Pregnancy Benefits: 11 Unexpected Perks That Come With the Territory
I think we can all agree that pregnancy comes with plenty of undesirable side effects—frequent urination(, fatigue, the inability to get comfortable in any position. And while the unpleasantries are bountiful, expecting a baby also comes with some unexpected perks.
In my case, my pregnancy appetite got me into what I’ll call “complex cooking,” which was a first for me. I was twice-baking potatoes and whipping up hummus from scratch—the kitchen was my oyster. Granted, I dropped my newfound (impossibly time-consuming) hobby the moment I gave birth, but what a fun temporary journey! And, of course, some women experience physical pregnancy benefits too (hello, shiny hair and glowing skin!). Suffice it to say, it’s not all nausea and breast pain. Read on to learn more about the surprising but exciting bonuses that might come with the territory.
Some women report an increased sex drive during pregnancy. Hormonally, it adds up! “Pregnancy can be great for a woman’s sex drive. Progesterone, which is high right after ovulation and especially during pregnancy, boosts libido. In addition, sex hormones (testosterone and estrogen) from the developing baby only contribute to that boost,” says Rebecca Keith, MD, an ob-gyn at Pediatrix Medical Group in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. Of course, keep in mind that other pregnancy symptoms (like the aforementioned lack of ability to get comfortable in any position) might cancel out the hormonal boost—especially in the later months of pregnancy. It’s a subjective experience for every mom-to-be!
While some pregnant women will get skin tags and acne, others will have the most radiant complexions ever. You can thank hormones and increased blood volume for your natural glow or flatteringly flushed look. Enjoy the freebie beauty boost for now. Soon enough, you’ll have bags under those exhausted new-mom eyes!
In pregnancy, hair loss decreases. That means your hair might look the fullest it’s ever been in your life. Unfortunately, your good hair era will likely come to an abrupt end after you give birth, at which time hair loss increases. “In all of my pregnancies, my curls were gorgeous and my hair was thick and healthy. No one prepared me for losing so much after my babies arrived!” says Jasmine B. Alas, what good hair pregnancy giveth, it taketh away.
Who wouldn’t want a doctor-approved excuse to catch more zzz’s? Pregnancy gives you just that. In fact, as anyone who’s been through the first trimester can attest, pregnancy hormones can make it almost impossible to stay awake at times. Diane Ortega, CNM, MSN, a certified nurse midwife at Willow Birth Center in Mesa, Arizona, explains that “the hormonal changes that women experience during pregnancy make naps a requirement!” So kick your feet up, and use this time to stockpile sleep before baby arrives.
This perk is more like a silver lining, but it’s pretty fun nonetheless. In pregnancy, women tend to have interrupted sleep. When people wake up during REM sleep, the sleep phase in which dreams occur, they tend to remember their dreams more. “Some women report that their nights become more fun with these deep and vivid dreams, diving into subconscious thoughts about becoming a mother,” says Ortega. If you’re looking for a project, keeping a pregnancy dream journal could make for an amusing read down the road.
One of the best benefits of pregnancy is that it can reduce the risk of hormone-dependent cancers, such as breast, uterine and ovarian cancers. “Ovulation suppression from pregnancy reduces the lifetime exposure to estrogen and progesterone,” says Keith. Estrogen and progesterone can pose a risk because they “increase the risk of tumor cells dividing and stimulate cell growth, contributing to cancer risks,” according to Ortega.
Some studies show that women are less likely to develop multiple sclerosis (MS) during pregnancy. And for pregnant women who already have MS, pregnancy can temporarily relieve their symptoms. “If you have multiple sclerosis, it may be less likely to flare up in late pregnancy. The immune responses decrease during pregnancy temporarily, so that may have something to do with how that happens,” says Christine Greves, MD, an ob-gyn at Orlando Health Women’s Institute Center of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Orlando, Florida.
Pregnancy can take a toll on our bodies. But the fact that we can house and grow a human being is nothing short of powerful. “I think women are often critical of their bodies, but pregnancy flipped a switch in me that left me in total awe and appreciation for my body and what it could do,” says Jasmine B, a mom of five in Los Angeles. “I have never felt stronger or more in love with my body than I did for the months I was pregnant with my daughters.”
Pregnancy has a way of motivating women to take a close look at their health and lifestyle choices. “You may develop healthier habits that you’ll continue after you’re done with pregnancy like exercising, avoiding substances that are not good for you and eating healthier,” says Greves. It’s a great opportunity for women who aren’t used to putting themselves first. “We treat ourselves more kindly than at any other point in time.” says Jodi K., mom of one in New York. With dedication, you can carry your newfound commitment to self-care into postpartum life.
There’s nothing quite like pregnancy to help you sweat the small things less—especially when it comes to your body. “Nothing really embarrasses me anymore. I think pregnancy does that… I became more open about my body, and modesty went out the window for me in more ways than one,” says Jasmine B. Pregnancy can also help you feel more comfortable asking for help when you need it—a skill that will come in handy after baby is born. She adds, “I also had to ask for help and admit when I needed to take a nap, slow down and take a break from being ‘supermom’ so that my body could have respite and do what it needed to do to grow a baby.”
Pregnancy plunges you into a whole new world—one full of facts and figures about baby gear, parenting methods and prenatal care. For many women, the opportunity to learn about so many new topics is exhilarating. Some moms even turn their newfound interests into career pursuits. For example, I channeled my passion for motherhood research and policy into becoming a parenting writer! Other women invent baby products, write books about gender equity in the home or develop parenting resources. Of course, you don’t have to make a career switch. But you may discover new interests and hobbies during pregnancy, like yoga or cooking (like me!).
Pregnancy is full of ups and downs, and the most obvious perk is that you have a baby at the end of the ride. You’ll have created and delivered a full human person that didn’t exist before. Enjoy the perks, and hunker down for the hard stuff. Soon, you’ll see why it was all worth it.
Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.
Plus, more from The Bump:
Christine Greves, MD, is an ob-gyn at Orlando Health Women’s Institute Center of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Orlando, Florida. She received her medical degree from the University of South Florida College of Medicine where she also completed her residency.
Rebecca Keith, MD, is an ob-gyn at Pediatrix Medical Group in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. She earned her medical degree from Indiana University School of Medicine.
Diane Ortega, CNM, MSN, is a certified nurse midwife at Willow Birth Center in Mesa, Arizona.
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