Pregnancy makes a woman more susceptible to colds, allergies,and flu complications. Our immune systems are compromised, making it easier to catch illnesses. We often struggle with concentration and balance due to hormones and their effect on our brains and bodies. Pregnant women are also apt to suffer mood swings, aches and pains, and nausea. Pregnancy is the only condition that makes it normal to suffer from so many different symptoms and side effects! Besides the various classic symptoms of pregnancy, you might find yourself at an increased risk for:
Developing gum disease. Pregnancy is no time to slack when it “gums” to taking care of your pearly whites. (Ha!) Make sure to visit the dentist at least once during your pregnancy and keep an eye out for symptoms of gum disease, such as bleeding gums.
Developing a urinary tract infection. A UTI does not always cause a lot of pain and the frequent urination that often occurs with a UTI could easily be mistaken for the common pregnancy symptom. Left untreated, it could lead to a nasty kidney infection. Your doctor will test your urine at each visit, so you shouldn’t have to worry about not catching it in time.
Diabetic retinopathy (if you have Type 2 Diabetes, that is.) Diabetic retinopathy is essentially damage to the blood vessels in the retina and can lead to blindness. Get an eye exam during your first trimester if you have Type 2 diabetes.
Thrush. You often hear about babies getting this yeast infection, but pregnant women are at risk, too, because of their compromised immune systems. It causes white patches in the mouth and on the tongue and can easily be treated.
So, when that cute little baby you’ve got growing inside grows up and has the audacity to say, “you don’t love me,” when you don’t give them something they want, you can show them this list of all the things you went up against to make them a part of your life.