It was the final month of my first pregnancy when I found myself crying in the dentist's chair. The culprit: none other than pregnancy hormones. Excessive bleeding, swelling, and gum irritation are lesser-known pregnancy symptoms that can mess with your mouth.
You're probably familiar with some of the more common pregnancy symptoms: morning sickness (rebrand that one to "all-day sickness"), swollen feet, exhaustion, food aversions ... But pregnancy can bring on many random changes, like my ultra-sensitive gums, that don't always get as much attention.
That is, unless you're scrolling the What to Expect Community. There, moms-to-be are constantly swapping stories about their wildest, weirdest, and most surprising pregnancy symptoms. To help you feel more seen, here are some of the most unexpected ones the Community has shared, plus, OB/GYN-backed explanations for what causes them and how to manage throughout the nine months.
Craving the smell of a garage, hairspray, and a swimming pool (yes, really!)
"I crave the smell of any chemicals … Cleaning products, hairspray, and air freshener. And I want to eat baby powder. The baby powder was a craving I've had with every pregnancy." — BabyPiglet25
"My sister's garage smells so freaking good. Her husband races dirt bikes; he has oil and two-stroke fuel in there. I smelled it at Thanksgiving and have been literally dreaming about it ever since." — trufflechuckle
"I crave the smell of the swimming pool and Lowe's. Lowe's smells amazing, LOL." — boymom81421
What to know about it
These unusual sensorial experiences may be linked to either desiderosmia, which is the excessive desire to smell certain substances,[1] or pica, an eating disorder characterized by the need to eat non-nutritive items. Both can happen during pregnancy thanks to changing hormones or an underlying iron deficiency.
What to do
"Avoid inhaling any harmful fumes, regardless of how appealing they may seem," says Shannon Smith, M.D., a board-certified OB/GYN at Brigham Faulkner OB/GYN Associates in Boston, Massachusetts. "Speak with your clinician about testing for iron deficiency anemia, as this is a common and treatable cause of these symptoms."
She recommends naturally increasing iron in your diet through leafy greens, beans, lentils, and red meat. Based on your lab results, your provider may recommend an oral iron supplement or IV infusions.
Nipple spasms
"My worst symptom has been vasospasms in my nipples! I didn't even know it was a thing, but apparently it's like a charley horse in your nips because they're cold. The first time it happened, it woke me up, and I just held my hand on it until it went away." — Chriseliza0325
What to know about it
This Community member was on the right track by warming the nipple until the feeling went away.
"Nipple vasospasms happen when blood vessels constrict, often triggered by cold temperatures or hormonal shifts," explains Lucky Sekhon, M.D., a double board-certified reproductive endocrinologist, fertility specialist, and OB/GYN at RMA of New York. "Pregnancy increases blood flow and sensitivity, which can make these spasms more noticeable and painful."
What to do
Keep nipples warm, avoid sudden temperature changes, and apply gentle heat when symptoms occur. "If spasms are frequent or severe, your provider may suggest topical treatments or evaluate circulation issues," Dr. Sekhon adds.
Itchy moles
"My moles were super itchy late first, early second trimester. It felt like bug bites, but has gotten better." — Genericname21
What to know about it
Shifting hormone levels increase blood flow to the skin, explains Dr. Sekhon, sometimes making existing moles feel more sensitive or itchy. Changes in melanocytes, the cells responsible for pigment, can also cause moles to darken or new ones to appear, adds Dr. Smith.
While often harmless, itchy moles can occasionally signal something more serious, especially if they bleed or change in size, color, or shape. For peace of mind, have any concerning moles checked by a dermatologist sooner rather than later.
What to do
To ease itching, stick with gentle, fragrance-free moisturizers, wear soft, breathable fabrics, and avoid overheating, Dr. Smith says. Mild anti-itch creams or antihistamines may help in some cases, but use them only after getting your provider's okay, she adds.
Extreme facial hair growth
"One day, I woke up, and I suddenly had sideburns. Luckily, I'm blonde; the hair was so baby fine and pale that you couldn't really notice it. But it came out of nowhere and was substantial … I remember obsessing over it like, 'OMG, I'm going to grow a freaking beard.' Anyway, it never came back and must have fallen out, because there was no evidence of it after a few days. Pregnancy is so weird." — ajb710
What to know about it
While many moms-to-be enjoy lush "pregnancy hair," it can also sometimes appear in unwanted places.
