Pregnancy Body Changes PDF

2 Changes to your body that may indicate pregnancy You may first realise that you’re pregnant when you miss your period. That’s a good time to take a pregnancy test or speak with your doctor. If you are pregnant, your body is experiencing major change. From symptoms that you might expect, to ones...

2 Changes to your body that may indicate pregnancy You may first realise that you’re pregnant when you miss your period. That’s a good time to take a pregnancy test or speak with your doctor. If you are pregnant, your body is experiencing major change. From symptoms that you might expect, to ones that are completely unexpected, every woman will have a different pregnancy experience. It’s helpful to have an idea of how your body may react to the different stages of pregnancy. It also helps to know how pregnancy may affect your emotions and feelings. In early pregnancy, you may experience some (or all, or even none) of the following symptoms: aches and pains (possibly in your lower abdomen and in your joints) morning sickness, which may be nausea or actual vomiting, and does not just happen in the morning constipation food cravings and aversions heartburn and indigestion a need to urinate (pee) more often back pain tiredness vaginal thrush skin changes and itching, and possibly skin tags haemorrhoids (also known as piles) leg cramps restless legs (leg twitching at night) varicose vein swelling in your ankles, feet and hands dizziness or fainting fatigue, or lack of energy nasal problems, or shortness of breath larger, tender breasts. Morning sickness The first thing to know about morning sickness is that it can hit you at any time of day. Probably a result of your changing hormones, it usually starts about week 6 and settles by week 14. You may feel better if you: drink small amounts of fluid, often. Try flat lemonade, sports drinks, diluted fruit juice, weak tea, clear soup or a hot drink make of stock suck on ice or ice-blocks (if you can’t keep down other fluids) try ginger tablets, dry ginger ale or ginger tea eat small amounts of food more often, so you don’t have an empty stomach eat a dry biscuit when you wake up in the morning, to avoid feeling sick when you get out of bed try salty foods such as potato crisps or salty biscuits suck on barley sugar or boiled lollies avoid fatty, rich or spicy foods avoid the smell of hot food avoid cooking dishes with strong smells rest as much as you can. A small percentage of women have prolonged and excessive vomiting (called hyperemesis), which can lead to dehydration if it is not treated. First trimester In the first trimester: You feel tired and possibly nauseous (like vomiting). You gain 1 or 2 kilograms, or maybe less if you have morning sickness. Most of this weight is in the placenta (which feeds your baby), your breasts, your uterus (womb) and the extra blood that you are making. Your heartbeat and breathing rate are faster. Your breasts become tender, larger and heavier. Your growing uterus puts pressure on your bladder, so you feel like you need to urinate (pee) a lot. You may feel swinging moods. You know exactly how you feel about having a baby, or you have no idea how to feel! 6 Second trimester In the second trimester: You start to feel better, with less tiredness, morning sickness and moodiness. You may feel your mind is wandering and not focused at work or at home. You gain about 6 kilograms. You may feel anxious about tests (including an ultrasound) done at this stage. But, if they find any health issues, these tests will ensure you and your baby receive the right care. Your hair may become thicker and your fingernails may become stronger. Or, your nails may be softer and break more easily. You may crave some foods, such as sweet, spicy or fatty foods. You may not like the taste or smell of some foods. 7 Third trimester In the third trimester: Forgetfulness may continue. You feel tired and probably uncomfortable. You may be annoyed by the discomfort. You may start to worry about labour as it nears. You probably gain about 5 kilograms. Much of this weight is your baby, but also amniotic fluid, the placenta, your breasts, your blood and your uterus. You may have back pain. You may find it hard to sleep because you are uncomfortable. The baby may be placing pressure on your lungs, making it harder to breathe. You may feel Braxton Hicks contractions (tightening of the muscles of the uterus). They do not mean labour is starting. 