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.

Infants who do not receive the recommended vitamin K injection at birth face a significantly higher risk of dangerous bleeding, including bleeding in the brain, according to a new study.

The findings, published in JAMA Pediatrics, reinforce the importance of the routine newborn vitamin K shot in preventing Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB), a rare but potentially life-threatening condition.

Higher Risk of Bleeding in Babies Without Vitamin K

Researchers from the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden analyzed data from more than 2 million live births between 2003 and 2021.

The study found that babies who did not receive an intramuscular vitamin K injection had:

• 1.52 times higher odds of any bleeding episode during the first six months of life.
• 2.91 times higher odds of intracranial (brain) bleeding during the same period.

"Our findings have important clinical implications, highlighting the ongoing need for communication between healthcare practitioners and parents about the vital role of vitamin K prophylaxis in preventing potentially life-threatening bleeding in newborns," said lead researcher Eleni Simatou of the Karolinska Institutet.

Why Is Vitamin K Important For Newborns?

Also read: 13.5 Million Children Remain Zero-Dose In 2025 Despite Global Vaccination Gains: UN Report

Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin essential for normal blood clotting and bone health. Newborns naturally have very low vitamin K levels, putting them at risk of Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB).

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has recommended a vitamin K injection for all newborns since 1961. The shot is highly effective in preventing VKDB, which can cause severe internal bleeding, including bleeding in the brain, and may lead to permanent brain damage or death.

Importantly, the vitamin K shot is not a vaccine. It is a one-time supplement given shortly after birth to provide babies with adequate vitamin K.

Growing Concern Over Refusal of Vitamin K Shot

The researchers noted that parental refusal of vitamin K injections has been increasing in several countries.

A separate JAMA analysis of US electronic health records, published earlier this year, found that refusal rates rose from 2.92% in 2017 to 5.18% in 2024. In Sweden, however, only 1.5% of newborns did not receive the vitamin K shot in 2021.

"Vitamin K at birth is safe and effective," said study author Kate Semidey of Florida International University.

"Our review found that babies who do not get the vitamin K injection are 81 times more likely to develop vitamin K deficiency bleeding."

In addition to the US, the refusal is also growing in countries like Canada, New Zealand , and Scotland.

The authors noted that refusal also appears to be more common in home births, where reporting may also be less complete.

Read More: Cyclosporiasis Outbreak: US Probes Taco Bell Link; CDC Reviews Over 5,100 Cases

Breastfed Babies Remain at Higher Risk

Breast milk contains relatively low levels of vitamin K. As a result, babies who are exclusively breastfed remain vulnerable to VKDB until they begin eating solid foods if they do not receive the birth injection.

The study also found a higher use of oral vitamin K, which is considered less effective than the intramuscular injection in preventing VKDB, particularly the late-onset form that can occur weeks after birth.

Delhi's air quality has slipped into the 'poor' category for the first time in more than 85 days, even as the monsoon season sets in. While rainfall is often expected to clear the air, doctors warn that a combination of lingering pollution, high humidity, mold, allergens, and seasonal viral infections can significantly increase the risk of respiratory illnesses in children. Experts say children are especially vulnerable because their lungs and immune systems are still developing, making it easier for polluted air and environmental triggers to affect their breathing and long-term lung health.

After weeks of relatively clean air, Delhi's air quality deteriorated sharply on July 12, with the city's overall Air Quality Index (AQI) slipping into the 'poor' category at 261—the highest level recorded in more than 85 days.

According to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, this was the city's highest AQI since April 17, when it stood at 263.

Repeated exposure to polluted air during childhood can impair lung development and increase the risk of long-term respiratory diseases.

"Air pollution affects children more because their lungs are still developing, and they breathe faster than adults, inhaling more polluted air relative to their body weight," Dr. Narendra Kumar Jha, Director and Head of Pediatrics at Yashoda Medicity, told HealthandMe.

He added that inhaled pollutants irritate and inflame the airways, weakening the body's natural defense mechanisms. This can lead to chronic cough, wheezing, breathing difficulties, throat irritation, and worsening of conditions such as asthma and allergic rhinitis.

Why Children Are More Vulnerable

Children are not simply "small adults," said Dr. Nikhil Rajvanshi, Consultant, Pediatric Pulmonology, Madhukar Rainbow Children's Hospital, Delhi.

Because their lungs and immune systems are still developing, children breathe faster and inhale more air per kilogram of body weight than adults, making them more susceptible to pollution, infections, and environmental triggers.

How Air Pollution Affects Children's Lungs

According to Dr. Rajvanshi, pollutants such as PM2.5, PM10, nitrogen dioxide, and ozone penetrate deep into the lungs, triggering inflammation.

