5 bizarre pregnancy side effects (and why they happen)
Emily Cater
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When you’re pregnant, you expect side effects like morning sickness and tiredness. But there are plenty of other strange – and downright weird – pregnancy symptoms that you probably aren’t prepared for …
When it comes to pregnancy, we all expect to get one or two symptoms – like sickness and nausea, fatigue, or random cravings.
But what about the side effects they DON'T tell you about? Some of them are uncomfortable, some actually pretty good, but some are just downright bizarre.
Like crumbling toenails for example – which, according to experts, is caused by an iron deficiency.
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Here are five other bizarre pregnancy side effects you might experience, and why they happen.
Remember – if you're worried about any of these symptoms, do speak to your midwife or GP.
1 Your feet get bigger
Wondering why your shoes, that fit perfectly before you got pregnant, are now impossible to get on?
Pregnancy can make your feet bigger. And according to experts, they might not shrink back after you’ve given birth. (So much for those 'investment' Jimmy Choos, sob.)
Why it happens
Doctors at the University of Iowa say this pregnancy side effect is caused by the arch of your foot flattening out. This is possibly caused by the extra weight of your baby and having looser joints in pregnancy.
Another cause of bigger feet in pregnancy is swelling from extra fluids and blood in your body.
What you can do
While the swelling will disappear after you’ve had your baby, if your arch has flattened, there’s nothing you can do to make your feet go back to their pre-pregnancy size.
You may find it comfier to avoid high heels while you're pregnant. Some experts advise opting for a low heel of one to two inches instead, or you could opt for flats.
At least it’s a great excuse to buy new shoes …
2 Your voice gets deeper
Convinced your voice sounds different since you got pregnant? You could be right.
Fun fact: actress Kristen Bell, who played Anna in Frozen, revealed she had to re-record scenes for the Disney film after pregnancy meant her voice got deeper.
Why it happens:
Experts believe this change in your voice could be caused by levels of oestrogen and progesterone during pregnancy.
Your vocal cords can also swell in pregnancy, changing how you sound when you talk and sing.
What you can do:
It’s important not to strain your voice – you’ll get your normal vocal range back after you’ve had your baby.
3 You have nosebleeds
Chances are, you’ve not had a nosebleed since you fell over in the playground when you were little. And now, you can’t leave home without an emergency pack of tissues.
Why it happens:
According to the NHS, nosebleeds are common in pregnancy and are caused by hormonal changes.
You produce up to 50% more blood when you’re pregnant, which can lead to side effects like nosebleeds – especially if you blow your nose too hard, for example.
What you can do:
If you have a nosebleed, sit down, pinch your nose, just above your nostrils and hold for 10 minutes while leaning forward.
For 12 hours after a nosebleed, blow your nose gently, and avoid strenuous activity and even bending down.
4 You have the weirdest pregnancy cravings
Pregnancy cravings can see you wanting to eat anything from pilchards in ice cream (a favourite of one of our Netmums' members) to chalk.
Why it happens:
Almost two-thirds of mums have some sort of food craving in pregnancy. Some experts think it could be linked to low iron, zinc or calcium levels.
A study by the University of Connecticut found cravings change during pregnancy, with pregnant women preferring salty and sour foods in the second and third trimesters.
There’s also a medical condition called pica, which can means pregnant women crave inedible things to eat, like paper.
What you can do:
If you're worried you may have pica, talk to your GP or midwife.
For all other cravings, if they're fine to eat in pregnancy, then tuck in!
Here’s all you need to know about what to eat in pregnancy.
5 Your hair looks AMAZING
Hurrah, the pregnancy side effect of Kardashian-worthy hair is one you can totally can get on board with.
Why it happens:
Usually, between 85-95% of your hair is growing, while the remaining 5-15% stays in a ‘resting stage’ before naturally falling out.
When you’re pregnant, this resting stage lasts longer and means less hair falls out, making your hair thicker.
Your levels of the hormone oestrogen increase in pregnancy, and this can also change your hair texture, even changing it from straight to curly.
What you can do:
Enjoy it! After all, it won’t be long until your hair is plastered with baby sick or your toddler’s half-eaten cereal …
And be prepared: your lustrous locks probably won't last for long after the birth; postnatal hair loss is fairly common in the first six months after having a baby.
What to Expect When You're Expecting by Heidi Murkoff is a must-read book for all expectant parents. See more details here at Amazon.
You can also buy it here at Waterstones.
Have you experienced any unusual symptoms or side effects during pregnancy? Share them with other parents over on our forum:
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