Social media has exposed more than ever the highs/ lows, the challenges/joys of pregnancy.
We get to see and hear things that make us cling, but on the flip side, we get mental preparation.
Not to try and cause alarm or stir fear, but it is what it is.
The classics of pregnancy remain, tender breast, nausea, and a missed period.
Below are five pointers to get ready for;
Insatiable Hunger
To break the ice: it's natural.
The fact that a whole human is growing on the inside, it’s completely okay to be hungrier than usual.
Your body is working overtime, and it needs compensation.
The hunger pangs not only last during pregnancy but heighten during breastfeeding.
To avoid too much weight gain at the end of the process, nutritionists encourage that the servings should contain protein, fiber, and Healthy fats.
Baby or pregnancy brain
It refers to memory problems, poor concentration, and absent-mindedness.
Pregnancy brain can kick in as early as the first trimester since that’s when the hormone changes are most dramatic.
Someone said that baby brain can possibly kick in even, before you realize you are pregnant.
So, in case you have been forgetting where you left your phone, keys, or what you were supposed to do or say: I don't mean to be a prophet of doom buuuuut probably a test would go a long way.
Moreover, the pregnancy brain is there to stay, even after the baby comes.
Cramping
A meme recently surfaced after someone posted a picture of pads hiked prices, and netizens captioned it 'better mimba sasa.'
Well, cramps will still come to play but not in a consistent manner.
One will experience mild aches and pains throughout pregnancy because the muscles in the uterus are stretching.
Not so sure about that meme anymore.
Sex drive
Some women experience high libido, but often the opposite is true.
Pregnancy triggers significant hormonal changes in preparation for the birth of the baby.
These same changes can trigger feelings of happiness and optimism one day and drop you into a rollercoaster of anger or despair the next.
While these fluctuations are perfectly normal, they can leave you drained and exhausted.
Worse, you may experience feelings of guilt if faced with a loss of libido.
Easily irritable
Just like most women experience mood swings before their periods, so it is with pregnancy, just that with pregnancy, it's nine months.
Things as petty or small as making sounds while chewing will easily irritate you probably, the sound magnifies.
Bottom line; every pregnancy journey is different.
