How Pregnancy Changes Your Body

For most women, the hardest thing about being pregnant is watching your body turn into a form that seems completely different and alien to you. However, this change is unavoidable, and the best way to make this a little easier on yourself is by knowing what’s there in store for you. This article will help you understand the different changes that your body will undergo during pregnancy. Let’s dive right in.

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Hormonal Changes

One of the first changes you’ll notice externally is the change in your skin due to hormonal and blood flow changes. The most common symptom of this change is pigmentation in different parts of your body, which may also lead to dull and dry skin. Though there isn’t a way to stop this from happening, there are some products that are pregnancy safe that can help reduce the effects of pigmentation and dullness on the skin. Here’s a link with a list of safe skin care products that can be used during pregnancy (including ingredients to avoid.)

Shortness of Breath

This may come as a surprise to most, but the first few weeks of pregnancy causes an increase in the hormone called progesterone, which causes you to feel like you need more breath. This may seem like shortness of breath in most people, but it’s completely natural and will pass with time. However, do visit your doctor if you find it difficult to breathe as that may indicate a more serious problem.

Constant Fatigue and Headaches

Fatigue and exhaustion are most commonly seen during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. This can also be an effect of morning sickness and loss of sleep, so the only way to combat it is by letting yourself relax and indulge in self-care. Headaches are a part of the morning sickness and nausea, and the best way to avoid making it worse is by not straining your eyes and getting as much sleep as you can.

Increase in Body Temperature 

If you feel your body temperature constantly leaning towards the higher side, don’t fret cause it isn’t a fever. Your body tends to be warmer than usual due to the increased metabolic rate, which will also cause you to sweat more than usual. The only way to fix this is by keeping yourself in a cool area and drinking as much water as you can.

Swelling and Bloating

Almost all women complain of feeling bloated and swollen during the course of their pregnancy. This may not occur for everyone and is not something you need to worry much about even if it does. The swelling typically occurs in the hands, ankles, or face. Drinking a lot of water and avoiding certain foods may help reduce this swelling, so it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor or dietician to know what foods might contribute to this swelling and then avoid that.

Conclusion

Due to the hormonal changes in the body, it’s natural for physical and emotional changes to occur during the course of your pregnancy. However, none of these are permanent and can be fixed once you’ve delivered your baby, so don’t be too hard on yourself! We hope you found this article informative.