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What Happens to Your Body During Pregnancy

From excess saliva to changing shoe sizes–five pregnancy side effects you may not know about.

by: Sydney Loney

ou may have expected the nausea, sore breasts and backache, but what about the nosebleeds, excess saliva and constipation? Here are five common pregnancy-related symptoms most new moms-to-be don't know about:

1. You may have excess saliva and nasal congestion.

Some women find they have so much extra saliva that they have to spit into a tissue or cup to get rid of it. "Hypersalivation, or ptyalism, often goes along with bad morning sickness," says Dr. Marjorie Greenfield, an ob/gyn in Cleveland and author of The Working Woman's Pregnancy Book. "Sucking on a hard candy may make it feel more normal and help you swallow more easily." (Just avoid sour candies and gum, which can increase saliva production.)

Brushing your teeth or rinsing with mouthwash might also help, as well as taking small, frequent sips of water. Because ptyalism may be the result of nausea or heartburn, let your doctor know so she can address any underlying problems.

Another common side effect of pregnancy is an increase in nasal congestion (a.k.a. rhinitis of pregnancy). This can occur any time during pregnancy and is believed to be caused by fluctuating hormones. Here are a few things that will help you breathe easier:

• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Keep your head elevated at night.
• Take a warm shower, or moisten a washcloth with hot water, hold it up to your face and breathe.
• Blow your nose gently to avoid nose bleeds, which are also more common during pregnancy because the blood vessels in your nose tend to expand and rupture more easily.
• Talk to your doctor about using saline drops or nasal spray.