8 Your feelings and emotions during pregnancy During pregnancy you will probably feel many ups and downs. You may experience some or all of these emotions (and they may change quickly): Surprise – if your pregnancy is unexpected. You may then feel joy (if you welcome the pregnancy) or fear (if you are unsure about the change to your life) or both. Happiness – particularly if you have been trying to have a baby and you feel well. Anger – which can result from your body’s hormonal changes, from a sense of being vulnerable, or from pregnancy symptoms that are uncomfortable or painful. Fear for the baby’s health – if you have concerns about your baby having an illness or disability. If you are worried about a particular risk, talk to your midwife or doctor. Fear of birth – which is a recognised psychological disorder. Counselling and talking with your midwife or doctor can help you overcome this fear. Love – for your baby, your partner and your family. Sadness or disappointment – if you have illness or complications during your pregnancy, or you can’t have the birth plan that you would prefer. General sadness about the world – whereby you find it hard to watch the news or hear sad stories about children or families. Grief – if you suffer a miscarriage, a loss at a later stage of pregnancy, or a stillbirth. Prolonged sadness from perinatal depression – in this case, you will need the help of mental health specialists. 9 Mood swings during pregnancy The hormones changing in your body mean you will probably have heightened emotions, both positive and negative. And you will probably swing between these emotions. While you may be overjoyed about having a baby, you may also be stressed and overwhelmed. You may feel worried about whether: your baby will affect your relationship with your partner you will cope financially you will be able to juggle work and parenting you will be a good mother the baby will be healthy your other children will accept and love the new baby. You may also feel unimpressed with your changing body. You may be worried about putting on too much weight, or not enough. Or not being able to do the physical activity that you usually do. Or not looking attractive to your partner. Add the hormone-induced fatigue, forgetfulness and moodiness, and you may feel completely out of control. This is all common. 10 Depression during pregnancy About 15 per cent of women will have depression or anxiety during pregnancy. And even more will suffer from these conditions after giving birth. Many women don’t seek help because they feel embarrassed or guilty about feeling so awful when are they are supposed to be happy. But depression is not something that you can control in this way. Because an untreated mental health condition can have long term effects on your health and wellbeing, and on your baby too, getting the right treatment is vital. 11  depressed or miserable for most of the day and on most days annoyed, angry or anxious a lot of the time crying a lot (and not always for a reason) losing interest in activities that you usually like struggling to sleep (even when your baby is sleeping), or sleeping more than usual under- or over-eating feeling tired most of the time not able to concentrate preoccupied or anxious about things going wrong with your pregnancy, you, your baby or your partner feeling that you have not bonded with your baby, or that you have no maternal feelings feeling guilty, or feeling that you are failing as a mother thinking about harming yourself thinking it would be better if you or your baby were dead thinking about suicide. Remember, tell someone if you feel depressed, because early treatment is the best treatment. 12 Anxiety during pregnancy You may be feeling quite anxious about your pregnancy and about being a parent. Many pregnant women feel some anxiety, but a few develop an anxiety disorder that needs treatment. 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. 13 Heartburn Why it happens: Heartburn is very common in pregnancy. Your body produces large amounts of progesterone during pregnancy. This hormone relaxes the smooth muscle tissues to prepare for your belly to grow. But it also relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter—a muscle that usually seals stomach acid away from the throat. When lax, this bundle of muscles allows acid and food to travel backward from the stomach, causing a burning sensation in your chest. Irritation in the throat and stomach from all that acid can lead to nausea, particularly in the first and third trimesters. Heartburn tends to get worse in the third trimester, as your growing baby pushes up against your stomach. So if your nausea comes back with a vengeance, try something for heartburn! What you can do: To relieve the burn, try an antacid, such as Tums or Rolaids. However, some of these are full of sugar, so be careful if you have diabetes. If that does not help your heartburn, your doctor may suggest over-the-counter acid- reducing medication such as omeprazole, which can prevent heartburn before it starts. 