Physical Changes
Pregnancy is a time of rapid changes for your body. Most changes are temporary and will gradually disappear after childbirth. Some may be pleasant, while others may cause discomfort.
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| Discover 13 Physiological Changes During Pregnancy |
Heart, Blood Vessels, and Lungs
During pregnancy, your pulse may increase by approximately 10 beats per minute. Your heart shifts slightly in your chest as the baby grows and the uterus expands. The volume of your blood increases to meet the needs of the fetus.
Pregnancy leads to changes that also affect breathing. Many pregnant women experience slight shortness of breath during their pregnancy. This shortness of breath develops gradually and remains mild. It may be present from the early months of pregnancy.
Hair and Body Hair
The growth of hair and body hair can be altered. During pregnancy, some women may notice an increase in body hair, and their hair may appear fuller. A few months after childbirth, some women will experience more significant hair loss than usual.
Skin
Hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy stimulate the skin and scalp, leading to changes in several women. These modifications should not be a cause for concern. The majority of them decrease or disappear in the months following the birth of the baby.
Hyperpigmentation
The skin becomes darker in the majority of pregnant women. This is known as hyperpigmentation. It is primarily located on a thin dark line between the navel and the pubis. Hyperpigmentation may also be present on the areolas, perineum, anus, neck, armpits, and the skin around the navel.
Chloasma, or the "mask of pregnancy," is a consequence of hyperpigmentation. It manifests as brown marks that appear on the face.
Sun exposure can exacerbate hyperpigmentation and chloasma. You may apply sunscreen to protect yourself from this. Hyperpigmentation and chloasma typically diminish after childbirth, usually disappearing within the year following the baby’s birth.
Stretch Marks
Stretch marks may appear during the second half of pregnancy. They are primarily visible on the abdomen, breasts, and thighs, but can also occur under the armpits, in the lower back, on the buttocks, and on the arms. Stretch marks form when a deep layer of the skin stretches due to the body's transformations. Initially, they have a pink or purplish hue and become less noticeable over time.
There is no recognized effective method to prevent or treat stretch marks. The massage movement accompanying the application of a moisturizing cream may slightly help to reduce their appearance, but the moisturizers themselves are unlikely to have much effect.
Other Changes
Some women develop acne, which usually resolves after pregnancy.
Hormonal stimulation of the skin can lead to the formation of skin tags ("acrochordon"), which are small benign skin growths that are more common in skin folds, such as the neck and armpits.
Some women may notice the appearance of angiomas between the second and fifth months of pregnancy. These are small red spots formed on the skin by blood vessels. The majority of angiomas will resolve on their own within three months following childbirth.
Bladder and Kidneys
During pregnancy, bladder function is altered. The kidneys increase in size and filter a larger volume of fluid. These changes can lead to urgent or more frequent urges to urinate. Later in pregnancy, the uterus expands as the baby grows, exerting pressure on the bladder. This further increases the urge to urinate.
It is likely that you will also feel the need to urinate more often at night. During the day, your body tends to retain water in your tissues. When you lie down, these water reserves are directed to the kidneys, and you find yourself needing to urinate again!
Stomach and Intestines
Digestion is often slowed during pregnancy due to hormonal changes. This can cause heartburn or constipation.
Breasts
Your breasts may become more sensitive and increase in volume. The blue veins that run across the surface of your skin may become more apparent.
Your nipples and areolas prepare for breastfeeding by slightly enlarging. They may darken, and small raised bumps form on the areola. These bumps are glands that produce an oil to help maintain skin hydration and protect it during the breastfeeding period.
Haut du formulaire
From 16 weeks of pregnancy, the breasts begin to produce colostrum. Colostrum is the first milk that nourishes the baby after birth. In some women, colostrum may even leak during pregnancy. This is completely normal.
Uterus
Before pregnancy, the uterus is about the size of a small pear. As the pregnancy progresses, it expands to accommodate the needs of the fetus. The uterus changes shape and position within your abdomen.
Its weight increases and shifts your center of gravity forward, which can lead to changes in posture. This is why the gait of some pregnant women may differ from what it was before pregnancy.
Vaginal Discharge
Due to hormonal changes, vaginal discharge is often more abundant during pregnancy. It is typically whitish, viscous, and odorless.
Baby Growth in the Uterus
Learn about fetal development during pregnancy, from here:
Fetal development in the first trimester of pregnancy.
Fetal development in the second trimester of pregnancy.
Fetal development in the third trimester of pregnancy.
Ligaments and Joints
The ligaments that support the joints, particularly in the pelvic area, tend to relax under the influence of pregnancy hormones. This relaxation occurs gradually. It can cause pain in some women during physical activity and even at rest.
Fat Reserves
Throughout pregnancy, women accumulate fat reserves. This primarily occurs in
the abdomen, back, and thighs. These reserves store energy and are necessary
for the proper progression of pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Weight Gain
The growth of the baby and the physical changes of pregnancy lead to weight gain in pregnant women.
The weight gained corresponds to the weight of the growing baby, but also to the weight of the uterus, amniotic fluid, and placenta. The breasts, maternal fat reserves, blood, and extravascular fluids also contribute to the increase in weight.
Adequate weight gain contributes to a healthy pregnancy, but it is not the only factor. Having a good diet and engaging in regular physical activity will also have a positive effect on your health and that of your baby.
Weight Changes During Pregnancy
At the beginning of pregnancy, appetite may vary due to morning sickness and
pregnancy cravings. Some women gain more weight, while others lose weight. This
will adjust in the following months.
By the end of the first trimester, one should expect to have gained between 500 g and 2 kg (1 to 4.5 lb). The majority of weight gain occurs during the second and third trimesters, as your baby's growth accelerates.
During these two trimesters, you can expect to gain between 225 and 500 g (between 0.5 and 1 lb) per week, depending on your weight before pregnancy.
Weight gain can vary greatly from one woman to another and even from one pregnancy to another.
It is not necessary to weigh yourself at home. Your weight gain will be monitored by your healthcare professional. If you are concerned about your weight gain, do not hesitate to mention it to them.
Women carrying more than one baby (e.g., twins, triplets) will gain more weight than others. If this is your case, you will receive monitoring tailored to your situation.
Living with these changes
- Even though each woman experiences her pregnancy differently, the transformation of your body can alter your perception of it.
- Some women feel comfortable with the numerous physical changes. These, such as the rounding belly, can represent the developing baby and the promise of a growing family.
- Other women find it more challenging to accept their changing bodies.
- The daily symptoms and discomforts can also make it harder to embrace one’s body and new image.Don’t hesitate to express your discomforts and dissatisfaction, if you are experiencing them, or to discuss them with trusted individuals.