I was definitely not one of those women who gracefully floated through pregnancy for 9 months, looking like I was smuggling a small basketball under my shirt, then quickly popped out a baby on my way back into the pilates studio. Of course, that’s how I (naively) envisioned it all going down for me.
All three of my pregnancies were much more…swollen. For most of 2013, 2015 and 2016 I felt like I was barely surviving a semi-couch bound existence as an overinflated water balloon on the verge of exploding (emotionally and physically).
I gained between 50 and 60 lbs with each pregnancy, but the weight gain was only the tip of the iceberg. I had so many odd and uncomfortable side effects of pregnancy that I constantly found myself wondering, “Why doesn’t anyone tell you about this part of motherhood?!”
So today I’m going to share some of the gnarliest and strangest parts of my pregnancies I wish I would have been told so I didn’t feel so alone. For the men out there who may be reading this, you most likely want to stop now.
Weird Skin Issues
Did you know that you are more likely to experience yeast infections while pregnant? Due to rising estrogen levels and strange bacteria during pregnancy, candida (the bacteria that causes a yeast infection) overgrowth is common. But lucky me, I experienced a yeast infection on the skin of my leg. I’ll spare your eyes a picture, but just imagine the grossest rash you’ve ever seen, and located on your inner thigh. It was incredibly painful and difficult to get rid of. I didn’t even know that a yeast infection on your skin was a “thing”, but now you know.
Swelling Beyond Belief
I experienced horrific swelling with all three pregnancies. Thankfully the worst of it didn’t happen until the third trimester, but I was in utter shock at what was happening to my body. I would literally gain 5-10 pounds per week during the last trimester of my pregnancies of what I’m assuming was mostly water weight (and Oreos). I’ve included a picture for your enjoyment and entertainment.
Now imagine that foot swelling, but covering my entire body…giant swollen hands and face included. Ugh. So gross.
Night Sweats
Would you like to know the world’s fastest weight loss plan? Have a baby after being incredibly swollen! The weight comes flying off. But, would you like to know where it goes? All of that fluid has to come out somehow – and for me, it came out in the form of horrible night sweats. Right after my babies were born, and for the following 6 weeks or so, I would wake up in the middle of the night each night convinced my husband had messed with the thermostat. Absolutely soaking wet with sweat. Every night it felt like I just jumped in a swimming pool. As gross as this side effect was, my husband (bless him) loved to remind me at least the weight was coming off somehow!
Veins, Veins EVERYWHERE
I’m certain this is related to my swelling, increased blood volume and the resulting weight gain, but my feet, legs, and lady parts were absolutely covered in spider and varicose veins during pregnancy. The throbbing and heavy pressure I felt on the lower half of my body was absolutely the most painful part of the pregnancies. And it got worse with each consecutive pregnancy! I tried every dang compression stocking, sock sleeve, and underwear (yes, its a product on Amazon) there was. None of it made a difference. My lower body looked like a blue lumpy and bumpy roadmap. I’m happy to report that 98% of the veins disappeared post pregnancy.
Despite all of the crazy discomforts of pregnancy and the postpartum periods of my life, of course, my three children were so worth it. They have been the most “worth it” things I’ve ever done. I’d sacrifice my body and my health a hundred times over again if it meant I got my three girls.
What symptoms did you have that you wish you would have been told about? Share with us below or on social media.
