10 hidden pregnancy signs you might not know about
Jeremy Pawlowski/Stocksy
Ah, pregnancy. A time of witnessing the true power and magnificence of your body—and just how weird it can be.
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While your body is doing the hard work of growing a baby, it’s also doing some pretty strange things in the process. While it can feel odd to be in a body that’s changing so much, trust that much of it is normal, and you are not alone in what you’re feeling. That constantly runny nose? Lowered libido? Those could all be hidden pregnancy signs.
Hidden pregnancy signs at a glance
- Nasal congestion
- Strange cravings
- Drooling
- Leaking breasts
- Changed sex drive
- Bleeding gums
- All-day nausea
- Constipation
- Pelvic pain or “lightning crotch”
- Mood swings
10 hidden pregnancy symptoms you may have never heard of
1. A constantly stuffy nose
What it is: Otherwise known as pregnancy rhinitis, it’s basically feeling like you have allergies or a cold—all the time. You may have a stuffy/runny nose and sneezing. There’s also a strange phenomenon where the nose may get a little bigger in pregnancy, known as ‘pregnancy nose‘.
Why it happens: During pregnancy, more blood flows to your mucus membranes (areas like your vagina, mouth and nose). This can trigger your nose to run.
What can help: Talk to your provider to make sure it’s not something more serious first. If you’re having difficulty breathing because of it, get medical treatment right away. Otherwise, nose strips can help open up the nasal passageways, while saline nose sprays and cool mist humidifiers can help moisturize things so it feel less irritating.
Related: 7 early signs of pregnancy—before a positive test
2. Craving nonedible substances
What it is: This is called pica—craving things with little or no nutritional value. Specific cravings can include (but are not limited to) ice, freezer frost, dirt, clay, chalk, raw flour or cornstarch.
Why it happens: We don’t know for certain, but many experts suspect that pica develops when a pregnant woman is lacking certain minerals or vitamins in her diet, such as iron.
What can help: Eating the above mentioned substances can be harmful to you and your baby, so it’s important to seek help if you find yourself craving or eating them. Speak to your provider right away, who may prescribe you an iron supplement.
Related: The new mama’s guide to pregnancy symptoms
3. Drooling
What is is: Waking up with more drool on your pillow than usual? Ptyalism, or hypersalivation, is an increase in saliva production that’s somewhat common in pregnancy.
Why it happens: Hypersalivation in pregnancy can sometimes be in response to all the nausea and vomiting. The hormones of pregnancy can also increase the amount your saliva glands produce.
What can help: If you have consistent nausea, try eating frequent, small meals. Make sure you’re getting regular dental care, too. Beyond that, you can try chewing gum or sucking on candy (ginger candy is great for morning sickness). Take heart; this often resolves by the end of your first trimester.
Related: 5 ways to manage nausea in pregnancy—naturally
4. Leaking breasts
What it is: Breast milk—technically colostrum—that leaks from your nipples while you are pregnant.
Why is happens: As your breasts prepare to make colostrum, or first milk, for your new baby, you may find that they start to leak while you are still pregnant. It typically happens at night, meaning you might wake up to find leak spots on your pajamas or sheets. This doesn’t happen to everyone, and it doesn’t seem to have much significance in terms of breastfeeding ability—if you are not leaking now, it does not mean that you won’t have enough milk when your baby is born.
What can help: As long as it’s not bloody, there’s usually nothing to worry about it (and no way to prevent it). You can always tuck reusable breast pads into a sleep bra or tank at night to stop the leaks.
5. Changed sex drive
What it is: Suddenly wanting to have sex way more than usual—or way less than usual.
Why it happens: Fluctuating hormones can lower your libido, as can your level of exhaustion, nausea and back pain—all this can of course put a damper on feeling romantic.
But hormones can also increase your sexual desire. And, all that increased blood flow to your pelvis can make you feel extra in-the-mood, can increase vaginal lubrication and can make sex feel better.
What can help: Listen to your body. If it’s telling you it needs a break, sleep. If it’s telling you it needs sex, well…have fun! As long as you’ve gotten the green light from your medical provider to have sex, enjoy this time of feeling extra connected to your partner—you just may need to get a little creative as your belly grows.
Related: Pregnancy kills my libido, so here’s how my partner and I get creative
6. Bleeding gums
What it is: Called pregnancy gingivitis, it’s when your gums bleed easily, especially when brushing your teeth.
Why it happens: Pregnancy gingivitis can be caused by increased blood flow to your gums, or changes in your body that make your gums more sensitive to bacteria.
What can help: Take great care of your teeth and gums, and see a dentist for your twice-yearly cleanings. Dental hygiene is always important—and in pregnancy it’s even more so. Routine dental care is safe during pregnancy, and can contribute to many health benefits for you and your baby (including improving those pesky bleeding gums). Just make sure to tell your dentist if you are (or could be) pregnant.
Psst: You may also get bloody noses. When you do, apply firm pressure to the outside of the bridge of your nose, and lean forward so you don’t swallow too much blood. If it’s bleeding heavily or does not stop, seek emergency medical care.
7. Morning sickness that’s really all-day sickness
What it is: Many women, especially before week 14, feel nauseous all day long, not just in the morning.
Why it happens: Pregnancy-induced nausea is caused by the high levels of a hormone called hCG in your body (the same hormone that pregnancy tests detect). In addition, when you’re pregnant, your body is more sensitive to the changing levels of glucose (sugar) in your body—women often find that when they are hungry, they get nauseous (a totally unfair combo, we know).
What can help: Eat. One of the best ways to curtail nausea in pregnancy is constantly eating small amounts of food. Keep crackers with you at all times and pop a few every hour. Keep crackers by your bedside and have a few every time you get up in the middle of the night to pee. Make sure to sip on water as well. (Psst: check out this list of snack ideas too.)
