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Carrying a baby is one of the most beautiful and significant things your body can do. It is no surprise that pregnant women are strong and capable of accommodating a baby for 9 months. But it is also a bit strange when you think about it. Having a human grow inside you causes your body to change, rapidly in ways you didn’t think was possible. And although we are all well aware of the swollen feet, pinched nerves, varicose veins and backaches, do we really know everything about pregnancy? Not necessarily. For example, have you ever wondered if your unborn baby could cry or dream while they slept? Did you know that some widespread facts are simply myths? In the world of pregnancy, there is much that is yet to be known. But in this article, we’ve got you covered with facts no one talks about, so that you and your baby will be prepared for any challenge coming your way.
Here are 6 strange pregnancy facts no one talks about:
1. You Can Carry A Baby For A Year
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Yes, you read that right! Some women carry their baby for a whole year. Usually, what people consider as a normal pregnancy lasts for 266 days or 38 weeks, from the moment of conception till childbirth (1). But in reality this number can shift, either increasing or decreasing. Some babies are born earlier than the 38 weeks and are premature and some are born later. In the year 1945, a woman named Beulah Hunter carried her child for 375 days because her fetus had a slower growth rate than the normal growth rate. And so, her full pregnancy period took over a year, after which she delivered a healthy baby girl. Although it may not be as drastic as this, several women wait until week 40 or 41 to give birth.
2. Your Uterus Resembles One Very Large Fruit
This may come as no surprise to you. Everyone knows that the uterus has to expand in order to make space for the growing baby. But did you know that your uterus grows 500 times larger than normal during your pregnancy? What is even more remarkable is that it shrinks back to its original size a mere 2 months after childbirth (2). This means that your uterus goes from being the size of a peach to that of a watermelon, only to shrink back to the size of a peach. That’s a neat trick!
3. Babies Cry In The Womb
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We don’t call them a crybaby for nothing. This is usually a skill they develop in their third trimester as a response to low-decibel noises played next to the mother’s abdomen. There are several ultrasound images of babies indicating that they are crying. Now obviously, you won’t be able to hear your baby cry but this behavior can be seen when they are depressing their tongues, opening their mouths, or taking irregular breaths before exhaling.
4. Your Feet Grow Too
It’s a known fact that during pregnancy, a woman’s breasts and waist grow in size to make space for the baby or produce food for the baby. But those are not the only organs that grow. Your feet grow too, increasing by at least half a size (4). This is due to the excessive liquid accumulation in the body. Your joints soften during pregnancy due to hormonal changes which increases pressure in the foot arch to accommodate the increased weight. Bigger feet help you bear the burden of carrying your heavy baby around.
5. Skin Pigmentation Is Common
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Hyperpigmentation is a problem that a large percent of pregnant women encounter (5). Skin pigmentation may occur at one specific place or all over the body with spots appearing on the face, arms, legs and stomach. The color of the pigments depends on the mother’s original skin color. If she has lighter skin and is pale in complexion, then dark spots will surface. If she is darker skinned, light spots appear. They may fade in time with treatment and medication but sometimes, it’s impossible to get rid of them completely.
6. Your Unborn Child Is Developing Food Preferences
While you’re busy feeding your body all the nutrients it needs and giving into odd cravings in between, your baby is busy figuring out what foods they prefer over others (6). Your fetus can taste, smell and feel the food you eat. Anything you eat is absorbed by amniotic fluid which is passed to the baby. Have you ever wondered why your child took a liking to those tacos you couldn’t stop eating while you were pregnant with them? Well now you know.
Pregnancy is a magical experience but it definitely comes with its own quirks. Although it may be hard to keep up with the endless changes and developments happening to your body every day, it’s important to give yourself time to process all the awesome things it’s doing. Keeping these facts in mind will ensure that you aren’t caught off guard. And focus on staying a healthy and happy mommy!