Even short-term exposure can cause:

• Coughing
• Wheezing
• Chest tightness
• Reduced exercise tolerance
• Increased emergency visits in susceptible children

Over time, repeated exposure can impair lung growth, reduce lung function, worsen asthma control, and increase the risk of chronic respiratory diseases later in life.

Why Respiratory Illnesses Increase During the Monsoon

Despite occasional rainfall clearing pollutants, the monsoon creates conditions that favor respiratory illnesses.

Dr. Rajvanshi explained that high humidity promotes indoor mold growth, damp conditions increase exposure to fungal spores, viral infections spread more easily, and sudden weather changes can trigger asthma. Periods of stagnant air between rainfall spells may also allow pollutants to accumulate.

As a result, pediatric clinics are reporting more cases of:

• Viral upper respiratory tract infections
• Persistent cough after viral illness
• Wheezing, especially in preschool-aged children
• Acute asthma attacks
• Allergic rhinitis with nasal blockage and sneezing
• Breathing difficulties linked to humidity, mold exposure, and fluctuating air quality

Children with asthma or allergies are particularly vulnerable, as viral infections combined with poor air quality can significantly worsen their symptoms.

How Parents Can Protect Their Children

Dr. Jha advised parents not to ignore persistent cough, breathing difficulty, or sleep disturbances caused by respiratory symptoms.

On days when pollution levels are high, children should avoid prolonged outdoor activities and strenuous exercise. Parents should also keep indoor air as clean as possible, ensure children stay hydrated, and continue prescribed asthma medications if needed.

Other preventive measures include:

• Monitor the daily AQI before outdoor activities.
• Keep children away from tobacco smoke, incense, mosquito coils, and indoor biomass smoke.
• Prevent dampness and mold inside the home.
• Clean regularly to reduce dust accumulation.
• Encourage frequent hand hygiene.
• Ensure adequate sleep, hydration, and a balanced diet.
• Continue prescribed controller medication and maintain an updated asthma action plan for children with asthma.
• Ensure eligible children, particularly those with chronic respiratory diseases, receive an annual influenza vaccination.

When Should Parents Seek Medical Care?

Parents should consult a pediatrician if a child develops:

• Fast or difficult breathing
• Wheezing or noisy breathing
• A cough lasting longer than two to three weeks
• Recurrent nighttime coughing
• Fever accompanied by breathing difficulty
• Poor feeding or lethargy in infants
• Bluish lips or fingertips
• Asthma symptoms that do not improve with prescribed reliever medication

Dr. Rajvanshi stressed that early medical evaluation can help distinguish between viral infections, asthma, allergies, pneumonia, and other lung conditions.

"Not every cough requires antibiotics, and not every episode of wheezing means a child has asthma. However, recurrent cough, persistent wheezing, exercise limitation, or breathing difficulty should never be ignored. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can prevent complications and improve long-term lung health," he told HealthandMe.

The adolescent stage is a crucial milestone in one’s life due to various developments experienced by teenagers at this stage. Adolescents must get access to comprehensive reproductive health education because it is instrumental in educating them on various health concerns, enabling them to develop healthy lifestyles.

Nonetheless, due to social taboos, myths, and insufficient information, adolescents find themselves in a situation where they are not conversant with health concerns.

Creating Awareness About PCOS and Menstrual Health

Among some of the things that need to be discussed in relation to adolescent reproductive health is the issue of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and menstruation. Today, there is a higher prevalence of PCOS among girls and young women than before, which is related to various complications, including irregular menstruation, acne, excess body hair, and obesity problems in the future. It is important to know the first signs of PCOS to make a quick diagnosis of the disease and bring about lifestyle changes.

Another aspect that should be taken into account is the promotion of menstrual hygiene among girls. Girls need to understand that menstruation is a natural phenomenon that, therefore, nothing should prevent them from practicing good menstrual hygiene practices, including the use of sanitary products and appropriate methods of changing their pads.

The Importance Of HPV Vaccination

Reproductive health education must include HPV vaccination information, which would be the most effective way to prevent cervical cancer. HPV vaccination is something that many parents and young people don't know much about, including its benefits and recommended vaccination age. Therefore, educating people about how important it is to be vaccinated against HPV will help reduce the occurrence of cervical cancer in the future.

Encouraging Responsible Reproductive Health

The responsibilities regarding reproductive health also refer to the understanding of the process of puberty, but additionally include educating young people with regard to responsible behavior, respecting limits, practicing consent, and the importance of making informed decisions.

Building a Healthier Generation

Educating teenagers is very important in order to have a healthy generation in the future. Everybody should work together to create a supportive environment that encourages discussions regarding reproductive health problems. The promotion of awareness regarding PCOS, HPV vaccinations, and other reproductive health problems would also enable our children to become proactive in taking care of their health.

(Dr. Priya Gupta, Senior Consultant - Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cocoon Hospital, Jaipur)