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Body Changes and PregnancyFrom the very beginning of your pregnancy your body, both externally and internally, goes through major changes. Below are explanations of many of the changes you may experience and some suggestions for how to deal with them. | ||
Trimester by Trimester Changes | ||
From conception to birth, your body is programmed to support the needs of your growing baby. Here's what to expect during each trimester. The following has been adapted from the 4woman website. Vaginal bleeding. Spotting or what appears to be a scanty period may be the first sign of pregnancy. A small amount of bleeding can occur when the fertilized egg, which has already undergone several cell divisions, implants into the lining of your uterus. Tender breasts. Your breasts may become unusually sensitive and feel fuller and heavier. It may help to wear a more supportive bra. Increased urination. You may need to urinate more often as your growing uterus presses on your bladder, which lies directly in front of and slightly under the uterus during the first few months of pregnancy. The same pressure may cause you to leak urine when sneezing, coughing or laughing. Constipation. An increase in the hormone progesterone, which slows the digestive process, may cause constipation — especially during the first 13 to 14 weeks of pregnancy. To prevent constipation, drink plenty of fluids and boost your fiber intake. Larger breasts. Stimulated by estrogen and progesterone, the milk-producing glands inside your breasts get larger. A small amount of fat may also accumulate in your breasts. The result may be as much as 1 pound of extra breast tissue. Glowing skin. Blood circulation increases during pregnancy, including the tiny vessels just beneath the surface of your skin. Enjoy the healthy glow. Nasal problems. As more blood flows to your body's mucous membranes, the lining of your nose and airway swells. This can restrict airflow and cause snoring, congestion and nosebleeds. Dizziness. Your blood vessels dilate in response to pregnancy hormones. Until your blood volume expands to fill them, you may experience occasional dizziness. Avoid prolonged standing, and rise slowly after lying or sitting down. Bleeding gums. Increased blood circulation can soften your gums. This may cause minor bleeding when you brush or floss your teeth. Leg cramps. Pressure from your uterus on the veins returning blood from your legs may cause leg cramps, especially at night. Stretch the affected muscle or walk your way through the cramps. Vaginal discharge. You may notice a thin, white vaginal discharge. This discharge consists mainly of cells from the vaginal lining and normal vaginal moisture. Shortness of breath. You may get winded easily as your uterus expands beneath your diaphragm, the muscle just below your lungs. Backaches. The increased weight you're carrying may be tough on your back. When you must stand, place one foot on a box or stool. Sit in chairs with good back support. Apply heat or cold to the painful area. Ask your partner for a massage. Heartburn. Your growing uterus may push your stomach out of its normal position, which can contribute to heartburn. To keep stomach acid where it belongs, eat small meals and drink plenty of fluids. Swollen ankles. Pressure from your growing uterus on the veins that return blood from your feet and legs may leave you with swollen feet and ankles. Thick hair. Many women enjoy more luxuriant hair later in pregnancy. This is often followed by excess hair shedding after delivery. Changes in skin color. Hormonal changes may make your cheeks, chin, nose and forehead darker than usual. Some women — particularly those with dark hair and fair skin — may notice a brownish darkening on the forehead, temples and central part of the face. Skin that's already pigmented — such as the area around your nipples — may get even darker. Spider veins. Increased blood circulation may cause small reddish spots on your face, neck, upper chest or arms, especially if you have fair skin. The spots may seem to sprout tiny blood vessels that resemble spider legs. Varicose veins and hemorrhoids. Veins throughout your body become larger during pregnancy to accommodate increased blood volume. This change is especially noticeable in veins near the skin surface, such as those in your legs. Elevating your legs and wearing support stockings can help ease any discomfort. Varicose veins in your rectum are known as hemorrhoids. To prevent hemorrhoids, include plenty of fiber in your diet and drink lots of fluids. Increased perspiration. Your baby generates heat by growing and exercising. In turn, you're likely to notice more sweating than usual. In hot weather, you may need to rest, drink cold liquids and take cool showers to keep from overheating. Stretch marks. You may notice pink, red or purple streaks along your abdomen, breasts, upper arms, buttocks or thighs. Your stretching skin may also be itchy. Moisturizers can help. Although stretch marks can't be prevented, eventually the marks fade in intensity. | ||
Body Changes and Pregnancy | ||
Breast Changes A woman's breasts increase in size and fullness during pregnancy. As the due date approaches, hormone changes will cause your breasts to get even bigger in preparation for breastfeeding. Your breasts may feel full and heavy, and they might be tender or uncomfortable. In the third trimester, some pregnant women begin to leak colostrum from their breasts. Colostrum is the first milk that your breasts produce for the baby. It is a thick, yellowish fluid containing antibodies that protect newborns from infection. If leaking becomes embarrassing, put nursing pads inside your bra.
