Tips to deal with pregnancy-related body changes
A woman’s body goes through many changes during and after pregnancy. It can be challenging to accept the constant changes in your body, including hair and skin, but it helps to know in advance and be emotionally prepared for these changes.
After conceiving, the body starts undergoing these changes so as to accommodate the growing foetus and to prepare for childbirth.
Some of the changes that occur in the body during pregnancy include:
Blood pressure changes and dizziness: Your body has an increased blood volume and heart rate during pregnancy. This is its way to supply enough oxygen and necessary nutrients to the fetus1.
TIP: Listen to your body, get enough rest and follow a healthy diet ideal for pregnancy.
Hormonal changes: Hormones are the reason behind most of the changes that you experience during pregnancy. They affect everything from the reproductive system and metabolism to the immune system. From the beginning of the pregnancy, the hormones cause changes in ligaments and joints to prepare your body for birth, thus causing body aches2.
TIP: Follow your healthcare provider’s suggestions for prenatal vitamins and supplements. Indulge in things that make you feel relaxed.
Weight gain: This is a rather obvious and major change in pregnancy as the body prepares for childbirth and the baby grows inside your body. Several factors contribute to the overall weight gain – growing foetus, increased blood volume and amniotic fluid and placenta, and maternal fat stores. The amount of weight a pregnant woman gains depends on her pre-pregnancy weight and other factors.
TIP: It is necessary to monitor weight gain to make certain that it is within a healthy range during each trimester. Your healthcare provider is the best person to let you know if your increase in weight is fine and to guide you.
Breast changes: This includes breast enlargement and tenderness as the milk glands start developing. Areolas (the area around the nipples) may darken during pregnancy. The veins may appear more prominent during the third semester. Some women may begin to produce and leak colostrum – the first milk the breasts make in preparation for breastfeeding. Tenderness and some leaking is normal and nothing to worry about.
TIPS: Use disposable or washable breast pads, gentle and unscented soaps and lotions, practise good hygiene and wear a supportive bra.
Appetite related changes: Some women experience changes in their appetite during pregnancy, with cravings for certain foods or aversions to some flavours. Nausea and vomiting are also experienced by few women and this affects the intake of food. All these symptoms also contribute towards weight gain as the pregnancy progresses.
TIP: Try to eat healthy and on time. If you are struggling with your food intake, talk to your healthcare provider.
Frequent urination: Increased urination is normal as the growing uterus puts pressure on the bladder.
TIPS: If you need to pee frequently, it is a good idea to ensure that if you travel, you visit places where clean washrooms are easily available.
Digestion: Pregnancy in some women can result in heartburn, slower digestion and constipation.
TIPS: Don’t eat quickly, avoid foods that produce gas like beans and cabbage. Do not delay your meals and do not lie down immediately after consuming food3.
Stretch marks: Stretch marks are very common in pregnancy and most women get them. These are like streaks or lines that gradually start appearing mostly on your tummy but sometimes also on thighs and breasts4. Stretch marks may fade with time.
TIPS: Try to embrace your stretch marks as a beautiful symbol of your pregnancy. There is little or limited evidence of oils and creams being effective in preventing or removing stretch marks.
Pregnancy-related body changes can cause irritability and discomfort, but remember that most of these are temporary. Some of these might require certain adjustments in your life, but they exist to support a healthy pregnancy and childbirth.
References & Resources
1 What bodily changes can you expect during pregnancy?
2 Common pregnancy aches and pains
3 Pregnancy-related heartburn — causes and tips for relief
4 Stretch marks in pregnancy
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