14 Trouble Sleeping Why it happens: Pregnancy hormones can cause intense, vivid dreams early in pregnancy, which may wake you up. At about 10 to 12 weeks, you might notice that you need to use the bathroom more often, disrupting your sleep further. Also, as your belly grows, it makes it harder to find a comfortable way to sleep, making those all-important Zzzs even harder to achieve. Many pregnant women also note that their babies are most active at night—babies tend to be more nocturnal, even into the newborn stage, and you may notice the activity more during pregnancy when you’re lying down making it seem like your little one is quite the night owl. 15 What you can do: Talk with your doctor before taking any medication or supplement to help you sleep. For many women, Unisom is a safe sleep medication. It's similar to Benadryl. Some patients feel groggy the morning after taking it. And if you struggle with morning sickness, taking a combination of Unisom and vitamin B-6 also may help reduce nausea, too. Good old fashioned sleep hygiene and meditation are also very helpful to promote healthy sleep and are a good place to start. This includes using the bedroom only for sleep and sex, as well as using the hour before bedtime to do a relaxing routine like a shower or a nice cup of warm milk. But avoid screens, so no TV or phone time right before bed, as this sends the wrong signals to your brain. Meditation apps that have sleep stories or guided sleep are also wonderful things to add to your in-bed routine. My favorites are Sleep Cycle and Headspace, but Calm and other similar apps are also great. There is no reliable safety data around taking melatonin during pregnancy, so we do not recommend using it. Also, avoid over-the-counter cold medications that promise a restful sleep. These drugs may contain nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and aspirin, which are not recommended during 16 pregnancy. Thicker Hair, Followed by Hair Loss Why it happens: Here’s one pregnancy side effect you might appreciate: thicker and more shiny hair. You’ll likely notice more luscious locks early in pregnancy, thanks to hormones and prenatal vitamins that keep your hair in the growing phase longer. That means less hair falls out than usual. Don’t get too attached to your newly luscious locks. Once your baby is born, all that hair that didn’t fall out during pregnancy will. While it may seem overwhelming to lose handfuls of hair at a time, don’t panic. You’re not going bald! It is natural for your hair to thin a bit after you deliver, and it will grow back. What you can do: If you want to try keeping the volume longer, you should continue taking prenatal vitamins, especially during breastfeeding. You could also try a topical hair strengthening concentrate such as Yerba de la Negrita, which is safe in breastfeeding as it is topical, but it's always good to mention its use to your doctor as well. Commercial hair regrowth gels and creams usually say not to use after delivery mostly because they are not tested in breastfeeding mommas, so being patient with the natural regrowth of your hair will be the safest, best choice. 17 Mood Swings Why it happens: Women often feel more emotional when they’re pregnant. I'm not usually a crier, but when I’m pregnant like I am now, it’s not unusual to find myself bawling while watching a television show that usually would not make me even blink. While this is somewhat disturbing to my husband, it's totally normal. Hormones can make you cry when you are happy, sad or anything in between. And all the changes in your life can be overwhelming at times. Plus, you’re likely not getting enough sleep, and that can certainly factor into your emotions. What you can do: While heightened emotions are perfectly normal during pregnancy, if they begin to interfere with your life or especially if you are having thoughts of harming yourself, talk to your doctor. These symptoms may be signs of depression or anxiety, which can happen in pregnancy and are very important to get treatment for. Pregnancy is not a happy time for everyone, and it is important to share those feelings. 18 Nosebleeds Why it happens: Your blood volume doubles during pregnancy to support your growing baby and to prepare you for delivery when you’ll lose some blood. All this extra blood can sometimes cause more fragile and larger blood vessels—such as those in your nose—to rupture and bleed more easily. Plus, in New Mexico, the double-whammy of dry air during summer and winter increases the risk of nosebleeds. What you can do: You may not be able to prevent all nosebleeds, but there are a few things that can help: Use a humidifier at night. Coat the inside of your nose with a nasal spray of saltwater, over the counter names include Ocean Spray, which can help keep those vessels moist Use a nasal rinse, such as a neti pot, to keep the sinuses clear. Drink lots of fluids to keep your mucous membranes hydrated If you get a nosebleed, put pressure on it using a wad of tissue. Hold the tissue there for about a minute before releasing pressure. You can also leave that tissue wad in the nose for a little while. If you are still bleeding after about 15 minutes, you should go to the hospital. However, this is very rare. 19 Swelling in Unexpected Places Why it happens: You expect your belly to grow