15 Surprising Ways Pregnancy Transforms Your Body --- and Your Mind

5. Short of Breath? Blame the Baby!

Ever feel like you just can't catch your breath? That's because as your baby grows, your uterus pushes up against your diaphragm --- the muscle that helps you breathe. To compensate, your body produces more progesterone, a hormone that subtly makes you breathe faster, ensuring both you and the baby get enough oxygen. It's your body's way of saying, "Don't worry, I've got this."