Bodily change during pregnancy: An Overview

by Prapti Chauhan Prapti Chauhan

From the time of conception to the time of giving birth to your baby - pregnancy is an amazing journey. Remarkably, your body will be undergoing a wide-ranging transformation. In this article, you’ll go through these incredible changes. Read on to find out:

ü Feeling Pain in the Body: As the uterus expands, due to the pressure of the baby’s head, and weight, you might feel pain in the back, abdomen, thighs, and groin area. Sometimes the pain goes down the part of the lower back, knees as well as one of the legs and foot. This pain is also known as sciatica pain during pregnancy.

Ø Ways to deal with it: Use a lukewarm water bag and apply it to the places mentioned above. Take as much rest as possible by lying down.

ü Changes in the breasts: You’ll feel your breasts to be full, tender, and increase in size, during your pregnancy. After all, as you go close to your D - day, you’ll gradually get ready for breastfeeding. That said, by the time you reach the last stage of your pregnancy (third trimester), your breasts will start releasing a thick and yellowish fluid (colostrum - first milk). In addition to this, the nipples and skin surrounding them also change with the progression of your pregnancy.

Ø Ways to deal with it: To deal with your breast changes during your pregnancy, wear a full support bra and make sure they are padded to absorb the leakage.

ü Changes in the skin: Due to hormonal changes, you’ll see a sea change in your skin. That said, with the rise in the body’s melanin, the colour of your hair and skin changes. There are chances that you’ll develop dark spots and patches (also known as melasma or “pregnancy mask”). However, by the time you enter the third trimester of your pregnancy, and due to the soaring hormones, there are chances that you’ll develop stretch marks around the abs, breasts, thighs as well as buttocks. Some are faint, while some - dark. Due to the same reasons, you may have acned skin. Having said that, an already pre-pregnant acned skin might just get worse during this phase of your life. Developing spider and varicose veins is also not uncommon. But you needn’t worry!

Ø Ways to deal with it: Your stretch marks as well as the other skin problems would usually disappear after the delivery of your baby, however, you can use an ointment as well as moisturisers for your skin. As far as your dark spots or patches on your skin are concerned, apply sunscreen along with your moisturiser on your face every day, whenever you’re out under the sun.

ü Swelling: As you move ahead with your pregnancy, and you go close to your due date, you’ll notice swelling at your ankles, feet, fingers, and face. Swelling happens because your body might retain more water than is necessary during your pregnancy. Basically, that extra water gets accumulated in the lower part of your body.

Ø Ways to deal with it: Pregnancy swelling may be bothersome for you, however, if you eat potassium-rich food, reduce your caffeine - intake, take a lukewarm bath, as well as stay hydrated.

ü Vaginal Changes: Due to elevated oestrogen levels, more blood flows to the vaginal area and your vulva swells. As a result of which vulvar skin colour as well as the vaginal opening may change and become dark. Vaginal discharge and bleeding are also not uncommon. Some of you may even develop varicose veins in the vagina, and anus.

Ø Ways to deal with it: To relieve the vaginal symptoms during pregnancy, you can apply a cold compress, keep your hips elevated, and wear your compression garment.

So, you can see how during pregnancy, your body can change physically. All this, just because you’re nurturing another life inside you. Experience the changes, don’t miss the doctor’s appointment, and enjoy your pregnancy.