Your Changing Body During Pregnancy: Why & How Do They Happen?

During the nine months of pregnancy, a woman's body undergoes various changes. Some of these physical changes are apparent, such as weight gain and an expanding stomach, while others, such as an enlarged uterus, morning sickness, and backaches, are very well-known. A few bodily shifts, on the other hand, can be sudden and catch certain women off guard. It is incredibly remarkable how a woman's body adapts to accommodate a pregnancy. Here are some of the changes in your body throughout your whole pregnancy. Weight Changes Photo Credit : Adobe Stock According to research, pregnancy can lead to changes in many of your daily routines and habits, including what you eat and how much exercise you get. So don’t blame yourself, mummies. It is totally normal. Most importantly, your body will change during pregnancy to ensure that your unborn child receives enough nutrition and other necessities. Remember, eat for yourself and also for the baby inside! In the final months of pregnancy, women gain more weight than in the first few months. This isn't just due to the baby's increasing weight. The extra fluid (water) in the body is also responsible for a substantial portion of the weight gain. This is required for the circulation of the baby, the placenta, and the amniotic fluid. Skin Changes Photo Credit: Adobe Stock Do you know that, due to changes in hormones and blood flow, pregnancy can trigger a variety of changes in your skin? Consider the following changes: Pigmentation changes - The area around your nipples and the skin on your inner thighs, genitals, and neck might darken, possibly due to hormonal changes. You might notice a dark line from your navel to your pubic bone (linea nigra). Dark patches might develop on your face (chloasma). Acne - Acne can be a problem for some women during pregnancy. To prevent this from getting worse, you can clean your face with a gentle cleanser and make sure to hydrate your skin well. Varicose veins - Since your uterus puts more pressure on your veins, you might develop enlarged veins in your legs (varicose veins). Stretch marks - Stretch marks (striae) often appear as indented streaks on the abdomen, breasts, hips, buttocks, and thighs. They are common during the second and third trimesters and are caused by stretching of the skin. Mood/Emotional Changes Photo Credit : Adobe Stock Research shows that pregnancy can be exciting, but it is also very stressful, which can cause emotions to run as high as at a biological level, where the hormones estrogen and progesterone are ramping up! It is advisable for you to be aware of your thoughts and feelings. Find someone who you can talk about those feelings and try to work through them. You might also experience a rollercoaster of emotions during the nine months you are carrying your baby. Mood Swings Whether it is described as moodiness, irritability or crabbiness, pregnancy can bring a roller coaster of emotions as I mentioned above. Some women's emotions do not change that much when they are expecting, but it is not unusual for women to have mood swings, especially during the early and late stages of pregnancy. It is not entirely clear why these mood fluctuations occur and one key reason may be a flood of hormones. Fear Another common emotion during pregnancy is fear. A woman may be fearful of miscarriage or doing something that would hurt her baby's health in the first trimester. In the second trimester, she will begin to doubt whether she will be a good mother and be scared of the immense responsibilities of caring for a newborn. You might also be afraid of the pain during labour or worried that something will go wrong during childbirth by the end of your pregnancy. Anxiety Anxiety and fear always go hand in hand, with the fear of uncertainty that often accompanies pregnancy leading to anxious thoughts. Both the anxiety and fear systems in the brain ramp up during pregnancy. These changes help ensure that a woman keeps her baby safe, cared for and protected after she gives birth. Body image issues It is understandable when your baby bump becomes more noticeable and gains weight in the second and third trimesters, you may become unhappy with your body and appearance, which can affect your self-esteem as well. Symptoms Photo Credit: Adobe Stock How do we know if our body is changing because of pregnancy? When you are pregnant, your body goes through a lot of changes. Every woman's pregnancy experience will vary, ranging from symptoms that you would anticipate to ones that are totally unexpected. It is undeniably helpful to have an idea of how your body may react or change to the different stages of pregnancy. Body changes that may indicate pregnancy: 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 more often back pain vaginal thrush skin changes and itching, and possibly skin tags haemorrhoids (also known as piles) varicose vein swelling in your ankles, feet and hands fatigue, or lack of energy larger, tender breasts. Cravings Photo Credit: Adobe Stock Pregnancy craving is also one of the common changes that happen to a woman's body during pregnancy. Most pregnancy cravings are personal, harmless, and surprisingly can even be kind of funny and unrealistic! It is normal for you to crave unusual food combination or foods that you have never tried before. Based on a report by webmd.com, surveys show that only a scant of 10% of pregnant women crave fruits and vegetables during pregnancy, which a desire to gobble down foods that are not high on the "must-have" scale. Though cravings are normal, however, pregnancy cravings may cause a woman to fill up on the food she craves and skip the nutritious food for her body and her baby. It IS crucial for a pregnant woman to maintain a healthy diet. You cannot simply shove anything into your body just because you 'crave' for it. Thus, this is why I would suggest pregnant mothers to supplement themselves with Similac® Mom, to ensure that they have a healthy pregnancy throughout their 9 months. Similac® Mom Similac® Mom maternal milk is a low-fat maternal supplement for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. It is formulated with Eye-Q® Nutrition System, Natural Vitamin E and Lutein to prevent the oxidation of DHA, which is crucial for the growth and development of your child before birth. These two ingredients also help to support faster learning starting from the womb. Similac® Mom contains 23 vitamins and minerals that help to meet the nutritional needs(1) from before and after childbirth. The lowest fat content(2) helps to support better weight management during pregnancy, and post-delivery weight loss for breastfeeding moms. Complete Nutrition In A Glass With just two servings a day, you can get the recommended nutrient intake for calcium and folic acid. Other than that, it provides the nutrition needed to support your little one’s growth and development. Take care of your cravings and make sure you are getting enough nutrition with Similac® Mom. Get yours today at Lazada! For more information about Similac® Mom, visit their official website and Facebook page today. References: Malaysian Recommended Nutrient intake, 2017. 2016 Label comparison amongst maternal milk brands in Malaysia.

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