While women experience all kinds of bodily changes while pregnant, Australian Olympic gold medallist Libby Trickett has experienced one of the strangest side effects yet.
The 32-year-old, who is currently 27 weeks pregnant, took to Instagram to report the unsettling side effect of her pregnancy – crumbling toe nails.
‘Well that’s officially something I didn’t know could happen during pregnancy,’ she wrote.
While women experience all kinds of bodily changes while pregnant, Australian Olympic gold medallist Libby Trickett has experienced one of the strangest side effects yet
The 32-year-old, who is currently 27 weeks pregnant, took to Instagram to report the unsettling side effect of her pregnancy – crumbling toe nails (pictured)
Alongside the shocking snap she wrote the hashtags ‘bye bye big toe nails’, ‘random pregnancy weirdness’, ‘why do nails just fall off though’ and ‘not fungus I swear’.
Brisbane-based obstetrician and gynaecologist, Gino Pecoraro, told Daily Mail Australia that problems with toenails aren’t unusual in pregnant women.
‘There are different conditions within pregnancy that sensitive or broken toenails can be a sign of – namely iron deficiency which is super common due to the demands on the iron reserves to make the baby and the placenta,’ Dr Pecoraro, the AMA Queensland President, said.
Brisbane-based obstetrician and gynaecologist, Gino Pecoraro, told Daily Mail Australia that problems with toenails aren’t unusual in pregnant women
‘Every time I get to the gym I bloody love it and it’s always, always worth it,’ Libby said of exercising while pregnant
‘During the pregnancy women need more iron and if you are iron deficient before you even start this can leads to all kinds of issues including brittle nails and Koilonychia, a sign of iron-deficiency anemia, which leads to thin nails.
Dr Pecoraro added that hypothyroidism and fungal infections can also cause problems with the nails while pregnant, along with general swelling of the feet.
‘Pregnant women often go up a shoe size when pregnant due to the swelling so if you walk a long way in shoes that are too small the nail can become detached as well.’
‘There are different conditions within pregnancy that sensitive or broken toenails can be a sign of – namely iron deficiency which is super common due to the demands on the iron reserves,’ he said
New baby on the way! On Friday, Libby Trickett announced she was expecting her second child early next year
At the end of the day, Dr Pecoraro says anyone with issues with their toenails should see a doctor as it could be a sign of any number of the above conditions.
This isn’t the only unusual symptom of pregnancy, with Dr Pecoraro saying one of the strangest is Pica – an appetite for unusual or non-nutritive substances.
‘I’ve come across six or seven women in my time who have craved dirt – they go out and start eating it and realise there’s something wrong. This is due to iron deficiency,’ Dr Pecoraro said.
‘At the start of the pregnancy some women also have really erotic dreams due to increased blood flow to the genitals while others find their glasses prescription changes due to fluid retention in the cornea.’
Libby is also mother to little Poppy, who turned two years old in September
Libby Trickett announced her and husband Luke’s pregnancy in September and said they were thrilled for the new addition to arrive.
‘Luke and I are super excited to announce that we will be welcoming baby Trickett #2 into the world in early March!’ she wrote.
Using the hashtags ‘can’t wait’ and ‘preparing for the sleep deprivation’, the athlete revealed she wasn’t yet sure of the bub’s gender.
Libby is also mother to little Poppy, who turned two years old in September.
Libby and her Australian swimmer husband Luke wed in 2007 at Sydney’s Taronga Zoo
‘Happy 2nd birthday P. Fran!’ she captioned a sweet photo of them together.
‘What a gorgeous little shining light you are in our lives. My little book loving, elbow obsessed, Moana infatuated, kind, affectionate and stubborn daughter.’
‘I get more excited every single day about the little girl I am getting know. Thanks for making me grow and teaching me patience!
‘I feel incredibly blessed to be your mum and if you could just stop having blow ups about almost anything – well that’d just be swell!.
A memorable wedding, Libby famously walked into her lavish reception with a tent over her to protect the rumoured $100,000 magazine deal the couple had made with New Idea
Libby and her Australian swimmer husband Luke wed in 2007 at Sydney’s Taronga Zoo.
A memorable wedding, Libby famously walked into her lavish reception with a tent over her to protect the rumoured $100,000 magazine deal the couple had made with New Idea.
In 2013, Libby retired from swimming due to a wrist injury.