Nobody Told Me: Pregnancy Edition
I hear “whoa, I had no idea” or “I didn’t know that” a lot when I’m helping people give birth.
So here it is — the first instalment of Nobody Told Me: the pregnancy edition!
Before we dive in… have you checked out our courses? They’ll pair well with this blog!
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Your game plan, done.
OK let’s get into it.
1) Exhaustion (like a tranquilizer dart to the butt)
Exhaustion in pregnancy — especially the first trimester — is really, really real. You may think you’re ready, but it’s a different kind of tired.
Why it happens:
Hormones: Progesterone spikes sharply in the first trimester and can have a drowsy/sedating effect.
Physiology: You’re drastically increasing blood volume to supply the placenta and baby. Toting around that extra fluid is real work.
Iron: Later in pregnancy, low iron can drop hemoglobin. Hemoglobin carries oxygen, so less oxygen reaching tissues/muscles = that heavy, lethargic feeling.
2) Round Ligament Pain (the dull, constant ache)
This often shows up in a first pregnancy (because the sensations are new), usually in the second trimester. As your abdomen expands and skin stretches, you might notice itchiness or stretch marks that ache — but the most common complaint I hear is a dull ache on one or both sides.
That’s typically round ligament pain. Your uterus is supported by two ligaments that run from the top/sides of the uterus to the pelvic bones. As baby grows, these ligaments stretch and tighten with movement — cue the ache.
Always touch base with your provider the first time you feel new pain. It’s usually normal, but your provider knows you and your pregnancy best.
What can help: avoid sudden movements that trigger pain, rest when possible, warm shower/bath, heat or cooling packs, consider a belly support band, and ask your provider about acetaminophen.
3) Advil isn’t safe to take in pregnancy (usually)
NSAIDs (Advil/ibuprofen, naproxen) should generally be avoided in pregnancy unless specifically advised by your provider. Safety is especially unclear in the first trimester, and there’s possible association with birth defects.
There are exceptions: if you have chronic headaches and acetaminophen isn’t working, a provider may allow limited second-trimester NSAID use (e.g., ≤48 hours). But as a rule Advil is out without explicit guidance.
4) The Answers to the “Can I…?” Questions
Pregnancy turns life gray areas into black-and-white. Can I eat sushi? Dye my hair? Fly? Get a massage? You’ll hear conflicting info (ask me about the spa that said no while my doctor said yes).
Pro tip: keep a running “Can I…?” list for appointments (early visits are every 4 weeks, so you don’t forget). For reputable online info between visits, check Ask ACOG. Your provider remains your home base.
5) Braxton Hicks can go on and on (and they can HURT)
Hollywood taught me Braxton Hicks happen when you’re very pregnant — but they can start as early as the third trimester. They’re often called “false labor” (offensive, I know) — what that means is uterine activity without cervical change. Think of them as practice contractions; your uterus is toning for the big day.
Common triggers: dehydration, full bladder, belly being touched, after sex, or a very active day. Sometimes there’s no rhyme or reason. It’s frustrating: I’ve had strings of them where I thought, This is it! Then I’d fall asleep and wake up annoyed when it wasn’t baby time. It’s now part of my story — and I wish I’d known more, sooner.
