Physical Changes in the Mother During Pregnancy
Pregnancy causes many changes in a woman’s body. Some, like your belly growing larger, are common and expected. Other physical changes can indicate a problem. Most of the physical changes of pregnancy go away after you give birth.
What physical changes are cause for concern?
High blood pressure and high blood sugar (diabetes) can develop during pregnancy. These can be dangerous for you and your baby. Certain symptoms are warning signs of complications from these or other diseases.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms during your pregnancy:
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Strange headaches, or headaches that won’t go away
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Light-headedness
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Eyesight problems
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Pain or cramps in your lower belly
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Contractions
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Vaginal bleeding
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Leaking fluid from your vagina (which could be amniotic fluid)
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Swelling in your hands or feet
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Less urine than usual
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Any illness or infection
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Tremors (shaking of your hands or feet)
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Seizures
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Fast heart rate
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Less movement from your baby
What physical changes happen in early pregnancy?
In the very beginning of pregnancy, you may have:
Morning sickness
Feeling sick to your stomach and throwing up are very common in pregnancy. This is caused by pregnancy hormones in your body. Despite the name "morning sickness," you can feel sick to your stomach and throw up at any time of day. Some pregnant women throw up so often and for so long that they need medicine or IV fluids.
To lessen morning sickness, try the following:
Heartburn
Heartburn (a burning pain in your chest) is common in pregnancy. Heartburn is caused by stomach acid going back up your esophagus (the tube that carries food from your mouth to your stomach).
To lessen heartburn, try the following:
If heartburn disturbs your sleep, try the following:
What physical changes happen in late pregnancy?
During late pregnancy, you may be especially tired. You may have physical changes like:
Backache
Varicose veins
How will my breasts change during pregnancy?
Your breasts will get larger and may feel tender.
The skin around your nipples may darken.
At the end of pregnancy, a thin, yellowish, or milky fluid, called colostrum, will come out of your nipples. This fluid has lots of antibodies and minerals. It provides the first food to a breastfed baby.
How will my skin change during pregnancy?
Pregnancy hormones can cause your skin to look different. Many of these changes go away or fade after you have your baby.
You may get:
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Brownish patches on your forehead or cheeks (melasma)
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Darkening of the skin around your nipples
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A dark line running down your belly
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Stretch marks on your belly
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Small, red, spiderlike patterns (spider angioma)
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A very itchy rash that happens only in pregnancy, usually in the 2nd or 3rd trimester
Drugs Mentioned In This Article
| Generic Name | Select Brand Names |
|---|---|
aspirin |
No US brand name |
