of blood vessels securely seals the anus and is part of the sphincter.
But when hemorrhoids enlarge and become inflamed, very unpleasant symptoms arise.
The uterus continues to grow and become heavier, compressing the veins in the pelvis. This causes intestinal problems such as hemorrhoids, which can persist into the postpartum period . This is usually caused by the intense straining during childbirth.
At first, those affected notice slight traces of blood on the toilet paper. This is accompanied by itching and burning in the anus area. Women are understandably reluctant to talk about this highly unpleasant, but usually harmless, side effect.
But the midwife can help.
What helps?
Increased fluid intake is particularly important for regulating bowel movements. Certain ointments can also support the regression of hemorrhoids after childbirth.
11. Back pain
Pregnancy hormones loosen joints, ligaments and muscles in the pelvis and spine, causing back pain in pregnant women.
So it hurts even when the uterine ligaments stretch to allow the uterus to grow. This applies to other areas of the body as well.
Back pain can occur even in the first months of pregnancy.
The larger the belly gets, the more women arch their backs. This worsens the discomfort, which only subsides after birth.
What helps?
Avoiding heavy lifting, standing for long periods, and wearing flat shoes are all helpful measures for preventing back pain. You should also give your back plenty of rest and take warm showers.
Above all, regular exercise and light sports like swimming and yoga strengthen the back muscles. Even walking can help. Make sure you maintain an upright posture.
Many midwives offer support services such as osteopathy and acupuncture. If you prefer conventional medicine, you may also consider physiotherapy for severe symptoms. Your doctor will refer you.
12. Dental problems
The blood flow to the gums also increases during pregnancy, so bleeding gums often occur. Saliva changes and becomes more acidic. This can unfortunately lead to tooth decay and inflammation.
What helps?
Good dental and oral hygiene is, of course, essential as a preventative measure against dental problems. You should also clean between your teeth regularly. It’s best to use a soft toothbrush.
As difficult as it may be, limit your consumption of sweet and sour foods to avoid making the acid in your mouth worse.
If you’re vomiting, stomach acid will attack your teeth. Rinse your mouth with water and brush your teeth after half an hour.
Also, take the advice to make an appointment with your dentist as early as possible. Ideally, you’ll have already scheduled a dental appointment as part of your pregnancy preparation .
13. Calf cramps
Pregnant women sometimes suffer from painful calf cramps, especially during increased physical exertion. Altered metabolism and a deficiency in minerals such as magnesium and calcium can also be causes.
What helps?
When cramps occur, stretching the affected muscles is the first step. You’ll instinctively stretch your leg and point your toes toward you.
If the pain allows, walk around for a while, as exercise is also helpful.
As with most other accompanying symptoms, it’s important to drink plenty of fluids, exercise regularly, and eat a healthy diet. This also helps prevent calf cramps.
Otherwise, regular stretching exercises, heat treatment of the affected areas and massages can prevent cramps.
14. Stretch marks
A rather visually unpleasant side effect that women experience in other circumstances is stretch marks. The skin stretches and the connective tissue is stressed.
Areas particularly affected are the breasts, stomach, thighs, and buttocks. Whether you’re prone to the stripes is also genetic.
Stretch marks can be itchy or tight, and thus uncomfortable in this sense as well. They will narrow and fade after delivery. However, they never completely disappear.
What helps?
From the very beginning of your pregnancy, you should apply moisturizer regularly to support your skin’s elasticity. Massages with oils, contrast showers, and exercise can also help prevent stretch marks.
15. Hair loss
Hormonal changes don’t stop at hair either. Some women find their hair shinier and fuller during pregnancy. This is due to the increased estrogen levels.
Others experience hair loss even before giving birth . But don’t panic, it’s temporary, and the hair will grow back.
What helps?
A healthy diet is the best way to combat unwanted hair loss during pregnancy and the postpartum period. While you may want to use special products, it’s best to use mild shampoos.
You should be gentle on your scalp and hair. Don’t tie your hair too tightly or too tightly, as this could cause even more hair loss.
And massage your head regularly, as this stimulates the hair follicles. You can use olive oil or coconut oil for this.
Otherwise, be patient. New hair will grow back soon.
FAQ – Frequently asked questions and answers
1. What should you avoid in early pregnancy?
Nicotine and alcohol are, of course, at the top of the red list of prohibited stimulants throughout pregnancy!
But raw foods of animal origin , such as raw meat and fish, raw eggs, and dairy products made from raw milk, are also taboo. So always cook or fry everything thoroughly and pay attention to hygiene in the kitchen.
