Changes During Pregnancy
Pregnancy brings with it many changes. Perhaps the greatest and most immediate change being what happens to your body. Taking extra care of your changing body is important for both you and your baby.
It’s natural to experience body changes during pregnancy, including backaches, weight gain and fluid retention. However, with proper care and attention to your body you can help manage these changes, which will make getting back in shape more manageable after your pregnancy.
Weight Gain
Try to keep in mind that the extra weight is important for a healthy pregnancy and will eventually come off after you've had the baby. Concentrate on:
Eating nutritious meals
Cutting out junk food
Exercising regularly (after first checking with your healthcare provider)
Backache
If you experience backache brought on by pregnancy, try these methods for reducing discomfort and getting a good night's sleep (under your healthcare provider's supervision):
Simple stretching or yoga to strengthen and stretch back and leg muscles
Treat yourself to a massage to relax and loosen tight back muscles
Try sleeping on your side with a pillow between your bent knees to support your lower back
Swollen Ankles and Feet
Because your body retains more fluid during pregnancy, you may experience swollen legs, ankles and/or feet (edema), particularly during your third trimester. To relieve this condition:
Stay off your feet as much as possible
Wear comfortable shoes
Avoid sitting or standing for long periods
Note: Call your healthcare provider if you notice sudden swelling in your hands and face. It could signal a dangerous pregnancy condition called preeclampsia.
Itchy Skin
It is not uncommon to feel itchy as the skin on your belly and breasts expands. Some women also find that their palms and the soles of their feet get red and you may also find that certain conditions that normally make you itchy (such as dry skin, eczema or food allergies) make you even itchier when you're pregnant.
To reduce discomfort, avoid taking hot showers or baths, use mild soap and moisturize liberally with a lightly scented lotion.
Intense Itching
Severe itchiness in the second or, more commonly, third trimester can be a sign of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, a liver problem that affects up to 2 percent of pregnant women and may spell trouble for your baby. Call your doctor or other healthcare professional immediately if you think you have cholestasis. If you do, your healthcare provider will recommend the appropriate tests for you and your baby.
When to See a Healthcare Professional:Contact your pregnancy care provider promptly if you begin to feel persistent of extreme itchiness.
Stretch Marks
Not all women get stretch marks. Because they appear in areas where the skin has stretched rapidly due to weight gain, you may reduce your chances by gradually adding pounds, and not exceeding the recommended weight for your body type.
If you do get stretch marks, there are some options for minimizing their appearance. Some studies have shown that topical ointments may help; however, they must be applied soon after you give birth (note: Some topical treatments are not safe to use while you are pregnant and/or nursing, so consult with your healthcare provider).
Fast-growing Fingernails
Sometime around the fourth month, your nails may start to grow faster than usual. They may also become softer or more brittle and develop tiny grooves. They should return to normal within a few months postpartum.
Pleasant Body Changes
While many body changes during pregnancy are challenging, there are a few physical changes you will wish last, such as:
A luxuriant head of hair
The proverbial "glow"
A newly ample bosom
Remember that all these changes are happening because new life is growing inside you. Get a head start on stimulating your little one through gentle strokes on your tummy.
