Viral Strange has collected pictures of odd experiences pregnant women and/or their partners have shared on their social media.

1. One Of My Coworkers Decided To Mansplain How Many Calories I Should Be Eating So The Rest Of The Staff Gave Him An Award

The physical symptoms during pregnancy can be as weird as annoying. Shanna and Laura of “Big Fat Positive” have shared their journey through their pregnancy. Shanna said: “My nipples felt like they were on fire! It was actually the very first symptom of both my pregnancies and lasted the entire time… I found out it was a condition called Raynaud’s phenomenon, which causes blood vessels to constrict and cause pain. Thank goodness it did go away after giving birth, because I was terrified I would have to breastfeed with fire nipples!”
Laura, on the other hand, said: “When I was pregnant with my first child I almost instantly developed a heightened sense of smell, and it’s never gone away! I can even smell weird things, like if people are hungry or the weather is changing.”

Laura also mentioned that she tried many “unusual things”: “You light cigar-shaped bundles of mugwort leaves on fire and hold them close to certain pressure points, but the smoke was too pungent for me. So I found myself sitting outside in December, barefoot, 9-months pregnant, in a bathrobe and shower cap, holding burning embers to my pinkie toes. (Spoiler alert: it didn’t work.)”

On the other hand, Shanna said: “At about six months pregnant I thought I could ride a bike to my office with my big belly while holding my backpack, lunch, and a full cup of iced tea. It wasn’t my bike, so the seat was way too high, my toes barely reached the pedals, the seat was digging into my crotch, and I could barely control the handlebars.”

2. I’ve Thought Of A Million And One Reasons Why Not To Post This Photo But It’s For That Exact Reason I Am

Laura and Shanna want to remind other moms that pregnancy can be very exhausting. “The first trimester is unbelievably fatiguing, which can be surprising since you don’t have a big baby in you yet,” said Shanna. “The energy it takes to create an entirely new organ (placenta) and a new life is monumental. Be easy on pregnant women and let them rest, rest, rest! Pregnancy is a gauntlet, but even more than the physical demands, society puts unrealistic expectations on pregnant people. We’re supposed to be enjoying every moment while also monitoring everything we eat and drink and limiting activities in case they’re risky for the baby. It’s emotionally exhausting and anxiety-inducing.” said Laura.

3. This Is The Absolute Sweetest

During their pregnancy, many women crave hilarious food combinations. According to a study made by The State University of New York, Albany the most common pregnancy cravings for women in the US are sweets, pizza, chips, fruit, and animal proteins.

4. Being pregnant…

Another thing women experience is “pregnancy brain” or “baby brain”. This refers to the lack of concentration, disorientation, and clumsiness pregnant women feel. Up to 81% of pregnant women experience it somehow, wrote Colleen de Bellefonds for BabyCenter.
Trouble sleeping is also another “gift” coming with pregnancy. “More than half of women report insomnia and other sleep problems during pregnancy. A consistent lack of sleep has been shown to impact cognitive functions and memory,” shared Bellefonds.

5. Five Days From My Due Date Got Me Like. I Like To Call This One “2 AM Hot Flashes”

The discomfort these ladies have from their bodies growing can be crucial for women to feel understood. According to a study published in The Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine, the partner’s role affects the woman’s stress levels. A loving and communicative partner can be a huge help during pregnancy.

6. My Buddy’s Wife Says This Is The Best Part Of Being Pregnant

7. The Size Of This Belly

That “pregnancy glow” comes from a mixture of hormonal changes and increased blood flow. It affects the oil levels and the brightness of women’s looks. Dr. Anna Targonskaya, an OB-GYN and medical advisor, also said that “longer, shinier hair and stronger, faster-growing nails are side effects of pregnancy that many women enjoy. Most women tend to be extra radiant during the second trimester as the changes in their body become more intense”.

8. My Feet Now (Top) vs. My Feet When I Was 8+ Months Pregnant With The Twins (Bottom)