during pregnancy, but you’ll likely notice swelling in other areas, too. Your blood volume doubles during pregnancy, and you'll start retaining fluids to prepare for delivery and loss of fluids. Much of this extra fluid remains in the veins but, like an oversaturated sponge, some seeps into your body tissues. This can lead to a puffy face, arms, hands, legs or feet. What you can do: If the swelling is occurring mostly in your legs or feet, try to avoid standing for long periods of time. Take a break and raise your legs above your heart level if possible. You also can try compression socks to improve circulation. Just know if you lift your feet above your head, it will likely make you need to pee soon, so don’t do this right before bed. While some swelling is normal, it also can be a sign of preeclampsia, a pregnancy complication caused by high blood pressure. Call the doctor immediately if you experience sudden or excessive swelling, especially in the face. 20 Bigger Feet Why it happens: In addition to swelling, the ligaments in your body stretch during pregnancy—including those in the feet. Your arch may dip lower, resulting in foot "growth" of a half-size or more. What you can do: Get used to buying larger shoes. While your feet may return to their pre-pregnancy size after the birth, many women find their feet are permanently larger. 21 Balance Problems Why it happens: Research suggests that one in four women fall during their pregnancy. Your growing baby bump changes your center of gravity and causes the curve of your back to become more pronounced. At the same time, pregnancy hormones loosen your ligaments in your pelvis, hips, knees and ankles. The instability can make you feel a little loosey-goosey on your feet. Plus, swelling in your feet can even change how the floor feels underfoot! What you can do: Pay more attention to your surroundings when moving around, especially pets that like to be under your feet. Consider removing slip- and-trip hazards such as rugs until the baby is born. One thing that I find helpful later in pregnancy is wearing a support belt under my belly. It doesn’t necessarily straighten your back, but it reminds you to correct your posture and can feel like a supportive hand to help hold your belly. 22 Skin Changes Why it happens: As your baby grows, your skin is pulled tight and tiny tears can appear in the layers of tissue under the skin. These stretch marks can appear pink, red, yellow or brown. Most women get stretch marks on their belly, rear end, thighs, hips or breasts. The same thing can happen to anyone who suddenly starts working out a ton and gets lots of muscle or gains weight quickly. Along with stretching skin, you also may notice brown patches appearing on your skin, particularly your face. This is called melasma and it’s associated with pregnancy hormones. Those hormones also may be why you see a dark brown line running down your abdomen. You’ve always had this line, but it was too light to see before pregnancy. Melasma and linea nigra may fade away a few months after giving a birth. What you can do: There’s no magic cure for stretch marks, though some tricks can minimize their appearance. For starters, try to control your weight gain during pregnancy. Your doctor can help you determine how much weight you need to gain and give you guidance to avoid gaining too much. Remember, eating for two doesn’t mean eating twice as much! Keeping your skin moisturized can help, along with the perks of relieving dry, itchy skin. There are some skin lightening creams you can try as well, but these may bleach your skin along with the problem spot. Please note that laser therapy treatments are not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Talk with a dermatologist about your options if spots or stretch marks bother you. 23 Diastasis Recti Why it happens: Your abdominal muscles have to stretch as your pregnancy progresses. In approximately two-thirds of pregnant women, the two sides of the abdominal wall actually split apart. This condition is called diastasis recti. In some cases, the gap closes on its own after you give birth. Often, women need physical therapy to repair and strengthen the muscles if the gap persists. This happens even in highly active women such as professional runner Stephanie Bruce, who has an amazingly firm core but still has diastasis recti three years after having her baby. The condition can safely be present and not impede on exercise or having a strong core. What you can do: Talk with your doctor about exercises you can safely do during pregnancy to strengthen your core. The best bet is to have a strong core prior to pregnancy, if possible. This does not totally prevent diastasis as it is a natural separation, especially if you are a smaller momma to start off with. If diastasis recti doesn’t heal on its own after delivery, your doctor or a physical therapist can help with exercises or interventions to strengthen your abs. 24