Top 5 Weird Pregnancy Symptoms

Pregnancy is a unique experience to live through, and most people expect certain symptoms to come with the territory. Nausea, vomiting, and even backaches are anticipated by many soon-to-be parents.

However, pregnancy can bring with it some strange symptoms that you may not be aware of—physical effects that new parents may encounter but don't often discuss. Here is a list of five pregnancy symptoms you may never have considered.

Nose Bleeds and Nasal Stuffiness

Your nose is so far away from your uterus; how could it be involved? But nose bleeds and stuffiness are very common due to an increase in the blood flow through your nose during pregnancy. In fact, the prevalence of nosebleeds is 20.3% in pregnancy compared with 6.2% in non-pregnant people.

You can treat the symptoms with natural remedies like using a humidifier or using a Neti pot to rinse your nasal passage with salt water. If that doesn't help, talk to a doctor or midwife for other options. Rest assured that aside from being inconvenient, nosebleeds and stuffiness during pregnancy are rarely severe.

Vaginal Discharge

When you're pregnant, you expect your periods to stop because you're no longer ovulating. However, you may not expect an increase in vaginal discharge (also known as leukorrhea).

Vaginal discharge will probably increase in amount until the birth of your baby. If there is ever a change in color or an odor, be sure to report it to a doctor or midwife.

Insomnia

You are probably familiar with the fact that pregnancy zaps your energy, at least during the first and third trimesters. With or without fatigue, though, some people also experience pregnancy insomnia.

Insomnia is common and can even be a sign that you're pregnant. It can manifest in the form of difficulty falling asleep or the inability to fall back to sleep after being awakened (such as by all those nighttime trips to the bathroom).

Keep in mind that insomnia is usually something that comes and goes. You might experience it more in the first and third trimesters, or you may not see it at all. Both extremes are normal.

Gastrointestinal Distress (Burping & Gas)

Is burping a sign of pregnancy? The hormones of pregnancy can definitely send your gastrointestinal tract into a spin, making symptoms like belching, burping, and gas fairly common. Try to avoid offending food and drink, which include the following:

• Carbonated drinks
• Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, and cabbage
• Dairy
• Spicy foods
• Whole grains

Holding it in can cause a lot of pain. That said, you may feel embarrassed if you have to deal with burping or gas often.

It's a good idea to have a plan. Some people go to the bathroom for a while, and others learn what foods make it worse and try to avoid them.

Pregnancy Constipation

Constipation is yet another effect that pregnancy can have on your body. In fact, between 11% and 38% of pregnant people experience constipation.

When you're pregnant, a rise in progesterone causes your intestines to slow down and become sluggish. This creates a backup of sorts, meaning you can have trouble passing bowel movements.

Exercise, drinking plenty of water, and eating high-fiber foods can be helpful. If none of those provide relief, talk to a midwife or doctor for additional measures such as medication.

A Word From Verywell

It can throw you for a loop when you experience a pregnancy symptom you weren't anticipating. Know that you're not alone; many people have these symptoms in pregnancy, even if they don't talk about them.

The silence can cause worry for some parents-to-be, and being worried and pregnant is not a great combination. Try talking to others who have dealt with these issues for advice on how to combat them. And of course, talk to a doctor or midwife if any type of stress is affecting your daily life while you're pregnant.