Pregnancy "side effects"

[MIAAN]

Hi guys, I don't have any children yet but I wanted to know if any of the "side effects" of pregnancy are common. I'm online pretty often and I keep seeing videos talking about what can happen during and after pregnancy such as weakened or loss of teeth, hair loss and bone problems. Can any of these be averted? I imagine the teeth and bone issues could be avoided by taking a calcium supplement? Not sure if the hair loss can be avoided. Also, when induced, does it ALWAYS lead to a c-section or can you still have a natural birth? And does going 40 weeks or over equate to a c-section? Again, I would like to know if these are common and what can be done to minimise or mitigate them. Many thanks in advance x

I also heard your butt can literally go flat after birth, how true is that?

I can’t confirm how true that is... you don’t get much time for checking out your bum in the mirror when you have a newborn - so who knows, maybe??

[quote MIAAN]@Pinkblueberry oooh I see, I also heard that your butt can literally go flat after birth, how true is that? Lol sorry for the questions x[/quote]
I've never heard of that! My butt looks the same as before... as does the rest of me tbh!

I’ve never heard of your bum getting flat

@Poppins2016 did you find that the water birth made the labour easier to manage? I've heard that it helps in reducing tearing, Did you tear?

@Pinkblueberry yes!! I've heard that because apparently giving birth weakens your glutes or something? I'm not too sure x

@Pinkblueberry yes it really is daunting, I think I need to calm down a bit with the research

@rorosemary I think c sections scare me more than a natural birth because I've heard that they are harder to recover from. I've never had any type of surgery in my life and I've never had to stay in hospital. Also not to sound vain but, I'm very insecure about my appearance so the thought of having a scar on my belly+possible hair loss does scare me, sorry if I sound silly haha 😅

[quote MIAAN]@Poppins2016 did you find that the water birth made the labour easier to manage? I've heard that it helps in reducing tearing, Did you tear?[/quote]
The pool was amazing. I used a combination of hypnobirthing techniques, tens machine at home, pool at the hospital (midwife led unit) plus gas and air. The water really helped to take the weight of my body and relieved tension (therefore relieved pain), I'm aiming for another water birth with my second baby and recommend it to everyone who asks!

As for tearing... I ended up with a second degree tear, but I had a feeling it was likely (a gynaecologist has objectively confirmed I'm unusually 'petite' in that area...), plus baby had his hand by his head as he made his way out... I'm confident it would have been worse if I hadn't been in the pool. I had some stitches and it healed OK, there's honestly no evidence of the tear 2 years on. There is evidence that water births reduce tearing, I think the odds were just stacked against me... it'll be interesting to see what happens with my second baby, fingers crossed that hands/arms stay where they should!

[quote MIAAN]@Pinkblueberry yes!! I've heard that because apparently giving birth weakens your glutes or something? I'm not too sure x[/quote]
I think I can probably help clear this one up... Relaxin is a hormone produced during pregnancy and labour which softens the ligaments in the pelvis in order to help baby pass through. Your body goes back to normal after birth!

[quote MIAAN]@Pinkblueberry yes it really is daunting, I think I need to calm down a bit with the research[/quote]
Nothing wrong with doing your research and preparing yourself, but do be careful about your sources.

Bear in mind that you're more likely to hear (and remember) negative experiences simply because "I had a great pregnancy and water birth, the end" is a boring story! The reality is that most pregnancies and births are straightforward.

Hello,

My gums bled throughout the whole of my pregnancy and 2 months post natal one tooth chipped away at the back. Also have alot of hair loss at the moment as during my pregnancy my hair went so much thicker so guessing its returning back to normal.

I had an emergency section, it is a longer recovery but I was fine after the birth and was out walking a week later with baby, although walking slower than normal :)

• When pregnant you retain more hair than usual so generally hair loss after is just a return to your normal thickness. I’m breastfeeding and haven’t lost it yet.
• My teeth are fine but my mum had a lot of dental problems after her first pregnancy. Luck? I craved milk so might had managed to keep my calcium up.
• Induction of first time Mums is notoriously likely to end in c section. I had a quick, induced vaginal birth though. Why do you think you might need an induction?

Relaxin is a hormone produced during pregnancy and labour which softens the ligaments in the pelvis in order to help baby pass through. Your body goes back to normal after birth!

Yes I did some pregnancy Pilates and was ridiculously flexible around my legs and hips at the time - I can’t do those moves now!

I can only speak for myself but a lot of these side effects sounds horrible and scary before you have a baby, but to be honest when you’re busy looking after and (hopefully!) enjoying your baby you’re not nearly as bothered as you thought you would be. As a pp said, it’s definitely worth it!

@MIAAN I totally understand. I am expecting my 3rd and some of these boards put the fear of God in me and make me feel anxious when I have no reason to be. When this happens I take myself away from the boards and I suggest you do too. There is absolutely no reason you will experience the same symptoms as me for example, you might not have any. You might have lots of symptoms and a straight forward birth or no symptoms and end up with a section. You just won't know until it is your time and then all you can do is take one day at a time.

@laura2109, I had quite bad swelling due to water retention in my hands, feet and legs. I am a pharmacist so work standing up all day. My nose is the last thing to swell and I have an oval quite thin face (compared to the rest of me) so it looks bloody awful. Thankfully it went back to normal quite quickly after the births but in pictures of me pregnant it is unmissable. Thankfully both times it has been after 32 weeks that it has happened. If it happens this time around at least I will be wearing a mask a lot so other people might not notice.

Also no bum getting flat over here. I had an ass bigger than Kim Kardashian's before I was pregnant and it is just as big and sticks out just as much now.

My dd was born 9 days late. Spontaneous labour. Natural vaginal birth.

When I'm pregnancy I suffer from horrible bleeding gums. This could lead to serious issues. Lots of flossing and trips the the hygienist really help. Resolved after I had the baby. All hormone related.

Bless you. Pregnancy is daunting. I do think you should step away from the the Googling as it’s bound to scare you.

There’s no guarantee what side effects you will have unfortunately and all pregnancies are different. So what you might have in one you won’t have in another.

There are some that are more common than others. Some
I have experienced are as follows but nothing that hasn’t been manageable. And of course they all pass

Nausea
Vomiting
Hair Loss
Tiredness / Fatigue
Bleeding gums - had to have my first filling after my 2nd DC
Heartburn
PGP - pelvic pain
Insomnia

I’ve had 2 planned C sections. Both were calm and positive experiences. My second recovery was harder and I had an infection. But this was fixed with rest and antibiotics.

A CS scar is not visible as it’s low down in your pubic hair. I can confirm my bum has definitely not gone flat 🤣

Everything is worth it 😁

In my NCT group 5 of us got induced, 3 ended in c section and 2 natural births. I went over to 42 weeks so had to be induced but she wasn't budging! I tried all the tips to get her out but to no avail. Ended in emergency c section which was a little traumatic. Second birth opted for elective c section which was much calmer. Not had problems with teeth or hair or bones either time. Didn't take any supplements except for the advised vit d and folic acid.