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7 body changes during pregnancy that people don’t talk about
As a woman’s body gets ready to take on the responsibility of growing a whole new life inside it, Mother Nature provides it with many ways to take better care of the needs of both the mother and child. This results in the body adapting itself to protect and provide nourishment for the baby.
While many of these changes are not only visible but rather well known too, there are several bodily changes during pregnancy that are not spoken about much. The visible changes include the pregnancy “glow”, the baby bump, increased breast size and swelling in hands and feet. The overload of hormones also leads to a lot of mood swings and morning sickness among other things. Now let’s look at some of the not-so-well-known changes.
Digestive problems
Those hormones affect your digestive system in many more ways than nausea. There’s a possibility of having constipation, indigestion, hemorrhoids, heartburn, acid reflux, gas and bloating. The process of digestion slows down during pregnancy causing all of these and other problems. These conditions become more common and pronounced around the third trimester. It is advisable not to take any over-the-counter medicine for them without consulting your doctor.
Sense of taste and smell
The much talked about pregnancy cravings and aversions are also the direct result of hormonal changes in the body. While some women develop taste for foods they didn’t particularly like before becoming pregnant, others find themselves being repelled by their favourite foods. The sense of smell becomes much sharper with an increased sensitivity that can result in reactions like vomiting from some of them. One theory is that this is a part of some kind of protectivemechanism in which the body creates aversion to things it perceives as being harmful to the mother or child.
Volume of blood
Due to the need to support the oxygen and nutrient requirements of the baby, the volume of blood in a pregnant woman’s body increases by as much as 50%. This means that the organs in your circulatory system including heart and kidneys are putting in a lot of extra work. In order to support them, an iron-rich diet is recommended to eliminate the chances of developing gestational anemia. The increased blood volume can also lead to a rise in pulse rate and a gradual decrease in blood pressure. Another uncomfortable outcome of a high blood volume is congested or runny nose.
Aches and pains
In order to make the birthing process easier, the joints loosen and ligaments soften during pregnancy. This causes frequent aches and pains in various body parts including the back, hip and legs. Doctors usually prescribe the use of a maternity support belt, massaging the affected area and heat treatments over medication. Increasing the consumption of calcium and regular light exercises can also help ease some of the pain.
Oral health
It may seem a very random and disconnected topic. However, pregnancy can often lead to bleeding gums, increased sensitivity in the teeth and bad breath. Some women even complain about a metallic taste in their mouths. All this happens when the body tries to fulfill the increased calcium requirements by redirecting that which would otherwise be directed towards the teeth. It is often advised to undergo a thorough dental check-up in early stage of pregnancy, generally follow good oral health practices and ensure sufficient intake of calcium through diet or supplements.
Skin
Let’s revisit the pregnancy glow; it is caused by the cocktail of hormones and increased blood flow in the body. The same things also lead to a lot of other changes in your skin that may not be as flattering. As your breasts expand, there would be changes in their appearance, with the possibility of the veins “popping”. In some cases, a dark line appears that runs from the bellybutton to the pubic area. There is also the possibility of dark patches and stretchmarks anywhere on the body.
Hair and nails
The excessive presence of hormones and all the additional vitamins being consumed during pregnancy leads to the growth of much thicker and shinier hair, sometimes even in unwanted places. Nails also tend to grow faster due to these very reasons. However, this also means excessive hair loss soon after the delivery as the hair goes back to its usual volume.
All these bodily changes are directly tied to the chemical and hormonal changes going on inside the body of a pregnant woman’s body. While many of them might be uncomfortable to go through, it is generally a good idea to avoid medicines to relieve them, especially without discussing them with a doctor first.
Some of the issues one faces during pregnancy are more difficult to go through than others. They are necessary for the healthy growth of your baby. The good thing is that they are all temporary changes, and they would all feel worthwhile when you hold your baby.