Sports with an increased risk of falls, such as horseback riding or ice skating, are discouraged even in early pregnancy. However, this is not taboo.
If you’re completely confident on your horse and are particularly careful, then you can ride it starting at the 12th week of pregnancy, provided your gynecologist has no objections.
If you’re scheduled to have an x-ray taken at the dentist, you should definitely inform them about your pregnancy, as x-rays can harm the unborn child and are best postponed until after the birth.
You should be careful not only with food, but also with personal care products during early pregnancy. Harmful substances in cosmetics such as parabens, salicylic acid, fruit acids, and vitamin A in personal care products are not safe for your unborn child!
So it’s best to choose natural cosmetics and organic products and always pay close attention to the ingredients. Maybe now isn’t the best time to get artificial nails for the first time.
But if you have found a good nail salon that you trust, then this is not taboo either.
Some pregnant women feel desire but are afraid of having sexual intercourse with their partner.
Perhaps you have read that after a previous miscarriage you should refrain from sexual intercourse during your next pregnancy?
However, if you feel well and your gynecologist hasn’t noticed any abnormalities, you can go ahead. Your baby is well protected from shocks and certainly can’t be hurt during intercourse.
You’re also allowed to fly in early pregnancy, which may surprise you. Ask your midwife or gynecologist to be absolutely sure.
2. What should I take during pregnancy?
What women can’t go wrong with if they want to have children is taking folic acid in the form of dietary supplements.
Since natural folates are very sensitive, even a balanced and healthy diet cannot meet the increased needs of pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers.
Please discuss everything else with your gynecologist and avoid taking any more artificial vitamins on your own.
Instead, make sure you regularly eat fruits and vegetables, whole grain products, and the occasional fish and meat. Then your baby shouldn’t miss out on anything.
Your doctor will advise you if you should take something extra, such as iron, zinc or iodine.
3. When do pregnancy symptoms subside?
As you have read in this article, some pregnancy symptoms are typical for early pregnancy and some for late pregnancy.
Tiredness and exhaustion, nausea, dizziness, tender breasts and shortness of breath subside from around the 10th week of pregnancy.
Afterward, the risk of miscarriage also drops significantly, and expectant mothers are relieved. Some feel comfortable for the first time during their pregnancy.
As pregnancy progresses, symptoms such as back pain, varicose veins, water retention, hemorrhoids, and heartburn accompany the process. Unfortunately, many women suffer from various symptoms throughout their pregnancy.
4. What can you do to make pregnancy more bearable?
Avoiding stress and hecticness, maintaining a healthy diet, and staying active – these are the three pillars that will help you keep pregnancy symptoms under control.
Pregnancy is a huge change for women. Many habits must be abandoned.
Many people are only realizing during this extraordinary time that they haven’t exactly been living a healthy lifestyle. Some find it difficult to give up certain things.
All of this is a process that is not completed overnight with a positive pregnancy test.
Even women who have wanted to have children for a long time and are now pregnant still have concerns, especially in early pregnancy.
Such sacrifice can be detrimental to the mind. The psyche has a tremendous impact on the expectant mother’s well-being.
In many cases, it’s not that difficult for pregnant women to change their habits. If only there weren’t others who give free rein to their cravings!
If such a worm starts gnawing at you, please remember: You’re making every effort to live a healthy life for your child’s sake. This will also be necessary once it’s born. You can only win!
Even if you feel the urge for a glass of wine or a cigarette, don’t think about how lucky women who aren’t pregnant have it.
That’s completely wrong! Yes, we all have our little addictions and bad, but beloved habits.
But it’s not true that these are what make life worth living. Instead, be proud of yourself!
After all, you’re the one who’s already setting the course for a healthy life for you and your family. What could be more important and praiseworthy?
Final thoughts
Pregnancy is not an illness, but it is a daunting feat of the female body that can be accompanied by many unpleasant side effects.
Most people are aware of the infamous morning sickness, but there are other symptoms besides that.
In this article you will learn which side effects of pregnancy are common in the first and later trimesters.
There are also tips on how to deal with them, prevent them, or at least make them more bearable.
Finally, I’ll answer common questions among pregnant women. It’s important to me that you feel proud of yourself.
Your efforts to lead a healthy lifestyle and your strength to endure the discomfort are admirable.
You will notice: the healthier you eat and the more regularly you exercise, the more bearable the side effects will be.
Now your body is forcing you to live a healthy lifestyle. Please also pay attention to your mental well-being.
When your body and mind are in harmony, you can enjoy your pregnancy to the fullest.
Wishing you all the best!
