Common changes Women see During Pregnancy

A woman’s body experiences many changes during the nine months of pregnancy. Some of these physical changes are visible, such as an expanding belly and weight gain, while others are well known, such as an enlarged uterus, morning illness, and backaches.

However, a few bodily changes are unexpected and see some women by surprise.

“It’s amazing how a woman’s body adjusts to accommodate pregnancy”.

The first trimester of pregnancy can be thrilling and difficult. A person’s body goes through a lot of changes.

Some of these changes may begin before you even know or confirm you are pregnant. It can help to know what to look for and hope so you can prepare.

A woman may have much hair during pregnancy as estrogen improves the length of the growing phase of hair often resulting in a thicker and healthier-looking head of hair.

Anxiety during pregnancy

You may feel quite nervous about your pregnancy and about being a parent. Many pregnant women feel some anxiety, but a few produce an anxiety disorder that requires medicine.

Symptoms of an anxiety disorder include:

• Constant worry, stress, or nervousness
• Muscle tension and teeth clenching
• Not ever feeling calm
• Not being able to sleep well or for long
• Panic attacks.

Skin texture change during pregnancy

 

Skin changes are very common during pregnancy, but the ones that tend to be the most annoying to women are stretch marks.

Stretch marks are more likely to happen in women who are obese, have rapid weight gain during pregnancy, or have large fetuses.

They may be caused by a breakdown of collagen or connective tissue that supports the skin, in areas where the skin has had fast growth and extended.

Pregnant women have advanced blood volume to provide extra blood flow to the uterus and other organs, especially the kidneys. The greater volume brings more blood to the vessels and increases fat gland secretion.

Morning sickness

The first thing to know about morning sickness is that it can strike you at any time of the day.

Likely a result of your changing hormones, it usually starts about week six and settles by the 14th week.

You may feel better if you can follow the below

• Eat a dry biscuit when you wake up in the morning, to avoid feeling sick when you get out of bed,
• Drink small amounts of fluids, frequently. Try lemon drinks, diluted fruit juice, transparent soup, or a hot drink made of stock,
• Try ginger tablets, ginger tea,
• Eat small amounts of food more times, so you don’t have an empty stomach,
• Avoid fatty, rich, or spicy food with strong smells,
• Sleep as much as you can.

Mood swings during pregnancy

The hormones changing in your body mean you will probably have upgraded emotions, both positive and negative. And you will probably swing between these emotions.

You may be overjoyed about having a baby, but you may also be stressed and overwhelmed.

• You may also feel unimpressed with your changing body.
• You may be worried about putting on too much weight,
• Not being able to do the physical activity that you usually do.
• Not looking attractive to your partner.
• Add the hormone-induced tiredness, forgetfulness, and moodiness, and you may feel completely out of control.

And these all are very common.

Depression during pregnancy

About 20 percent of women will have depression during pregnancy. And even more, will suffer from these conditions after giving birth.

Many women don’t seek help because they feel ashamed or guilty about feeling so terrible when they are supposed to be happy.

But depression is not something that you can control in this way.

Because an untreated mental condition can have long-term effects on your health and wellbeing, and on your baby too, getting the right treatment is essential.

Symptoms to check your mood during your pregnancy

• sad for most of the day,
• annoyed, angry, or anxious a lot of the time
• crying a lot for any reason
• losing interest in activities that you usually do
• struggling to sleep, or sleeping more than usual
• feeling tired most of the time
• not able to concentrate
• Thinking about harming yourself
• Thinking about suicide.

Remember, tell someone if you feel depressed because earlier treatment is the best treatment.

What is a hormonal imbalance during pregnancy?

Hormones are an important part of handling many of your body’s essential processes. They are produced by your endocrine glands and act as chemical messengers that travel through the body via your bloodstream. Hormones are responsible for regulating processes such as reproduction, metabolism, and more.

Pregnancy hormones maintain the fitness of your baby, control its rate of growth, and even trigger the labor process. As a result, hormonal imbalance during pregnancy can cause problems including gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, high or low birth weight, or even miscarriage in some situations.

Signs and symptoms of hormonal imbalance

Your hormones fluctuate naturally during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and other periods of life. However, if you are noticing unusual symptoms, you may be undergoing a hormonal imbalance. One of the most common hormonal imbalances in females is a condition known as polycystic ovary syndrome.

Symptoms associated with hormonal imbalances include:

Excessive hair growth: Some women experience excessive growth of hair.

Acne: Another common sign of hormonal imbalance is acne. Acne typically develops on your face, neck, upper back, or a darkening of the skin.

Extreme sweating: If you are experiencing an unusual excess of sweating or night sweats, you may have developed an imbalance of hormones.

Changes in cervical mucus: Dramatic or unusual changes in your cervical mucus can be a sign that something is wrong.

Hair loss: Some women experience hair loss, which is a common indicator of hormonal imbalance.

Some Natural Ways to Balance Your Hormones

• Eat sufficient protein at every meal.
• Engage in regular exercise.
• Maintain an average weight.
• Take care of your tummy health.
• Lower your sugar input.
• Try stress reduction techniques.
• Consume healthy fats.
• Get consistent, high-quality sleep.

Why do I feel so tired?

Feeling very tired is another common symptom of early pregnancy. Your body is working hard to adjust to all the new physical changes. This can cause extreme fatigue. You may need to sleep longer than usual at night. If possible, you can take short naps during the day. Your energy will most likely return in the second trimester of pregnancy.

Conclusion

Keep in mind that each pregnancy experience is impressive. Even the same person may have different changes in their multiple pregnancies. For each change, your symptoms may be mild or severe.

Do not worry if the changes do not happen at a certain time. Talk to your doctor if you have any other concerns.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the changes that occur during pregnancy?
Your heartbeat and breathing rate are faster. Your breasts become tender and heavier. You may feel swinging moods.

What are the 5 signs of pregnancy?
Things like missing your period, feeling more tired, and morning sickness are common symptoms of pregnancy.

How do I know I’m pregnant without a test?
Missed period.
Tender, swollen breasts.
Nausea with or without vomiting.
Increased urination.
Fatigue.

What do you feel in your stomach when pregnant?
The pregnancy hormone progesterone can cause your tummy to feel full, rounded, and bloated

What symptoms do you have at 1 week pregnant?
Nausea with or without vomiting.
Breast changes include tenderness and swelling.
Frequent urination.
Headache.

How do nipples look in early pregnancy?
The nipples and the area around the nipples (areola) become darker and larger.