From crying for no reason to making my brother eat outside because I couldn’t stand the smell of what he was enjoying, pregnancy led me to do many odd things. I’m reminded of my own pregnancy days because a family friend is pregnant now and she’s going through similar swings—one minute she insists she hates something, the next she declares she loves it. Pregnancy hormones are real and powerful. Here are 10 surprising things they made me do. Blame the hormones!
1. Carried someone’s toddler thinking it was my child.
This happened when my first daughter was just over a year old and I was pregnant again. We were at the market back home in Douala, Cameroon. After finishing at a shop, I instinctively picked up a toddler who was nearby and started walking away with them in my arms. The child’s mother had to shout, “Ekie! Are you taking my child???” My brother laughed about that for more than a week.
2. Left my key on the door and panicked when I thought it was missing.
My memory seemed to go on holiday during pregnancy. I once left my house key tucked in the door, then spent a frantic amount of time searching for it because I couldn’t remember where I’d put it. When I finally returned home, it was still right where I’d left it.
3. Cried while watching movies.
I became extremely emotional and sensitive to other people’s pain on screen. Movies that wouldn’t normally faze me made me sob uncontrollably. That heightened sensitivity persisted—these days I even tear up watching cooking shows.
4. Avoided lotion for weeks because of the scent.
In my first pregnancy I developed a strong aversion to smells. I skipped body lotion for weeks because I couldn’t stand the fragrance and even avoided using scented soap. I preferred anything unscented to keep from feeling queasy.
5. Vomited at the sight of certain foods.
Some smells and sights triggered nausea instantly. For example, seeing groundnuts (peanuts) in the kitchen made me feel so sick that I actually threw up. Just the thought of them was unbearable.
6. Got irrationally upset with my partner.
Small things felt huge. I remember sulking because he bought a burger and went shopping again instead of coming straight home with it. At the time it felt like a major betrayal; in hindsight it was one of those pregnancy-fueled reactions.
7. Cooked food only I could tolerate.
The meals I made for myself while pregnant were often extremely bland. I hid them from guests because serving those dishes to others would have been cruel—they were tailored to my particular cravings and aversions.
8. Made my brother eat outside to avoid the smell of his food.
My brother was craving canned sardines in oil, but I couldn’t stand the odor at all. He ended up eating outside so I wouldn’t have to inhale it.
9. Slept anywhere, anytime.
Fatigue hit me hard. I could fall asleep anywhere and at any time—naps happened during activities and on the move. Pregnancy made me sleep like it was a sport.
10. Danced with my pregnant belly.
I danced like a maniac in my last pregnancy—mostly in private so no one would think I’d lost my mind. It felt good to move and celebrate the life growing inside me.
Fellow moms, I know I’m not the only one who experienced strange moments during pregnancy. What were your pregnancy days like? What surprising or funny things did hormones make you do? And if you haven’t been pregnant, what odd behaviors have you noticed in pregnant people around you?