"Pregnancy hormones — especially increased androgens — can temporarily stimulate hair growth in unexpected places," explains Dr. Sekhon. "At the same time, hair shedding is delayed, making new growth more noticeable."
The good news is that most pregnancy-related hair growth resolves on its own three to six months postpartum, says Dr. Smith.
What to do
Shaving, waxing, or threading can get rid of unwanted hair. More permanent hair removal options, such as laser or prescription topical creams, aren't well studied in pregnancy, so check with your doctor first.
Never-ending nosebleeds
"Nosebleeds that last an hour or more. Never had one in my life prior to the past few weeks, and this is my second pregnancy!" — laoko
What to know about it
Increased blood volume and estrogen can cause nasal blood vessels to swell and become fragile, making nosebleeds more common during pregnancy, explains Dr. Sekhon. Dry air (hello, winter pregnancy) and nasal congestion (more on that below) can make bleeding more likely, adds Dr. Smith.
What to do
"Manage them by leaning forward and pinching the soft part of your nose for 10 minutes," Dr. Smith advises. Prevent them from happening by keeping the nasal passages moist with humidifiers or saline spray. (And maybe avoid wearing white just in case.)
Your wildest dreams
"The craziest [symptom] has been the dreams I've been having! Super realistic, movie-like dreams, sometimes scary, sometimes so sad, and they really bother me." — egw09262002
What to know about it
Hormones can take the blame here, too (sigh). "Vivid, strange, or frightening dreams are extremely common in pregnancy because hormonal fluctuations intensify emotional processing and make the dream state more active," Dr. Smith says.
Sleep disruptions, from frequent bathroom trips to bouts of insomnia, can also cause you to wake up during or right after a dream, making it feel especially memorable or intense. "Normal worries about the baby, childbirth, and the major life changes ahead can also surface subconsciously, shaping dream content," Dr. Smith adds.
What to do
If the dreams become distressing, journaling, relaxation techniques, or discussing them with your clinician can help.
Fake colds
"The sinus congestion has to be my most annoying symptom. It is nonstop." — Courtney6118
What to know about it
The good news: You're probably not actually sick with an infection or virus. "'Fake colds in pregnancy are usually caused by hormonal changes rather than an actual infection, and this is known as pregnancy rhinitis," confirms Dr. Smith. "Rising estrogen and progesterone lead to increased blood flow in the nasal tissues, which causes swelling, excess mucus, and a persistent feeling of congestion that mimics a cold."
What to do
While uncomfortable, it's usually fixable with some saline spray, a humidifier, and a couple of extra pillows at night. (If you have more serious symptoms like a fever or body aches, talk to your provider.)
No matter what's causing your stuffiness, "Avoid decongestants unless cleared by your doctor," Dr. Sekhon advises.
Ear popping
"My ears keep popping like I'm in an airplane!" — Redpanda25
What to know about it
It's no secret that everything is pretty swollen during pregnancy, including your ears. "Fluid retention and swelling of the Eustachian tubes can affect ear pressure, creating popping or fullness similar to being on an airplane," explains Dr. Sekhon.
What to do
To equalize the pressure, try yawning, swallowing, or gently moving your jaw. Saline nasal sprays, humidifiers, warm showers, and staying well-hydrated may also help, adds Dr. Smith.
Check with your doctor if you have ear pain that is accompanied by fever, dizziness, headache, or vision changes.
Feeling itchy downstairs
"I had the worst itching … down there. I've never had anything like it! And just because I know you're thinking it — not a UTI, not a yeast infection, and not an STI. Just hormonal changes messing with the pH, I guess." — Mcarlson01
What to know about it
This Community member was spot on — pregnancy hormones can alter vaginal pH and make things extra itchy, dry, or sensitive, confirms Dr. Sekhon.
That said, this isn't one to self-diagnose. "Yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis (BV), UTIs, allergies to soaps or detergents, and even normal vulvar swelling (vulval engorgement) can all contribute, which is why an accurate diagnosis from your clinician is essential," says Dr. Smith.
What to do
To calm irritation, stick to gentle, fragrance-free products, wear breathable cotton underwear, and rinse the area with water only.
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