If you spend 24 or more hours without eating or drinking, or if you’re throwing up and can’t keep anything down, head to an emergency room—it’s easy to get dehydrated so they’ll likely give you IV fluid (and some medicine to make you feel better). And keep an eye out for symptoms of hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe form of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy.
Related: How to cope with hyperemesis gravidarum, from a mama who’s going through it
8. Constipation
What it is: Difficulty having a bowel movement, hard bowel movements, or infrequent bowel movements.
Why it happens: Hormones that relax the muscles and tissues in your body during pregnancy can also s-l-o-w everything down in your digestive tract. Sometimes this can also be caused by the iron in your prenatal vitamins, or by not eating enough fiber.
What can help: Water, water, water. Make sure you’re staying very well hydrated—about 10-12 cups of fluid per day. And eat lots of fruits and vegetables, as well as prunes, bran and high fiber cereals. Exercise can also help you get things moving again.
9. “Lightning crotch”
What it is: Sharp pains in your vagina or lower abdomen, especially toward the end of pregnancy.
Why it happens: As baby’s head is getting lower and bigger, it’s putting more pressure on your pelvis and all the nerves in it. Ouch!
What can help: Staying active (especially doing activities where your hips move around) can help because it opens up your pelvis, giving the baby a little more room. Yoga, dancing and swimming are great ways to do this.
*If you get this pain over five times in an hour and you are earlier than 37 weeks pregnant, call your doctor or midwife to make sure it’s not preterm labor.
10. Extreme emotions
What it is: Waves of emotions that are stronger than you’re used to—happy, sad, crying, happy…
Why it happens: Hormones again, for the win. Also, your body is working extra hard growing your baby, and you are anticipating a huge change in your life, all things that can contribute to your emotional state.
What can help: Be gentle on yourself, and allow yourself to feel the emotions you have. Explain to your partner, friends and co-workers what’s going on and let them know how to best support you.
Also, it’s important to know that prenatal (not just postpartum) depression and anxiety exist—if you’re feeling consistently sad or anxious, let your doctor or midwife know, and consult a therapist. And if you feel like hurting yourself or others, get to an emergency room right away. Remember, it’s not your fault and you are not alone.
Hidden pregnancy: An under-recognized phenomenon
Can you be pregnant and not know it? That’s a phenomenon called ‘cryptic pregnancy’.
Cryptic pregnancy, also known as a stealth or denied pregnancy, occurs when a woman is unaware of her pregnancy until the later stages or until she gives birth. This phenomenon can be baffling and emotionally challenging for those who experience it.
Understanding cryptic pregnancy
Cryptic pregnancies happen for a variety of reasons, including irregular menstrual cycles, minimal pregnancy symptoms, or recent pregnancy, leading a woman to believe she cannot become pregnant again so soon. Psychological factors, such as extreme stress or denial due to life circumstances, can also play a significant role.
Signs and challenges
Unlike traditional pregnancies, cryptic pregnancies may show none of the common signs, like nausea or a missed period, or these symptoms may be so mild that they’re dismissed. The lack of awareness can lead to missed prenatal care, causing concerns for both maternal and fetal health.
If you have more questions on the hidden signs of pregnancy you can read more on the National Library of Medicine.
FAQ: Understanding hidden pregnancy signs
What are hidden pregnancy signs?
Hidden pregnancy signs are lesser-known symptoms that may not be immediately recognized as related to pregnancy. These can include nasal congestion, strange cravings, drooling, leaking breasts, changes in sex drive, bleeding gums, all-day nausea, constipation, pelvic pain, and mood swings.
Can nasal congestion be a sign of pregnancy?
Yes, nasal congestion, often referred to as pregnancy rhinitis, can be a sign of pregnancy. It is caused by increased blood flow to the mucous membranes.
What causes strange cravings during pregnancy?
Strange cravings during pregnancy, known as pica, might indicate nutritional deficiencies. It’s essential to discuss these cravings with a healthcare provider to ensure both maternal and fetal health.
Is it normal to drool more during pregnancy?
Increased saliva production, or ptyalism, is a common yet often surprising sign of pregnancy. It can be related to nausea and the body’s hormonal changes.
Why might my breasts leak during pregnancy?
Leaking breasts during pregnancy indicate the body’s preparation for breastfeeding. This leakage is colostrum, the first milk, which may start during pregnancy.
How does pregnancy affect sex drive?
Pregnancy can either increase or decrease sex drive due to hormonal changes. Both experiences are normal and vary from person to person.
Are bleeding gums a sign of pregnancy?
Yes, bleeding gums, or pregnancy gingivitis, occur due to increased blood flow to the gums and changes in the body that make gums more sensitive to bacteria.
What can I do about nausea that lasts all day?
Eating frequent, small meals and keeping crackers handy can help manage nausea. If nausea is severe, it’s important to consult a healthcare provider.
How can I alleviate constipation during pregnancy?
Staying hydrated and consuming high-fiber foods, such as fruits and vegetables, can help alleviate constipation. Regular exercise is also beneficial.
What is “lightning crotch”?
“Lightning crotch” refers to sharp, shooting pains in the pelvis or vagina, often experienced in late pregnancy due to the baby’s pressure on pelvic nerves.
Is it normal to experience mood swings during pregnancy?
Yes, mood swings are a common pregnancy symptom due to hormonal changes and the significant life transition that pregnancy represents.
Remember, while these hidden signs can be part of the pregnancy experience, it’s always best to discuss any concerns or unusual symptoms with your healthcare provider to ensure the health and well-being of both mother and baby.
A version of this story was originally published on Dec. 15, 2017. It has been updated.
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