Astroglide TTC™ sponsored this blog post. The opinions and text are all mine.
Pregnancy is truly one of life’s miracles. You are growing a life inside your body! So incredible. When I look at Bryce, I am still in awe that he was in my belly a couple months ago.
So about this pregnancy thing…
Of course, there are the symptoms of weight gain, swollen ankles, the need to use the bathroom all the time – but the end result is the best gift you will ever receive.
So let’s get real here. I remember when I was newly pregnant (and the time leading up to it) when I was searching all over the interwebs and asking friends about what to expect with pregnancy. There is SO much information out there- some of it trustworthy, some of it as more of a scare tactic if you ask me, so I put together a list of the top facts about pregnancy no one tells you about…
1) Your uterus expands up to 500 times its normal size. A woman’s body is an incredible thing. Your uterus can go from a couple of ounces to 1-2 pounds in weight. Once you have delivered it gradually goes back to its original size and weight. Talk about resiliency! That said, I noticed my body changing even in the initial weeks of pregnancy, with my midsection shifting, making my clothes fit differently.
2) Your joints get softer. In order to prepare your body for birth, it produces a hormone that softens your ligaments. This softening helps your baby pass through your pelvis during labor. This is also important to note when you are working out (and something my prenatal yoga instructor warned me about). Although you may feel extra flexible, don’t push it because you can injure yourself!
3) Your hair gets fuller. Well, I wouldn’t say I got flowy, voluminous hair like I see in commercials, but my hair certainly grew a lot faster and seemed more healthy. Higher levels of estrogen during your pregnancy prevents your hair from shedding at it’s normal rate. This results in fuller hair (and the dreaded hair loss after pregnancy.)
4) You might swell up. For me, this included my fingers, ankles and feet. This didn’t happen for me until the last trimester. I’ve also heard that your feet may not return to their normal size postpartum. Two of my coworkers can attest to that! Luckily, my feet seem to have gone back to their previous size, but I definitely had to buy a couple pairs of shoes one size up towards the end to accommodate them! Those hormones, combined with your increased body weight, adds to your foot’s width and length. Lovely!
Finished walking a 5k: just me, Baby P and my cankles.
5) When you are trying to get pregnant, there are some great products to “help you along.” When trying to conceive, it is vital to provide an environment where sperm has a chance of survival. And Astroglide TTC Trying to Conceive™ is a specially formulated lubricant designed for couples who are trying to conceive. It supports fertility with adjusted pH levels, compatible osmolality (a fancy term for the concentration of substances like sodium and potassium)and a consistency similar to your body’s cervical mucus, making it less likely to hinder sperm motility than traditional lubricants.
Astroglide TTC™is available nationwide and comes in a package with 8 pre-filled disposable applicators. It retails for $12.99.
6) Blood flow increases during pregnancy, so occasional nosebleeds and bloody gums are common. I normally use an electric toothbrush and had to switch to a manual one so I could be more gentle on my gums.
7) Some women (including myself) develop a dark line on their abdomen in pregnancy. It’s called the linea nigra, and it fades over time postpartum.
8) You don’t really need to eat for two. Despite the rumors, most women will only need an extra 300 calories per day. That’s equivalent to about one serving of yogurt and half a bagel. But those cravings are real, and I say it’s ok to indulge every now and again :-)
What am I missing? What was something no one told you about pregnancy that you wish you knew?
Note: I am not a medical professional, so take these facts (and anything else you read about pregnancy on the Internet) with a grain of salt! :-)
Astroglide TTC™ sponsored this blog post. The opinions and text are all mine
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