Pregnancy Wonders: Five Fascinating Facts About Your Body While You’re Expecting

There’s no doubt that pregnancy transforms your body in some pretty noticeable ways—but beyond the baby bump, stretch marks, and cravings, there are a few lesser-known changes that are just as amazing.

These fascinating facts highlight how your body supports your baby—and you—through nine months of incredible transformation.

1. Your sense of smell gets stronger
If you’ve ever found yourself suddenly overwhelmed by the smell of coffee, perfume, or even the fridge, you’re not imagining it. During pregnancy, your sense of smell often becomes heightened. Scientists believe this might be an ancient survival instinct—your body’s way of protecting you and your baby from potentially harmful substances like spoiled food or toxins. Handy, if not always pleasant!

2. Fetal cells can stay in your body for years
Your baby might be closer than you think—even years down the line. During pregnancy, fetal cells can pass into your bloodstream and settle in various parts of your body—including your heart, brain, and other organs. This phenomenon, known as microchimerism, is still being studied, but it’s a beautiful thought: your baby leaves a little bit of themselves behind with you forever.

3. Your heart actually grows
It’s not just love that grows during pregnancy—your heart does too. To support both you and your baby, your body has to pump 30–50% more blood than usual. That extra workload can cause your heart to grow slightly in size, and some changes in blood flow are completely normal. It’s just another way your body steps up to do something truly incredible.

4. The linea nigra might serve a purpose
That dark line that often appears running down your belly? It’s called the linea nigra. While it’s usually considered a cosmetic change, some researchers believe it may actually serve a practical purpose—helping newborns visually navigate toward the breast after birth. Nature is clever like that!

5. Your feet might grow (and stay that way!)
Thanks to the hormone relaxin, your ligaments loosen to prepare for labour. This helps your pelvis widen—but it can also affect the arches of your feet. Many women find that their feet flatten during pregnancy, which can permanently increase your shoe size by half a size or more. It’s one of those surprising changes that can stick around long after your little one arrives.