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Writer's pictureWestminster Medical Jamaica
3 min read

Six Not-So-Pleasant Pregnancy Symptoms and Side Effects


Pregnancy is an exciting time, but it can come with some unexpected changes. From physical changes, like swollen feet, to physiological changes, like fluctuating hormones, these changes are not always pleasant.


1) Everything tastes and smells intense.


Graphic showing a woman with an afro sitting at a table with a croissant in front of her. She is holding her hand to her mouth, as if she is nauseous. The text reads: “During the first trimester, some women experience a sour or metallic taste in their mouths.” Westminster Medical Jamaica’s logo is in the bottom left corner.

During pregnancy, fluctuating estrogen levels can make both the sense of smell and the taste buds more sensitive. In turn, smells or tastes mom-to-be usually enjoys, or at least tolerates, become unbearable.


“Women are often surprised by the increased sense of smell and change in taste in the initial weeks of pregnancy,” says obstetrician-gynaecologist Dr Leo Walker. “It often contributes to the nausea and vomiting they experience.”


2) Feeling nauseous and vomiting all day.


Most people know nausea and vomiting are very common pregnancy symptoms. Still, many women are unprepared for just how much nausea and vomiting happens.


“First-time mothers are often surprised by the level of nausea they feel,” says Dr Lesley Chin, obstetrician-gynaecologist. “They have all heard of morning sickness but are never prepared for the all-day nausea, vomiting and lethargy they experience."


So why does it happen? "It is the body's adjustment to the presence of the Human chorionic gonadotrophin hormone which is produced by the pregnancy," Dr Chin explains. "This is doubled by having twins."



3) Feeling tired all the time


A graphic with a picture of a pregnant black woman sitting down with her legs crossed and, holding her head as if it is hurting.. The text reads: “Pregnant women need almost twice as much iron as non-pregnant women (30 mg versus 18mg) daily.” The Westminster Medical Jamaica logo is in the top right corner.

Tiredness and pregnancy often go hand in hand. Oftentimes, people associate it with the third trimester when the mum-to-be is carrying around the extra weight all day. However, many women begin feeling extreme tiredness even in their first trimester when the foetus is no bigger than a lime. One common reason is iron deficiency anaemia. This occurs when the body doesn’t have enough iron to develop haemoglobin, the protein that allows red cells to carry oxygen around the body. Since iron is key for the foetus’ growth, the placenta draws iron from the mother’s body, leaving less iron for her. “Most of the time, the mother had fibroids before and so start out with low iron stores,” explains Professor Horace Fletcher, consultant obstetrician-gynaecologist. “The pregnancy requirements make things worse.” Besides tiredness, low iron levels can result in cold hands and feet, headaches, and lightheadedness.


4) Unusual Cravings


You may have heard of pickles and ice cream, but some pregnant women's cravings go beyond strange food combinations. "Pica simply refers to the repeated consumption of non-food substances," says Dr Walker. "There are different types depending on the preferred substance of consumption."


"It is a very common disorder during pregnancy," Professor Fletcher explains. "During pregnancy, women might crave anything, but with pica, they crave non-nutritive things, like ice or even non-food substances like chalk or dirt."

A graphic showing a glass with ice, and several ice cubes falling into it. The text reads: “Eating large amounts of ice can interfere with the absorption of important nutrients, like iron, and worsen an underlying deficiency.” The Westminster Medical Jamaica logo is in the bottom right corner.

It's very important for pregnant women to bring up any such cravings to their doctor, Professor Fletcher notes, even a "safe" craving, like ice. "Pica is the body's response to certain deficiencies, like iron or calcium."







5) Feeling hotter than usual


A picture of a woman lying in bed, with her hand on her forehead, as if she is hot. The text reads: “Due to fluctuating hormone levels, many pregnant women experience hot flashes and night sweats during early pregnancy.” The Westminster Medical Jamaica logo is in the top right corner.

It’s not just this year’s record-breaking temperatures. During pregnancy, the mother’s body temperature increases. “It’s because of an increased amount of blood in their body and the dilation of their blood vessels during pregnancy,” says Dr Robyn Khemlani, obstetrician gynaecologist.


Blood vessels, including those near the skin’s surface, widen or dilate to accommodate the increased blood flow, making pregnant women feel warm to the touch.

6) Needing to use the bathroom...a lot!


Frequent urination and even urine leaks are common pregnancy symptoms. As the foetus grows, it puts pressure on the bladder, increasing the need to urinate. Further, as the body prepares to give birth, the pelvic floor muscles and ligaments that hold up the bladder loosen, making it harder for the sphincter to hold urine in.

Picture of a uterine prolapse. Text reads: Uterine Prolapse.

These issues often persist after birth. "For example, it takes time for the pelvic floor to regain strength after birth," Professor Fletcher explains. "This can result in mild, treatable incontinence or, in advanced cases, uterine prolapse."






So, is there a way to prevent all these symptoms? Sometimes. For example, ensuring you're eating a balanced diet can help your body meet the nutritional needs required for pregnancy. From Professor Fletcher: "One of the key causes for iron-deficiency anaemia is having a poor diet, so we will also usually give mothers-to-be iron supplements."


However, others, like heightened senses and nausea, may just be part of the package. "Every pregnancy is different," says Dr Khemlani, "and every pregnant person will feel different things throughout the course." Her advice? "Try to enjoy it and take care of yourself, get some exercise and eat healthily. There’s no perfect or one “right” way to be pregnant."



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