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.

A majority of women may experience infections during the crucial phase of pregnancy. Some infections during pregnancy may also not show clear symptoms. However, timely awareness and prevention can protect both the mother and the baby.

Pregnancy is a special and sensitive phase in a woman’s life. While most women focus on nutrition and regular check-ups, infections during pregnancy can often be neglected.

Some infections may cause only mild symptoms in the mother but can seriously affect the unborn baby if not detected early. Hence, regular screening, good hygiene, and timely medical care are crucial to prevent most pregnancy-related infections and ensure a safe and healthy pregnancy.

Common Infections During Pregnancy

• Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

• Vaginal infections

• Respiratory infections

• TORCH infections

• Hepatitis B and C can be passed from mother to baby during childbirth if not properly managed.

Tips To Follow To Prevent Infections During Pregnancy

• Pregnant women should go for regular antenatal check-ups, maintain good personal hygiene, and not use any chemical-laden products.
• Stay hydrated and drink enough water, eat home-cooked food, avoid raw or undercooked items, wash your hands frequently, and get vaccinated as recommended by the doctor.
• Take a flu shot on a priority basis. Avoid contact with rodents and pets.
• Make sure to consult the expert in case of symptoms such as fever, pain, or unusual discharge for prompt intervention.
• Get tested for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as HPV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, syphilis, and trichomoniasis.
• Early detection and treatment will be beneficial in safeguarding both mother and baby and ensuring a healthy pregnancy.

Motherhood is not easy to navigate from, while there are many telling you what to do after becoming a parent, rarely do mothers get the guidance they need, especially about disease transmission. Some infections in mothers can pass on to babies during pregnancy, delivery or even while breastfeeding. Know which ones are they:

HIV

It is human immunodeficiency virus that attacks cells that help the body fight infections and makes the person vulnerable to diseases. The virus can be transmitted through contact with infected blood, semen or vaginal fluids.

HIV can be transferred to the baby during birth or even while breast feeding, notes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The risk of transmission is highest in the early months of breastfeeding and the rate is estimated to be at least 16%, and prolonged breastfeeding nearly doubles the chances.

Hepatitis B

Also known as HBV is a viral infection that, as per the World Health Organization (WHO) causes live infection and can lead to short term or chronic disease. It can be spread by exposure to infected bodily fluids.

It can be passed on to the child at birth, however to prevent this, the babies can receive the HBIG/HBV vaccines at birth. CDC also mentions that the risk of HBV mother-to-child transmission through breastfeeding is negligible if the vaccine is received.

Syphilis

As per WHO, it is a preventable and curable bacterial sexually transmitted infection that can cause serious health issues if it is left untreated. Many people with syphilis do not have any symptoms, or do not notice them. It can be transmitted during oral, vaginal, and anal sex, in pregnancy and through blood transfusion.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV)

CDC notes that this is the most common infectious cause of birth effects in the United States and can spread through body fluids like saliva and urine. It is a genus of viruses in the order Herpesvirales, in the family of Herpesviridae.

Zika Virus

As per WHO, Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause infants to be born with microcephaly and other congenital malformations as well as preterm birth and miscarriage.

It is a mosquito-borne virus that can cause serious birth defects, notes the CDC.

Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis is an infection with a parasite called Toxoplasma gondii, which can be found in uncooked meat. This can also be contacted by cat feces and the parasite can be passed down to a baby during pregnancy.

For many couples managing lifelong medical conditions, the fear of infertility often feels unavoidable. But fertility specialists say modern reproductive medicine has changed that reality.

Dr Rupali Tambe, Fertility Specialist at Nova IVF Fertility, Lullanagar, Pune, told Health and Me that chronic illness no longer automatically closes the door to parenthood.

“Couples living with a chronic health condition do not have to rule out parenthood,” she says. “IVF can offer hope with the right planning and care.”

She notes that millions of pregnancies worldwide have been achieved through in vitro fertilization, including among patients with diabetes, thyroid disorders, PCOS, hypertension, asthma and autoimmune diseases.

How Chronic Illness Affects Fertility

Chronic diseases can influence fertility in multiple ways, affecting both partners and every stage of conception.

“Uncontrolled diabetes can impact egg quality, implantation and pregnancy outcomes,” Dr Tambe explains. “Similarly, thyroid imbalance may interfere with ovulation and increase miscarriage risk if untreated.”

Women with PCOS may respond excessively to fertility medications and require carefully adjusted doses to prevent complications. Cardiovascular or high blood pressure conditions also need specialist supervision because hormone stimulation places additional stress on the body.

Autoimmune disorders bring another layer of complexity. “They may affect implantation or early pregnancy and often need tailored treatment plans,” she adds.

Male fertility can also be affected. Diabetes and hormonal disorders may reduce sperm quality, but treatment of the underlying condition can improve IVF success rates.

Preparing Safely For IVF

The first step before starting IVF is stabilizing the medical condition.

“The couple should undergo evaluation and ensure the condition is well controlled,” Dr Tambe says. “Medication adjustments are sometimes necessary because certain long-term medicines are not safe during fertility treatment or pregnancy.”

She strongly advises against self-medication. “Follow the expert’s recommendation before taking any medicine.”

Lifestyle also plays a key role in improving outcomes.

Patients are encouraged to adopt a nutrient-rich diet including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, pulses and lentils while avoiding processed and oily foods. Daily exercise, stress reduction practices like yoga and meditation, and around eight hours of sleep help both fertility and disease control.

Monitoring During Treatment

Close monitoring remains crucial throughout IVF cycles.

“Regular follow-ups, blood tests, scans and health checks help detect problems early and keep treatment safe,” Dr Tambe explains.

Because hormone therapy can affect metabolism, blood pressure and immune responses, doctors track the body’s reaction carefully and modify treatment if needed.

This personalized approach has significantly improved safety for patients previously considered high-risk.

A Journey That Requires Teamwork

Dr Tambe emphasizes that IVF for patients with chronic illness is not just a procedure but a coordinated medical process.

“For individuals living with long-term health issues, IVF is a journey that requires patience, teamwork and informed care,” she says. “Manage the chronic condition and parenthood can become achievable.”

With careful planning, expert supervision and lifestyle discipline, many couples can safely pursue pregnancy despite medical challenges.