10 interesting facts about pregnancy

The birth of a child is a real miracle of nature, which continues to be explored by scientists and physicians. Many modern women are beginning to be interested in the details of the course of pregnancy in order to prepare mentally and physically in advance for the long-term bearing of a baby. Unfortunately, the knowledge of most is limited to understanding how the uterus grows with each trimester and what hormones need to be donated to maintain reproductive health. However, very complex and amazing changes occur with the female body, which you are not even aware of.

Today we present the 10 most interesting facts about pregnancy.

10 Super sensitivity to smells

Many have heard that a woman becomes susceptible to odors during toxicosis. The culprits are elevated levels of the hormones chorionic gonadotropin and estrogen, the secretion of which increases as the embryo develops at the end of the first trimester. Some researchers believe that an 11-fold increase in the sense of smell is associated with a protective reaction of the body to stale, missing and rotten food. That is, the nose of a pregnant woman helps to screen out products that are potentially harmful to her and the baby. But do not worry – even if the olfactory center failed, the enlarged liver will be able to filter out toxins and other harmful components.

9. Your uterus is 500 times its normal size

Every mother knows about the increase in the penis during pregnancy – the uterus grows from the size of a fist to the size of a watermelon, that is, on average, 500 times in relation to the norm! Initially, the weight of the muscle bag is about 28 g, and as the baby is born, it is filled with blood, oxygen, lymph, nutrients, etc., which leads to an increase in mass up to 450 grams or more. After childbirth, muscle fibers actively contract, so the body gradually returns to normal weight and dimensions.

8. Improves hair structure

Pregnant women have to go to hardships in the process of bearing a child: the joints weaken, the condition of the teeth worsens, even visual acuity can regress. It is all the more surprising that the structure of hair in expectant mothers objectively improves: the rods become stiff, growth increases, density and silkiness increase. These changes are associated with increased secretion of estrogen, which prevents hair loss. But after childbirth, unfortunately, healthy hair begins to actively crumble, and sometimes even to shreds, which must be considered the norm.

7. The leg can grow one full size

Many pregnant women noted that they no longer fit into their usual shoes, which were worn for many years. Yes, and in the fitting room, shoes of a standard size cannot be pulled on the foot. The hormone relaxin, which is produced during pregnancy, softens the joints and weakens the ligaments in the body (including those in the lower extremities). Against the background of an increase in the total body weight, the leg becomes fuller, expands, and even the tendency to edema leads to an increase in the size of the foot by a couple of centimeters. Don’t worry, after giving birth, your feet will gradually return to normal, and you will be able to wear your favorite shoes again.

6. Your heart is growing

During pregnancy, an additional placental circulation is formed, which forces the heart to drive additional liters of blood. Its volume circulating in the body of a pregnant woman increases by 40-50%. The load on the muscular organ increases, therefore it is quite natural that it intensifies its activity and increases in size, trying with all its might to maintain a normal rhythm of contractions. Therefore, it is very important to consume more potassium to maintain muscle health, perform moderate cardio, yoga and breathing exercises, and be less nervous and worried.

5. Weird tastes may be talking about something more

Many men are annoyed that their pregnant wife begins to consume completely incompatible dishes at the same time, such as herring with an apple or chocolate with soup. A complete mixture of tastes is a classic manifestation of pregnancy, associated with the restructuring of metabolism. The body thus demonstrates which microelements and vitamins it lacks for the formation and development of a new life. When there is a shortage of rare minerals, the expectant mother can even pull on inedible objects – ice, chalk, sand and even dirt. Strange taste preferences that cannot be satisfied are a signal for contacting an endocrinologist and a nutritionist. For example, the common desire to eat a bucket of ice cream at a time indicates iron deficiency and the risk of developing anemia in pregnancy (a common complication).

4. Tall mothers are more likely to have twins

Back in 2006, doctor Gary Steiman decided on an independent experiment in one of the American clinics. The results are surprising: the taller a woman, the more likely she is to become pregnant with twins, twins, or triplets. Unfortunately, detailed data on the relationship between growth and the number of embryos are not given.

3. Softens joints

During the bearing of a child, the body is constantly in a state of restructuring, which allows the musculoskeletal system to adapt to the complex process of childbirth. The hormone relaxin already mentioned above begins to be actively produced, which is responsible for relaxing muscle tissue (prevents uterine hypertonicity), tendons, ligaments and joints. This allows the pelvic bones to gradually diverge in the third trimester, expanding the birth canal and ensuring the movement of a large fetus through the birth canal.

2. Pregnant Dad Syndrome or Couvade Syndrome

Many men do not take this syndrome seriously, but in vain, because it has found confirmation in medical practice. Some future dads with psychological problems can transfer the image of a pregnant wife to themselves, so much so that their body begins to actively demonstrate similar symptoms: the belly grows, the mammary glands increase, there is a change in tastes and smells. This problem must be treated by a psychiatrist or psychologist, as in the future it may turn into less harmless nervous breakdowns and mental disorders.

1. The child is fed before the mother

Everyone says that the expectant mother should eat for two. Of course, we are talking about the use of more vitamins and minerals, and not food as such, and this is justified, since the “best” components from the body go to the formation and development of the embryo. If you do not fill the need for calcium, for example, in women, the risk of fractures increases, muscles and ligaments often hurt, and tooth enamel is destroyed. If you are going to go on a diet during pregnancy, then remember that in any case, the child will receive the maximum of useful substances from the mother’s body, even at the cost of your health, and sometimes life. Pregnancy is one of the objective reasons that it is time to take care of your diet and saturate it with exceptionally healthy food.

These amazing processes occur in the body of a future mother. Remember that bearing a child is a huge job and in some ways a sacrifice, so take care of pregnant women, help them with weights, give way to queues and transports and do not waste your nerves.