10 Most Unpleasant Things About Pregnancy

Becoming a mother is like discovering the existence of a strange new room in the house where you already live –  Sarah Walker. 

Are you pregnant, Are you going to start this journey or are you already a new mom. This post is for you all. The true fact is, however, well you prepare mentally and physically and how much ever you read about motherhood, the moment the little one is born, a mother feels as if she is on a roller coaster ride.

The lifestyle and parenting magazines have created a false image that journey of being pregnant and motherhood is something one should for sure enjoy and it only has happiness. Our minds are filled with images of happy pregnant and new moms we see on billboards, ads and Pinterest. But the truth may not be always this…..

1.For most new moms, breast-feeding doesn’t come easily

Though breastfeeding is a natural process, it need not be easy. Less than 50% of moms manage to breast-feed exclusively for the six months that are recommended for a baby’s health. The moms who quit mostly are those who have faced trouble with breast-feeding in the first week with a new baby.

• Sore or Burning nipples
• Poor or Excess milk supply
• Plugged milk ducts
• Flat or inverted nipples
• Breast infection
• Breast engorgement
• Latching problem

2.Hate every minute of pregnancy

Half the female population hates being pregnant. Many times people around and society are only happy about the pregnancy news and mother to be is left to bear all the pain and trauma associated with pregnancy by themselves. The process of carrying a fetus for 40+ weeks is a tough job and for a large number of women, the journey becomes tougher with accounts of morning sickness, constipation, fatigue, body ache, swollen ankles and sore breasts.

The journey becomes tougher with accounts of morning sickness, constipation, fatigue, body ache, swollen ankles and sore breasts

Many people assume that if you hate being pregnant, you’ll hate being a mother. The fact is to hate ‘pregnancy’ is normal. Not liking pregnancy has no correlation with not liking the ‘Baby’.

3.Some moms don’t bond with their baby instantly

Studies have found that about 20% of new moms and dads feel no real emotional attachment to their newborn in the hours after delivery. Sometimes, it takes weeks or even months to feel that attachment.  Many times moms are just too exhausted, too ill, too anxious, or too scared to let themselves fall in love immediately.

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4.New moms face increased risks for a variety of mental problems

The first three months after women have their first baby is riskiest, especially the first few weeks. Compared to women with no children, new mothers were four times more likely to be hospitalized with mental problems. Mental problems include in addition to postpartum depression, bipolar disorder, with altering periods of depression and mania; schizophrenia and similar disorders; and adjustment disorders, which can include debilitating anxiety.

Mental health is crucial to a mother’s capacity to function optimally, enjoy relationships, prepare for the infant’s birth, and cope with the stresses and appreciate the joys of parenthood.

5.Pregnancy can cause memory loss

Researchers reveal that ‘baby brain‘ is not a myth and new mothers suffer forgetfulness for years.  New moms tend to forget new phone numbers or people’s names or recalling five or six digits for a short period of time. Hormones play a crucial role here. There are 15 to 40 times more progesterone and estrogen marinating the brain during pregnancy and huge surges of oxytocin during delivery which might affect the brain circuits.

6.Link exist between pregnancy complications and heart disease

Women who have high-risk pregnancies or complications in childbirth are up to eight times more likely to have heart disease later in life.  Research shows that heart disease is a long-term threat for women who develop diabetes or high blood pressure during pregnancy. Increased awareness needs to be created in doctors and patients about this scenario. A continuous follow up should be suggested for women who develop diabetes and high blood pressure during pregnancy.

7.Gestational Diabetes can affect mom and baby if not managed properly

Gestational diabetes raises the odds of pregnancy complications.

For the Baby:

Higher blood sugar affects  baby, since they gets nutrients from mother’s blood. Baby will store that extra sugar as fat, which can make them grow larger than normal. They’re more likely to have certain complications:

• Injuries during delivery because of their size
• Low blood sugar and mineral levels when they’re born
• Jaundice, a treatable condition that makes the skin yellowish
• Pre-term birth
• Temporary breathing problems

For Mother:

Mother can develop type 2 diabetes later or gestational diabetes again with another pregnancy. A healthy lifestyle can lower the odds of that happening.

8.Pregnancy and annoying Skin problems

During pregnancy, many women turn from Snowhite to Witch. The skin problems during and post-pregnancy make some of them run for cosmetic care. Acne to stretch marks to strange rashes troubles women. While some moms-to-be find themselves dealing with an acne break out, others are found dealing with drier skin than they’ve ever experienced. Pregnant moms should try to stay out of the sun as much as you possible as surging hormones make one susceptible to dark patches on the skin—known as melasma.  Stretch marks many a times leave permanent scar.

9.New moms are more susceptible to Urinary Tract Infection

Urinary tract infection (UTI) occurs frequently in women and its chances ups post-delivery. The incidence of postpartum UTI is about 2.8% overall including cesarean sections and normal vaginal deliveries. It is higher after the cesarean section possibly due to catheterization. The use of sanitary pads postpartum also may contribute to the higher incidence of UTI.

10.Pain point of all women…shed extra kilos

Most women on average gain around 5-10 kilos during pregnancy. Post-pregnancy with the additional food intake in the name of baby results in adding up a couple of more kilos. Finally, a thin slim girl turns into a bulky, oversized woman. The struggle to lose weight starts soon with running, jogging, hitting the gym, cutting down on calories, and many more. On average, most of these programs fail to generate results due to a lack of commitment and work overload.

Probably because of that most women meet their buddies in the gym or park…….in the name of losing weight.