Pregnancy brings all sorts of new, exciting and unexpected changes to your body: breasts and belly swelling, glowing skin/ or not so-glowing skin, and a rollercoaster of emotions.

You might also notice that you have a heightened sense of smell, especially early in your pregnancy. If the odour of cooking or coffee brewing suddenly overwhelms your nose and turns your stomach, you're not alone!

Here are 5 interesting things that your body undergoes as you’re growing life.

# 1. Increased sense of smell

‘Hyperosmia’ is a medical term used to describe a heightened sense of smell. It means that your nose has become more sensitive at picking up scents.

When you’re pregnant smells may seem stronger, and also put you off certain foods that you used to love eating or drinking.

Experts say that being more sensitive to odours in pregnancy could serve as something, primitive and protective. Stronger smells can warn you of something potentially toxic to your baby before you eat it.

#2. Bra Size Change

An increase in breast size and breast tenderness is one of the first
signs of pregnancy. Breast growth in the first trimester is due to higher levels of the hormones of estrogen and progesterone.

That growth in the first trimester might not be the end, either — your breasts
can continue to grow throughout your pregnancy, and you may also experience fluctuations when your milk comes in a few days after giving birth.

Your bra size also can be affected by your ribcage. When you're pregnant,
your lung capacity increases so you can take in extra oxygen, which may lead to a bigger chest size.

A bra that is not restrictive, or is super stretchy that grows with your
fluctuating body is an essential.

You can see our leakproof nursing collection here. These have specifically been designed to take you from pregnancy, to postpartum and beyond featuring a soft, stretchy eco conscious modal fabrics.

#3. The need for frequent toilet visits

Waking up to go to the toilet many times during the night?
Pregnancy causes an increase in levels of body fluids and greater kidney efficiency.

The swelling uterus also presses against the bladder.
As a result, most women start experiencing more frequent urination within the
first few weeks of becoming pregnant.

#4. Fatigue and tiredness

You’re bruning energy because you are growing life!
Although your body may not change much on the outside during the first trimester, there's a lot of metabolic work going on inside to support the development and growth of your baby in the first weeks of your pregnancy.

I's completely normal to feel an overwhelming sense of tiredness.

It's important to listen to your body and rest up if you need to.

#5. The Nesting Instinct

Many pregnant women feel the nesting instinct, a powerful urge to prepare
their home for the baby by cleaning and decorating.

As your due date draws closer, you may find yourself cleaning cupboards or washing walls — things you never would have imagined doing in your ninth month of pregnancy! This desire to prepare your home can be useful — you'll have fewer to-do items after the birth. Be careful not to lift anything too heavy, and ask for help if you are shifting big items for your baby’s nursery.

It's also a nice idea to prep lots of healthy, home cooked-stews so you can freeze and have them for recovery post-birth. Stews and soups packed with lots of protein and fibres are gentle on the stomach and easily digestible.