From food cravings to body odour; Mom-to-be Gauahar Khan on her second pregnancy, tips and more

Gauahar Khan, glowing and honest, shared her second pregnancy journey through her podcast, opening up like never before. Now in her eighth month, the mom-to-be discussed her challenges, skincare secrets, odd cravings, and relatable pregnancy problems—from constant fatigue to surprising body odour changes. Offering personal insights and tips, Gauahar’s candid conversation is a comforting listen for every expecting mother.

"I'm in my eighth month. Mashallah, my eighth month of my second pregnancy has started. And I can't wait. I'm going to be due soon. So just pray that everything goes well. And give this baby as many blessings as you gave Zehan for the first time. So very, very excited, nervous. All of that put together into two. You know, because it's the second time that I'm expecting." Gauahar openly shared the mixed emotions she’s been feeling as she prepares to welcome her second child. Though she’s walked this path before, she admits the feelings remain just as overwhelming and magical.

“I just had that metallic taste in my mouth. But this time around, till my fifth month, I wasn’t able to eat anything. I wasn’t able to digest. The nausea was pretty bad. In fact, we went on a staycation to Karjat in my third or fourth month, and in the fifth month, that was the first time I actually threw up.” Gauahar described how the constant nausea and inability to eat anything made her early pregnancy months extremely difficult. Unlike the typical morning sickness stereotype, her nausea lingered for months, leaving her feeling drained.

“In my first pregnancy also, I ate ice cream every day. Even this time, the only thing I actually think of ever having is ice cream. No cravings for tamarind, sour foods, chips, or even fast food. I feel like maybe something’s weird in me. I’ve never had cravings. Nothing excites me except maybe one ice cream.” While many pregnant women experience intense cravings for tangy or spicy food, Gauahar amusingly admitted her only consistent craving across both pregnancies is a simple scoop of ice cream daily.

“Hyaluronic acid really nourishes you and keeps your skin moist. Whatever cream you’re using, make sure there’s hyaluronic acid or just use a concentrate separately. It really helps, okay? Let me know if it helps. And please pray for me if that helps you in preventing stretch marks. My stomach is bigger this time. Just praying there are no more stretch marks.” Gauahar shared her skincare routine that includes hyaluronic acid to help retain skin moisture and avoid excessive stretch marks—a common worry during pregnancy, especially during the second time when changes are more evident.

“You really lose your memory and brain capacity to remember things. Trust me. I’ll remember all day to call someone, and then I forget. Zaid tells me I had promised something, and I’ll say, no, I didn’t. I genuinely forget. Even when I say I’ll call you back, that call-back never happens. I’m so embarrassed sometimes!” Gauahar light-heartedly acknowledged the notorious ‘pregnancy brain’, laughing at how she regularly forgets tasks and conversations—even promises she just made moments ago.

“I feel so sleepy that I feel like I shouldn’t do anything all day and just sleep. If I wake up at 8 AM, again by 10, I want to sleep. Literally, I feel like I can snore while sitting down. We don’t realize how much energy goes into creating a whole new being. It’s exhausting. I’ve been sleeping a lot, guys.” Gauahar’s confession about her non-stop sleep cravings highlights the physical toll pregnancy can take. The exhaustion is real and constant, something she wished more people spoke about openly.

“Body odour is a big problem during pregnancy, and many women don’t even know that. Your hormones make you smell completely different. It’s okay. Use natural deodorants if you can. But I declare here – it’s okay to smell bad in pregnancy. After one or two months post-delivery, you’ll smell like yourself again. Don’t stress.” Gauahar comforted fellow moms-to-be, normalizing an issue few discuss: pregnancy body odour caused by fluctuating hormones. Her advice? Embrace it, manage it, and know it’s temporary.

“The biggest one I say is zip your mouth. Eat right, not heavy fatty foods. Eat nutritious food for six months after delivery – grilled things if possible. Balanced diet of carbs, proteins, fibres. Later, if you want to diet, count your calories and reduce intake. If not breastfeeding, it’s easier. But nourish yourself first.” Gauahar strongly emphasized prioritizing nourishment over quick weight loss. She encouraged new moms to focus on balanced, protein-rich meals during the first six months before even thinking about dieting or cutting calories.