The Pregnancy Body Changes No One Talks About — But Absolutely Should
We all know pregnancy changes your life from the moment you see that positive test. But what doesn’t get talked about nearly enough?
The body changes. The weird ones. The uncomfortable ones. The “am I the only person this has ever happened to?” ones.
Let’s get into it.
Shows and movies make it seem like pregnancy is all glowing skin and adorable bumps — but real pregnancy? It’s a wild ride and I’m here to walk you through the five big body changes you might experience that no one seems to warn you about.
Nausea — And Not Just “Morning” Sickness
Everyone expects a little queasiness in the first trimester, but the term morning sickness is misleading. Nausea can show up anytime — morning, afternoon, evening — and it can come and go throughout your pregnancy. Some people never get it. Some feel it only early on. Some get hit with a surprise round at the end of pregnancy.
Here are a few things that may help:
Eat small meals throughout the day — an empty stomach can make nausea worse.
Try a small snack before getting out of bed (I survived early pregnancy on stale bedside crackers).
Talk to your provider about safe medications — suffering isn’t a requirement of pregnancy.
Consider gentle remedies like ginger chews, acupressure bands, or anti-nausea stickers — evidence varies, so check with your provider first.
Opt for bland foods when possible — now is not the time for flaming hot Cheetos.
💡 When to call your provider: If you’re vomiting repeatedly, can’t keep food or fluids down, losing weight, or unable to perform daily tasks, you may be experiencing hyperemesis gravidarum, which requires medical support.
Exhaustion Like You’ve Never Experienced
Pregnancy fatigue is not normal tiredness. It’s “a zookeeper tranquilized me mid-sentence” tired. It can hit suddenly — you’re fine one minute and ready to nap on the side of the highway the next.
This exhaustion is especially strong in the first trimester thanks to hormonal changes and again in the third trimester thanks to the sheer physical effort of carrying a baby, placenta, amniotic fluid, and your regular life.
There’s no magic fix, but knowing it’s normal (and temporary!) can help you give yourself some grace.
“Areola Grande”: Nipple & Areolar Changes
Let’s talk nipples. Yes, those nipples.
Many pregnant people notice their nipples and areolas becoming bigger and darker — sometimes significantly. And yes, they can feel large enough to be seen from space. This change helps your baby find the breast during early feeding attempts.
Here’s why it happens:
Increased estrogen and progesterone
Melanin stimulation causing the skin to darken
Normal physiologic changes as your body prepares for breastfeeding
You might also notice small bumps on the areola — these are Montgomery glands, which secrete a scent similar to amniotic fluid to guide your baby toward the nipple.
Wild? Absolutely. Normal? Completely.
Vulvar Changes: Swelling, Discharge & Varicose Veins
Your vulva is on quite the journey during pregnancy, thanks to hormone shifts and increased blood flow. Here’s what might happen:
Swelling
Yes, those lips — the lower ones — can swell, feel heavy, or look different. Ice and rest can help (with a barrier between skin and ice, please — no accidental labia popsicles).
Increased Discharge
More discharge is common, especially milky white with no strong smell. But hormonal shifts also increase the chance of yeast or bacterial infections, so if anything feels off, get checked.
Varicose Veins (Including Vulvar Varicosities)
If you’ve never heard of vulvar varicose veins… surprise! They’re a thing. I am a VVV survivor myself — vulvar varicosities from the thighs up into the labia. Charming, I know.
Hemorrhoids are also varicose veins — just in the anus.
What may help:
Compression socks (they come in thigh-high versions—very fashionable)
Rest, elevation, and cooling
Over-the-counter hemorrhoid treatments with provider approval
The good news? They typically improve after birth. The not-so-good news? They may get worse before they get better — especially after pushing.
Lightning Crotch (Yes, That’s the Real Term)
Whoever named this one… nailed it.
Lightning crotch feels like a sudden, sharp zap of pain in the cervix — like your baby just delivered a surprise uppercut from the inside. It’s normal, especially later in pregnancy.
It happens because:
Baby is moving lower into the pelvis
Their movements are getting stronger
Ligaments loosen due to hormones
Pressure on the nerves around the cervix
Relief is hit-or-miss since the sensation is so quick, but you can try:
Moving more slowly and deliberately
Using a pregnancy support belt
Warm baths or prenatal massage (if approved by your provider)
Pregnancy is incredible — but also incredibly strange at times. From swollen vulvas to pepperoni nipples to cervix punches from your unborn child, your body is doing some impressive and bizarre things to grow a human being.
What unexpected changes surprised you during pregnancy?