Dizziness Many pregnant women complain of dizziness and lightheadedness throughout their pregnancies. Fainting is rare but does happen even in some healthy pregnant women. There are many reasons for these symptoms. The growth of more blood vessels in early pregnancy, the pressure of the expanding uterus on blood vessels and the body's increased need for food all can make a pregnant woman feel lightheaded and dizzy. To feel better follow these tips:
Call your doctor as soon as possible if you faint. Dizziness or lightheadedness can be discussed at regular prenatal visits. Hemorrhoids Up to 50% of pregnant women get hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids are swollen and bulging veins in the rectum. They can cause itching, pain and bleeding. Hemorrhoids are more common during pregnancy for many reasons. During pregnancy there is a huge increase in the amount of blood in the body. This can cause veins to enlarge. The expanding uterus also puts pressure on the veins in the rectum. Plus, constipation can make hemorrhoids worse. Hemorrhoids usually improve after delivery. Follow these tips to help prevent and relieve hemorrhoids:
Leg Cramps At different times during your pregnancy, you might have cramps in your legs or feet. They usually happen at night. This is due to a change in the way your body processes, or metabolizes, calcium. Try these tips to prevent and ease leg cramps:
Nasal Problems Nosebleeds and nasal stuffiness are common during pregnancy. They are caused by the increased amount of blood in your body and hormones acting on the tissues of your nose. To ease nosebleeds blow gently when you blow your nose. Stop nosebleeds by squeezing your nose between your thumb and finger for a few minutes. If you have nosebleeds that do not stop in a few minutes or happen often, see your doctor. Drinking extra water and using a cool mist humidifier in your bedroom may help relieve nasal stuffiness. Talk with your doctor before taking any over-the-counter or prescription medicines for colds or nasal stuffiness. Shortness of Breath As the baby grows, your expanding uterus will put pressure on all of your organs, including your lungs. You may notice that you are short of breath or might not be able to catch your breath. Tips to ease breathing include:
Swelling Most women develop mild swelling in the face, hands, or ankles at some point in their pregnancies. As the due date approaches, swelling often becomes more noticeable. If you have rapid, significant weight gain or your hands or feet suddenly get very puffy, call your doctor as soon as possible. It could be a sign of high blood pressure called preeclampsia or toxemia. To keep swelling to a minimum:
Teeth and Gums Problems A pregnant woman's teeth and gums need special care. Pregnant women with gum disease are much more likely to have premature babies with low-birth weight. This may result from the transfer of bacteria in the mother's mouth to the baby during pregnancy. The microbes can reach the baby through the placenta (a temporary organ joining the mother and fetus which supplies the fetus with blood and nutrients), through the amniotic fluid (fluid around the fetus), and through the layer of tissues in the mother's stomach. Every expectant mother should have a complete oral exam prior to or very early in pregnancy. All needed dental work should be managed early, because having urgent treatment during pregnancy can present risks. Interventions can be started to control risks for gum inflammation and disease. This also is the best time to change habits that may affect the health of teeth and gums, and the health of the baby. Remember to tell your dentist that you are pregnant! You can ease bleeding gums by brushing with a soft-bristled toothbrush and flossing at least twice a day. Varicose Veins During pregnancy there is a huge increase in the amount of blood in the body. This can cause veins to enlarge. Plus, pressure on the large veins behind the uterus causes the blood to slow in its return to the heart. For these reasons, varicose veins in the legs and anus (hemorrhoids) are more common in pregnancy. Varicose veins look like swollen veins raised above the surface of the skin. They can be twisted or bulging, and are dark purple or blue in color. They are found most often on the backs of the calves or on the inside of the leg. Try these tips to reduce the chances of varicose veins:
Constipation Many pregnant women complain of constipation. High levels of hormones in your pregnant body slow down digestion and relax muscles in the bowels leaving many women constipated. Plus, the pressure of the expanding uterus on the bowels boosts the chances for constipation. Try these tips to stay more regular:
Heartburn and Indigestion Almost every pregnant woman experiences indigestion and heartburn. Hormones and the pressure of the growing uterus cause this discomfort. Pregnancy hormones slow down the muscles of the digestive tract. So food tends to move more slowly and digestion is sluggish. This causes many pregnant women to feel bloated. Hormones also relax the valve that separates the esophagus from the stomach. This allows food and acids to come back up from the stomach to the esophagus. The food and acid causes the burning feeling of heartburn. As your baby gets bigger, the uterus pushes on the stomach making heartburn more common in later pregnancy. Try these tips to prevent and ease indigestion and heartburn:
Stretch Marks Worried about the dreaded stretch marks of pregnancy? Just about all pregnant women are. The good news is that only about half of pregnant women get stretch marks. Stretch marks are red, pink, or purple streaks in the skin. Most often they appear on the thighs, buttocks, abdomen, and breasts. These scars are caused by the stretching of the skin, and usually appear in the second half of pregnancy. The color of stretch marks depends on a woman's skin color. They can be pink, reddish brown, or dark brown streaks. While creams and lotions can keep your skin well moisturized, they do not prevent stretch marks from forming. Most stretch marks fade after delivery to very light lines. Other Skin Changes Some women notice other skin changes during pregnancy. For many women, the nipples become darker and browner during pregnancy. Many pregnant women also develop a dark line (called the linea nigra) on the skin that runs from the belly button down to the pubic hairline. Blotchy brown pigmentations on the forehead, nose and cheeks are also common. These spots are called melasma or chloasma and are more common in darker-skinned women. Most of these skin changes are caused by pregnancy hormones and will fade or disappear after delivery. Tingling and Itching Tingling and numbness of the fingers and a feeling of swelling in the hands are common during pregnancy. These symptoms are due to swelling of tissues in the narrow passages in your wrists, and they should disappear after delivery. About 20% of pregnant women feel itchy during pregnancy. Usually women feel itchy in the abdomen. But red, itchy palms and soles of the feet are also common complaints. Pregnancy hormones and stretching skin are probably to blame for most of your discomfort. Usually the itchy feeling goes away after delivery. In the meantime, try these tips to feel better:
Rarely, itchiness can be a sign of a serious condition called cholestasis of pregnancy. If you have nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, jaundice or fatigue with itchiness, call your doctor. Cholestasis of pregnancy is a serious liver problem. Sleeping Troubles Sleep difficulties are common during your pregnancy, You might feel tired even after you've had a lot of sleep. Many women find they're particularly exhausted in the first trimester. Don't worry, this is normal! This is your body's way of telling you that you need more rest. In the second trimester, tiredness is usually replaced with a feeling of well being and energy. But in the third trimester, exhaustion often sets in again. As you get larger, sleeping may become more difficult. The baby's movements, bathroom runs, and an increase in the body's metabolism might interrupt or disturb your sleep. Leg cramping can also interfere with a good night's sleep. Try these tips to feel and sleep better:
Weight gain Weight gain is a common concern of pregnancy. The amount of weight you need to gain during pregnancy depends upon how much you weighed before you became pregnant. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) women who have a normal weight before getting pregnant should gain 25 to 35 pounds. Women who are underweight before pregnancy should gain 28 to 40 pounds. And women who are overweight should gain 15 to 25 pounds. Research shows that women who gain more than the recommended amount during pregnancy have a higher chance of being obese 10 years later. Ask your doctor how much weight gain during pregnancy is healthy for you. Is it Safe to have Sex? Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, sexual intercourse is safe throughout your pregnancy. For many women, pregnancy increases their sex drive. For others, it has the opposite effect. And almost all women need to try different positions when they start to get large bellies. If you have problems during your pregnancy or have had miscarriages in the past your doctor may suggest you avoid sexual intercourse. Call your doctor if you have any of the following problems during or after sexual intercourse:
Aches, pains, and backaches As your uterus expands pains in the back, abdomen, groin area, and thighs often appear. Many women also have backaches and aching near the pelvic bone due the pressure of the baby's head,
increased weight, and loosening joints.
When to Call the Doctor When you are pregnant you should not hesitate to call your doctor or midwife is something is bothering or worrying you. Sometimes physical changes can be signs of a problem or a pregnancy complication. Call your doctor or midwife immediately if you:
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