Pregnancy is a life-transforming journey and while there is so much changes that happens during this time, you cannot always be prepared for everything. Here are 10 surprising facts that you did not know were true during pregnancy.

The Nesting Instinct

If you have seen animals look for paper scraps, or take fur out of their own body or collect small twigs and stem to build a nest for their upcoming babies, even if the animals are domesticated, humans do the name. Humans do not take fur or hair out of their body, but we too experience a powerful urge to prepare our home for the baby. We clean it, decorate it and thanks to modern homes, we can now baby proof it do!

Mommy Brain

This happens in the first trimester, when tiredness, morning sickness and other symptoms can make the mother feel worn out and mentally fuzzy, often called the mommy brain. The National Institutes of Health also notes that cognitive function decline in the third trimester of pregnancy, leading to memory problems.

Mood Swings

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and pregnancy share several symptoms, such as breast swelling and tenderness, hormonal fluctuations, and mood swings. If you’ve experienced severe mood swings due to PMS, you may notice an intensification of these emotions during pregnancy. It's common to feel joyful one moment and tearful the next as your body adjusts to hormonal changes.

Breast Growth

An increase in breast size is one of the earliest signs of pregnancy apart from your missed period. It happens in the first trimester due to the higher levels of hormones like estrogen and progesterone. The growth continues throughout pregnancy.

Skin Changes

Have you heard about pregnancy glow? This happens because pregnancy women have an increased blood volume, this happens to provide extra blood flow to the uterus and other organs, especially the kidneys. This greater volume brings more blood to the vessels and increases oil gland secretion.

Hair and Nails

During pregnancy, many women notice changes in their hair texture and growth. Hormonal shifts can make hair grow faster and reduce hair loss. However, these changes are typically temporary, and many women experience some hair loss during the postpartum period or after they stop breastfeeding. In some cases, hair growth may also occur in unexpected areas like the face, belly, or around the nipples. Additionally, hair texture can shift, becoming drier or oilier, and some women even notice a change in hair color.

Nails can also undergo changes during pregnancy. Increased hormone levels may cause nails to grow faster and become stronger, but for some women, nails may become more brittle, splitting and breaking more easily. Like hair changes, these nail changes are usually temporary. If your nails are more prone to splitting or tearing, it’s helpful to keep them trimmed and avoid exposure to chemicals in nail polish and nail polish remover.

Your Feet Grow

If you have heard about it, then you already know that it is not just the clothes that do not fit you, it is your shoes too. Extra fluid in the pregnant body also leads to swollen feet. The joints also tend to be looser during pregnancy.

Joint Mobility

Your body also releases hormones like relaxin that prepares your body, especially the cervix for the birth. This loosens the ligament in your body, which may make you less stable .

Varicose veins, constipation, and hemorrhoids

Varicose veins, common in the legs and genital area during pregnancy, result from blood pooling in veins enlarged by pregnancy hormones. They often disappear after delivery. To prevent them, avoid prolonged sitting or standing, wear loose clothing and support hose, and elevate your feet when seated.

Hemorrhoids, which are varicose veins in the rectum, may develop due to increased blood volume and uterine pressure. They can cause pain, itching, bleeding, or stinging, especially during bowel movements. Constipation, caused by hormonal changes and uterine pressure on the large intestine, can worsen hemorrhoids by straining during bowel movements.

Prevent constipation and hemorrhoids by eating a fiber-rich diet, staying hydrated, and exercising regularly. If needed, consult your doctor about stool softeners, laxatives, or creams for relief.

Labor and what goes out of your body

When you are in labor, your amniotic sac, that has fluid that surrounds the baby, breaks or ruptures, which is what is also known as water breaking. For most women contractions start before their water breaks, if not, then the doctor may have to rupture the amniotic sac, in case the cervix is already dilated. Some women may feel the urge to pee, while for some it may feel a trickling their leg.

While long periods of sitting have become normal in today's workplace culture, their effects may go beyond back pain and weight gain.

According to health experts, prolonged sitting may also be quietly affecting reproductive and hormonal health in both men and women.

Previously, sedentary habits were only associated with non-communicable diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, but doctors are now observing a growing connection between inactivity and reproductive dysfunction.

A recent study led by researchers from Fudan University showed that extended daily sitting time is linked to a heightened risk of infertility in women of reproductive age.

Studies also suggest men with high daily sedentary time (over 6–8 hours) may experience higher testicular temperatures and decreased blood flow to the pelvic region.

In addition, desk jobs raise the risk of obesity and insulin resistance, two conditions that are intimately linked to issues connected to reproduction.

How Sedentary Habits Impact Reproductive Health

Dr. Lepakshi Dasari, Consultant Gynaecologist & Laparoscopic Surgeon, Yashoda Hospitals, Hyderabad, told HealthandMe that sitting for extended periods of time can lower blood flow, impede metabolism, cause weight gain, and upset hormonal balance.

“Women may experience irregular periods, increasing PCOS symptoms, issues with ovulation, and decreased reproductive potential as a result. Long-term inactivity has been associated with worse reproductive function, lower sperm quality, and worse metabolic health in men,” she added.

Also read: PCOS Is Now PMOS: What The Name Change Means For Millions Of Women

Reproductive hormones in both males and females can be further disrupted by long-term stress, insufficient sleep, and inactivity.

