I remember sitting on the edge of my bed one morning, staring at my left ankle—or more accurately, the place where my ankle used to be. It had been replaced by a soft, puffy log. No warning. No gradual swelling. Just poof. Cankle.
I asked Google (again), “Is this normal?” And down the rabbit hole I went.
Pregnancy is this strange, beautiful, bizarre ride. People warn you about the morning sickness and the back pain—but no one tells you about the truly odd stuff. So here’s my list of the top 12 weirdest pregnancy symptoms I didn’t see coming. If you’re Googling in a panic at 3am, just know: you are definitely not alone.
1. The Metallic Mouth
At one point, it tasted like I had been chewing aluminum foil. Constantly. I brushed, rinsed, drank lemon water, chewed mint leaves—I basically became a walking teabag—and still, the metal mouth stayed. Apparently, it’s called dysgeusia and yes, it’s normal. Delightful.
2. The Dream Channel That No One Subscribed To
Never in my life have I had more vivid, bizarre dreams. Some were sweet (baby flying through clouds), others were just unhinged (I married a mango). I once woke up crying because I dreamt my husband turned into a table and forgot who I was.
3. Pregnancy Nose
My sense of smell turned into something out of a Marvel movie. I could smell onions from the next street. Unfortunately, this also meant certain smells (like soap, coffee, or my neighbor’s perfume) made me gag like I was on a reality show challenge.
4. Random Crying
I cried because a pigeon looked lonely. I cried because someone ate the last slice of bread (me, I was the someone). There is no logic—just emotions. All of them. All at once.
5. Gum Bleeding
Did you know your gums might bleed while brushing during pregnancy? Neither did I—until I thought I had flossed myself into a medical emergency. It’s the hormones. They make everything a little puffier, including your gums. Cute.
6. Skin Tags. So Many Skin Tags.
I found one behind my knee, and I swear it popped up overnight. My neck, my underarms—little taggy surprises everywhere. Apparently, they often disappear after birth, but no one puts this on the pregnancy brochure.
7. The Itchy Belly (and… other places)
Yes, your skin is stretching. Yes, it’s going to itch. But also? I once scratched my ankle with a fork. Pregnancy brings a very particular kind of full-body tingle that lotion can’t always fix.
8. Lightning Crotch
Yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like. A sudden, sharp, electric jolt “down there” that stops you mid-step and makes strangers look at you like you’ve seen a ghost. Fun!
9. Superhuman Saliva
I produced enough spit to water a houseplant. I had to keep tissues by the bed. Some days, I felt like a golden retriever waiting for snacks.
10. Line of Mystery (Linea Nigra)
One morning, I noticed a faint dark line down my belly—like someone drew on me with an eyeliner. It’s totally normal and hormonal, and honestly, I started thinking of it as my superhero stripe.
11. The Gas. Oh, the Gas.
Silent. Loud. Sudden. Betrayal at its finest. I’ve never apologized to furniture before, but there’s a first time for everything.
12. Nosebleeds
I hadn’t had a nosebleed since I was 12, then suddenly—bam. A sneeze would set it off. It’s the increased blood flow and pressure in your vessels. Nothing serious, just surprising. And messy.
So, Is It Normal?
Here’s the truth: normal in pregnancy is a moving target. If it’s strange, mildly embarrassing, and makes you question your body daily—yes, it’s probably normal. But also, when in doubt, talk to your healthcare provider. You’ll never annoy them by asking. (Trust me—I once called mine about hiccups. Mine. Not the baby’s.)
Growing a human is wild and weird and wonderful. So the next time something unexpected pops up—just smile, scratch where it itches, and whisper, “I was warned.”
You’re doing amazing, mama.
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