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A woman goes through a number of body changes during the nine months pregnancy period. The body undergoes a variety of transformations. Some of the physical changes are visible but some are just likely to be felt . However, a few body changes may come unexpectedly and by surprise.
Pregnancy is a wonderful phase a woman experiences yet filled with challenges. They can range from common and expected changes such as swelling and fluid retention to some less familiar changes.
So let’s discuss some of the common body changes a woman faces during her pregnancy;
Face and Skin changes
Face and skin changes are common during pregnancy. Some women can develop dark patches on their face and hormonal changes can make your skin darker. During pregnancy, there is also a 50% chance of increase in the amount of blood in our body which makes the skin shinier and brighter.
A woman may develop stretch marks on the body, particularly around the stomach where our skin is stretching to accommodate your growing baby. They can be red, purple or brown depending on the skin color. Also some pregnant women develop dark patches on their face, most commonly on the upper cheek, nose and forehead.
Weight Gain
Weight gain is also a common change a woman encounters during pregnancy. Some women may gain more weight and some may gain less. It purely depends on lifestyle, diet and body type. The amount of weight you gain during pregnancy is important for your health and for the long-term health of your baby.
Taste and Smell
Dysgeusia is most common during the first trimester. A change in the sense of taste during pregnancy is caused by pregnancy hormones. People who get this condition will describe all foods as tasting sweet, sour, bitter or metallic. There are certain taste preferences that may vary by trimester. At times, pregnant women also encounter changes in their sense of smell. Many describe a heightened awareness and sensitivity to a variety of odors. Nevertheless, the vast majority of pregnant women report an increase in their own sensitivity to odors.
Hair and Nails
A woman may notice changes in the texture and growth of her hairs and nails during pregnancy. For some women, their hairs and nails grow faster and stronger. While for others, their hairs fall out and their nails split after delivery.
Most hair growth returns to normal after the baby is born. Many women experience faster nail growth during pregnancy. Eating good food and taking prenatal vitamins adds to the growth hormones of pregnancy.
Morning Sickness
The common signs and symptoms of morning sickness include nausea and vomiting often triggered by certain odors, spicy foods and excess salivation. Morning sickness is most common during the first trimester. Around half or two thirds of pregnant women experience morning sickness.
Morning sickness starts around week 6 of pregnancy towards the middle of month 2 and lasts between week 12 and 16 of pregnancy. In most cases, morning sickness doesn’t harm the woman or the child. However, severe morning sickness that includes weight loss and dehydration needs better medical attention.
Leg Cramps
Painful leg cramps during pregnancy are common too. Many pregnant women suffer it during the second and third trimester. It may be due to changes in blood circulation and stress on your leg muscles from carrying extra weight.
Along with swelling and varicose veins, leg cramps are a normal thing but sometimes uncomfortable during pregnancy. Knowing what to do when you get a cramp and how to prevent cramps from happening can make your pregnancy a bit comfortable.
Body Changes are common during pregnancy and can be experienced by most women but every pregnancy is different. Some may experience a lot of changes in their body while some may experience less amount of changes.
