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 PregnancyBody Changes During PregnancyQ. What other physical changes can I expect to experience during pregnancy?
A. Your body is going through amazing changes. Unfortunately this may mean that you will feel under the weather at times. Here are some of the discomforts you might experience and some tips on how to cope with them.
Backache This is a common complaint due to changes in posture and the relaxation of ligaments. Try to use your back properly, keeping your back straight when you bend down by bending your knees. Support your back when you are sitting down with a cushion or rolled up towel in the hollow of your back. Try placing a hot water bottle over the site of the pain as well, as the heat can often help. Remember to consult your healthcare professional before taking any drugs. Bathing Problems As your pregnancy progresses and you get bigger, you may find you have problems getting comfortable in the bath. Unfortunately this is usually at a time when a nice warm bath is most appealing and will help you to relax. For safety reasons, it is probably best to take a bath when there is someone else in the house so if you need help getting in or out of the bath, you are not completely on your own. Fainting It is more common for you to faint or feel faint in pregnancy. It is important that you do not stand still for long periods of time or have a sudden change of position, as this may make you feel faint. Later in pregnancy it is important that you do not lie flat on your back. This will result in the weight of the baby pushing on the blood vessels that lead to your heart and will prevent enough oxygen getting to your brain. This is likely to cause you to feel faint and, if you don't move, to actually faint. Always lie either on your side or, if you can only get comfortable on your back, make sure you are propped up with pillows under your lower back and hips. Headaches Headaches can be fairly common in pregnancy and may be due to the hormonal changes that are taking place in your body. Your nose and sinuses also are likely to be more sensitive and can become swollen causing a headache. Fresh air may help to clear your head. If it is practical, it may help to lie down in order to rest, as tiredness could be the cause of the headache. Sometimes headaches can be a sign of high blood pressure so if the headache persists or becomes severe, contact your doctor. Heartburn This usually happens in the latter stages of pregnancy and feels like a burning sensation in the stomach, often rising to the throat. To avoid it, eat little and often and avoid spicy or fatty foods. Try a milky drink before bedtime as this can often help. Some over the counter products are suitable for use during pregnancy. If it becomes severe, then consult your doctor, as sometimes severe heartburn can indicate a more serious underlying problem. Leaking breasts From about sixteen weeks of pregnancy, your breasts product a thin, milky, yellow fluid called colostrum. You may find that your breasts leak a little during pregnancy and this may stain your clothes. You may, therefore, find it useful to wear breast pads. Leg cramps Leg cramps tend to occur in the last few weeks of pregnancy, in the backs of your legs and calves. Massaging your legs will help relieve the cramps and also flexing your feet upwards will stretch the calf muscles. Nose bleeds As your pregnancy progresses, you will have extra blood circulating around your system. With the additional pressure this puts on your vessels, nose bleeds can happen during pregnancy. These are messy, but quite common in pregnant women. If the bleeding is heavy, tip your head forward and pinch the nose, closing the nostrils completely until the bleeding has stopped. If the bleeding persists, consult your doctor. Palpitations During pregnancy the volume of blood that is circulating around your body is increased which in turn makes the heart work harder. In addition, as the pregnancy advances and the baby gets bigger, this puts extra pressure on the heart. This can lead to you sometimes feeling as though your heart has irregular rhythm, which is the most common cause of palpitation. This is normal if it occurs occasionally, but if it persists or happens frequently then you should contact your doctor. Hemorrhoids Hemorrhoids are varicose veins which occur in the anus and can cause itching, soreness and possibly bleeding. Hemorrhoids can be aggravated by constipation because of the extra pressure on your bowels. Try to avoid becoming constipated and this will help prevent hemorrhoids occurring. If they do develop, an over the counter product such as Preparation H® can help. Skin changes Due to hormonal changes during pregnancy you may find that your skin condition and colouring alter. Some women find that problem skin clears and appears healthier and moles and freckles can become darker. The colouring of the skin is determined by pigmentation and this is affected by the changes to your hormone levels. This can mean that some women tan more easily when pregnant and some even develop a mask-like patchy colouring on the face. This is known as chloasma. Many women also notice that as pregnancy progresses they develop a dark line running up the abdomen from the pubic hair up to, and sometimes beyond, the belly button. This is called the linea negra and is normal. However, it tends to be more prominent in women who have dark colouring. These pigmentations will gradually fade when the baby is born, but you may notice that your nipples may always be a little darker than they were before you became pregnant. Sleeplessness (Insomnia) Initially you may experience so many feelings and emotions that you find it difficult to sleep. Having to get up frequently to urinate during the night doesn't help either! Late in pregnancy it is likely that you will have difficulty getting comfortable in bed. Putting extra pillows behind your back, between your legs and under your belly may help. It is also normal for you to have dreams about the baby and the birth. Remember these are just dreams, but if you need reassurance, then talk to your doctor. You may also find it helpful to discuss these with your partner or family. Stretchmarks Stretchmarks can appear anywhere on the body where the skin has stretched, but are most common on the breasts, abdomen and tops of the legs. During pregnancy these marks can appear blue/red in colour, but when the baby is born and the tension is removed, the marks fade and become white and silvery. There are some creams available on the market which are designed to help prevent stretchmarks developing, but they are not an absolute guarantee that you won't get stretchmarks. If you choose to use one, apply it daily as soon as you know you are pregnant and continue until 2 months after your baby is born. Stuffy nose (see nose bleeds also) An increased volume of blood within your body during pregnancy can cause the vessels in your nose to swell and give you a stuffy nose. Try to sleep with your head raised slightly on a pillow if this is a problem but do not use decongestants or nose sprays without checking with your doctor first. Be careful also not to blow your nose too hard as you will be more likely to rupture the vessels and have a nose bleed. Swelling of ankles/feet/hands/face (oedema) The added weight of the baby in the second half of pregnancy increases the pressure on your legs and ankles. At this time, you also have extra fluid in your body which tends to collect in your lower limbs. The following tips may help:
Varicose veins These are veins which become swollen and during pregnancy they are most common in the legs. Occasionally some women get varicose veins around the vaginal opening (vulva), but these are usually quite rare. You can help prevent varicose veins in the legs by:
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