Pregnancy presents a myriad of challenges alongside the wonder of nurturing new life. Despite the awe of creation, expectant mothers often endure significant hardships.
“My sandal broke!” And with that exclamation, she burst into tears.
I was taken aback to see my co-worker crying so intensely over a mere broken shoe. Nonetheless, I did my best to console her, and moments later, she seemed completely fine. Amrita, my co-worker, was in her third trimester and displayed all sorts of peculiar behaviors. She ate at odd hours, visited the restroom frequently throughout the day, got easily irritated by the smallest things, and exhibited many other surprising habits that fascinated and puzzled us all.
Pregnancy is undeniably challenging, as we witnessed firsthand. While there’s an undeniable sense of wonder in bringing new life into the world, it’s accompanied by numerous hardships that expectant mothers endure.
Here, we highlight a few experiences that pregnant women can undoubtedly relate to.
Mixed emotions
A pregnant woman experiences a whirlwind of emotions throughout the day. She may feel elated one moment and anxious the next. While the joy of impending motherhood is profound, it’s often accompanied by persistent fears. Will everything proceed smoothly? What if complications arise? These and many other questions can haunt a pregnant woman. Yet, the sheer joy of nurturing a new life surpasses all uncertainties.
The “penguin walk” and other distinctive postures are common experiences for pregnant women
As the belly expands during pregnancy, walking in a straight line becomes increasingly challenging. What was once a simple walk transforms into a waddle. Similarly, sitting becomes a task requiring careful maneuvering, often necessitating the use of supportive objects to achieve comfort and stability. Essentially, everyday activities such as walking, sitting, and even sleeping become arduous tasks for pregnant women.
Pregnant women often experience heightened body temperature and frequently feel warm
They’re not always sexually aroused; rather, pregnant women frequently feel overheated, even in the presence of air conditioning. This phenomenon is attributed to the body’s increase in blood volume by 50% during pregnancy, which raises overall body temperature. Additionally, the heightened metabolic rate contributes to the sensation of feeling hot.
The need to urinate every 15 minutes
Certainly, having to urinate every 15-20 minutes can be quite tiring. The frequent urge to urinate every 15 minutes is common in early pregnancy due to a 35% increase in blood flow to the kidneys.