7 unexpected pregnancy side effects

During pregnancy, some women develop health complications. Some tend to disappear gradually, while others continue throughout the pregnancy. Some of the uncommon pregnancy side effects include:

1. Loss of teeth

An increase in levels of certain hormones, like progesterone and estrogen, in your body during pregnancy can increase your risk for certain oral health problems. The foods you take during pregnancy affect your oral health. With cravings creeping in, you might lose track of the sugar levels that you consume.

2. Loss of vision

Pregnancy can change vision by making your eyes more sensitive to light, causing headaches or migraine pain. One way to help reduce headache pain is by wearing sunglasses with a mirror coating to reflect the sun’s glare.

3. Diastasis recti

Diastasis recti are the partial or complete separation of the rectus abdominis, or six-pack muscles, which meet at the midline of your belly. It is common during and after pregnancy as the uterus stretches the abdomen muscles to accommodate your growing baby.

If you are wondering why your mummy pouch doesn’t seem to go away even after intense exercises, this could be the reason.

The condition isn’t limited to pregnancy as it can affect anyone, including new-born babies and men. In some cases, it can result from lifting heavy weights wrongly or performing excessive or unsafe abdominal exercises.

4. Sciatica

Though slightly different from diastasis recti, sciatica pain is caused by irritation, inflammation, pinching, or compression of a nerve in the lower back. During pregnancy, sciatic pain is caused when the growing baby and the expanding uterus insert a lot of pain on the sciatic nerve. Get a massage on your lower back to relax and avoid sciatica. Also, avoid sitting for long periods. There are also sciatic nerve pain exercises online.

5.  Hyperemesis Gravidarum

This is a severe type of nausea throughout the pregnancy. While the nausea feeling fades in the first few months for some women, it may persist in some women. Some symptoms may include nausea and vomiting to the extent that you experience extreme weight loss.

This can trickle down to the child as they would not get enough nutrients and may be born premature with conditions such as psoriasis.

6.  Increased foot size

Pregnancy has been found to increase a woman’s foot size, a change that is sometimes reported to be permanent. According to study researcher Neil Segal, an associate professor of orthopedics and rehabilitation at the University of Lowa, The change in foot size may be due to the extra weight that women carry around during pregnancy, which puts greater stress on the feet, and, thus, may flatten the arch, the researcher said.

Besides, pregnant women produce hormones that increase the looseness of the joints and ligaments (tissue that connects bone to bone), possibly making the foot structure more malleable. Changes in the feet during pregnancy may explain why women are at increased risk for pain or arthritis in their feet, knees, hips, and spine than men, Segal said. A flattened foot can strain the ligaments in the foot’s sole, causing changes in gait that put extra strain on the knees, Segal said.

7. Heartburn

Heartburn is a form of indigestion that is common in pregnancy. It is caused by hormonal changes and the growing baby pressing against your stomach. It is also caused by eating highly spicy foods, mint, carbonated beverages, fatty foods, processed meats, chocolate, caffeine, and citrus.

Other side effects of pregnancies include: Leg cramps, hair loss, morning sickness that develops into ulcers, severe anxiety, weakened bones, heartburn, and skin sensitivity.

Featured Image: Woman experiencing labour pains. [Source: Girls Gone Strong.]