“Although sitting by itself does not immediately cause infertility, a prolonged sedentary lifestyle can eventually lead to circumstances that are detrimental to reproductive health,” Dr. Lepakshi said.

“Looking at it from a gynecology standpoint, sitting for long hours is one of the things researchers nowadays associate with hormone imbalance, even besides the problem of weight gain.

Infertility: A Global Burden

As per the World Health Organization, about one in six people (17.5 per cent of adults) worldwide experience infertility, marking a significant health challenge.

Between 1990 and 2021, infertility prevalence increased annually by 0.49 per cent for men and 0.68 per cent for women, driven by delayed parenthood, environmental toxins, and lifestyle factors.

By 2050, over 75 per cent of countries may face population declines due to these trends.

Read More: World Thalassemia Day 2026: Why Screening Before Marriage Or Pregnancy Is Important

Dr Tripti Dadhich, Additional Director - Obstetrics and Gynecology, CK Birla Hospitals, Jaipur, explained that when an individual is inactive, the chances of experiencing insulin resistance increase, leading to irregular menstrual cycles and fertility issues.

“If the body is less active, not only is the blood flow to the pelvis less efficient, but this can lead to discomfort and irregularities in menstrual cycles over a period of time. The majority of women are not aware that long sitting hours combined with poor sleeping and stress can cause hormonal imbalance,” she told HealthandMe.

How To Improve Reproductive Health?

Experts shared that simple routines can have a big impact on reproductive and hormonal health, including:

• Walking or standing every hour
• Exercising frequently
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Drinking plenty of water
• Managing stress
• Maintaining a proper sleep cycle.

Motherhood is often described as joyful, fulfilling, and transformative, but for many women, it is also a quietly exhausting experience. While sleepless nights and endless responsibilities are expected parts of pregnancy and parenting, constant fatigue should not always be dismissed as “normal.” One of the most overlooked causes is iron deficiency anemia.

Why Iron Matters

Iron is essential for producing hemoglobin, the component of blood that carries oxygen throughout the body. During pregnancy, a woman’s iron requirements increase significantly because she is supporting both her own growing blood volume and the baby’s development. After childbirth, blood loss during delivery, breastfeeding demands, poor nutrition, and inadequate recovery can further deplete iron stores.

The result? Persistent tiredness, weakness, dizziness, headaches, breathlessness, poor concentration, hair fall, and even mood changes. Many mothers continue to function despite these symptoms, assuming that exhaustion is simply part of motherhood. Unfortunately, untreated anemia can affect not only a woman’s health and immunity, but also her emotional well-being, recovery after delivery, and ability to care for her child.

Anemia Common Among Indian Women

In India, iron deficiency anemia remains extremely common among women of reproductive age. Vegetarian diets low in iron absorption, irregular meals, heavy menstrual bleeding before pregnancy, closely spaced pregnancies, and lack of routine screening all contribute to the problem.

The good news is that anemia is both preventable and treatable. Regular antenatal check-ups, timely blood tests, iron-rich foods such as green leafy vegetables, legumes, jaggery, dates, nuts, lean meats, and iron supplementation when advised can make a significant difference. Vitamin C-rich foods also help improve iron absorption.

While we celebrate Mother’s Day, the strength and resilience of mothers, we must also encourage them to prioritize their own health. Fatigue should not be worn as a badge of honor. Sometimes, the body is simply asking for help, and listening to it is one of the most important acts of self-care a mother can offer herself and her family.

Many women notice that even months after delivery, their stomach continues to protrude despite weight loss efforts, exercise, or dieting. Often dismissed as normal postpartum body changes or “stubborn belly fat,” this condition may actually be Diastasis Recti, a separation of the abdominal muscles commonly seen during and after pregnancy.

What Exactly Is Diastasis Recti?

During pregnancy, the growing uterus stretches the abdominal muscles and connective tissues to make space for the baby. In some women, the two large abdominal muscles separate more than normal, creating a visible gap in the midline of the abdomen. This condition is known as Diastasis Recti.

While it is common after childbirth, it often goes undiagnosed because many women are unaware that persistent abdominal bulging may not simply be weight gain.

Symptoms Women Commonly Ignore

The condition can cause more than cosmetic concerns. Women may experience lower back pain, poor posture, abdominal weakness, pelvic floor issues, bloating, constipation, or difficulty lifting objects. Some also notice a “doming” or bulge in the centre of the abdomen while sitting up or exercising. The risk may be higher in women with multiple pregnancies, twin pregnancies, excessive abdominal strain, or inadequate postnatal recovery.

Why Can Incorrect Exercise Make It Worse?

Many women immediately begin intense abdominal workouts or crunches after delivery to “reduce tummy fat.” However, certain exercises performed incorrectly can worsen the muscle separation and increase strain on the abdominal wall. This is why proper postnatal rehabilitation becomes important. Strengthening the deep core muscles gradually and safely under professional guidance can help improve recovery.

Early Recognition Matters

Diastasis Recti is treatable in many cases with physiotherapy, guided exercises, posture correction, and core rehabilitation. In severe cases, surgical intervention may sometimes be considered.

Most importantly, women should understand that persistent postpartum abdominal changes are not always due to laziness, poor fitness, or inability to lose weight. Sometimes, the body is recovering from a real physical condition that requires attention, patience, and proper care.