This Is How Your Body Changes During Pregnancy

You likely know that pregnancy is a time of great emotional and physical change. You are going to house a tiny life inside of you for the next 9 months. And so, your body changes to accommodate your growing baby. Some changes are more pronounced and uncomfortable than others. Others are even welcome like the “pregnancy glow” or beautiful, long nails. Here are several ways in which your body changes to support your pregnancy.

Hormonal changes

There’s a reason for all these sudden changes and symptoms you experience during your first trimester. It has to do with your endocrine system, a series of glands in charge of producing and secreting hormones that the body uses for a wide range of functions. During pregnancy, there are four predominant hormones: human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), human placental lactogen (hPL), estrogen, and progesterone. Here’s the role they play in pregnancy:

• HCG: Produced by the placenta, this hormone is released into your bloodstream to support you and your baby. It’s also the one responsible for indicating whether you are pregnant or not in over-the-counter tests.
• hPL: Also produced by the placenta, hPL helps your baby get the necessary nutrients while you’re pregnant. What’s more, it prepares you for breastfeeding by stimulating the growth of milk glands in your breasts.
• Estrogen or estrogen: It’s produced in early pregnancy to support your baby until the placenta takes over. Estrogen facilitates the development of your baby’s organs and also prepares your body for breastfeeding.
• Progesterone: Like estrogen, progesterone supports your baby until the placenta is ready to take over. It increases the blood flow to the womb and it prevents you from producing milk until your baby is born. In addition, progesterone strengthens your pelvic muscles to get you ready for labor.

These powerful hormones cause many popular pregnancy symptoms, from drastic changes in mood to exhaustion. They also lead to more visible body changes like the “pregnancy glow”, lustrous hair, and long nails that we will be discussing below.

Weight

The most visible change. Expect to gain between 10 and 12.5 kilograms. You will notice a much rounder belly around the second and third trimester, where the majority of weight gain happens. It’s not only due to your growing baby but also because of extra water retention. This is essential for the baby’s circulation, placenta, and amniotic fluid. As a result, you may notice swelling in your hands, feet, and ankles.

The weight gain plus the swelling might feel uncomfortable but is not permanent. You can find release by avoiding standing up for long periods of time, resting and avoiding caffeine and sodium. Bear in mind that every person is different. So, ask your doctor how much weight you should gain during pregnancy and what sort of foods are good for you and your baby.

Breasts

Your breasts may feel more full and tender when you’re pregnant. It’s all in preparation for breastfeeding as milk glands and ducts begin forming and growing. But these are not the only changes you will notice. Besides, pregnancy hormones that affect skin pigmentation tend to darken the areola. And, you might notice prominent veins and stretch marks as well.

In many cases, breasts leak small bits of a thick and yellowish substance called colostrum. Typically, you can expect this in the second trimester and will be your baby’s first milk. If you are struggling with breast pain and soreness, try wearing supportive bras, loose-fitting clothes, and taking warm showers. Or, ask your doctor for approved pain relievers.

Uterus and cervix

During pregnancy, your uterus thickens and its blood vessels enlarge, all in the name of providing nourishment to your baby. As pregnancy progresses, your uterus keeps on expanding to make room for your little one. By the time your baby is born, your uterus will be the size of a watermelon. But don’t worry! It will shrink back to its normal size in a few weeks.

The cervix (the entry to the uterus) undergoes physical changes as well. In the early stages of pregnancy, the cervix produces a thick discharge, often with blood. The plug is expelled in late pregnancy or during delivery, and it’s called “bloody show”. Before the delivery date, your cervix dilates considerably, softens, and thins to allow the baby to pass through the birth canal.

Skin

When it comes to skin, there are lots of changes going on. Some of them are major, and some of them not so much. Let’s start with the famous pregnancy glow. Many women get a rosy complexion due to increased blood circulation to the skin.

Not everything is rosy, though! Your skin, particularly the nipples, may become darker. You may also develop a vertical line going from your belly button to your pubic hairline. This is called the linea nigra and it usually fades after delivery. Watch out for the mask of pregnancy or melasma, which are darker patches of skin on your face. The hyperpigmentation of the skin caused by hormonal changes can also darken moles, freckles, and birthmarks. None of these changes are dangerous, they’re simply side effects of pregnancy.

You may also spot stretch marks on your belly, breasts, thighs, and bottom. They start pink, red, or brown and fade into light pink or silver in a few months. They can be quite itchy! Prepare to feel itchiness and dryness in general. But if the itchiness becomes unbearable, get in touch with your doctor as soon as possible.

It can be that acne will worsen even if you had a clear complexion before pregnancy. You have your shifting hormones to blame as they cause the skin to secrete more oil.

Hair and nails

Estrogen levels increase in your favor, resulting in thicker and healthier-looking hair. Get ready for more hair growth not just in your head, but in your upper lip, nipples, stomach, arms, legs, and back. All these changes will disappear after your baby is born. So, it’s common to experience hair loss or shedding up to a year postpartum.

You may notice that your nails are growing faster too. Yet, your nails may also weaken and break easily. This is particularly true a few weeks into your postpartum period, just like your hair.

Other changes

• The belly button pops out late in the second trimester or early in the third trimester.
• Changes in blood pressure.
• Huffing and puffing while climbing stairs.
• A slightly higher body temperature.
• Dysgeusia, a decrease in the ability to taste (common in the first trimester).
• A higher threshold of salty, sweet, and sour tastes.
• Blurred or poor vision.
• Stuffy nose and increase in nasal secretions.
• Nosebleeds
• Sensitive teeth and bleeding gums

Build the inner strength to deal with all of the pregnancy’s changes and challenges! Simply listen to Beginning.com’s 9 months audio sessions. And make sure to watch our Overcoming the Fear masterclass to learn everything you need about childbirth.