Pregnancy is definitely not a one day event; with different stages of pregnancy comes certain hormonal changes which could affect your body during pregnancy.
A lot of women see different changes in their body when they are pregnant; it’s not just you, it’s also happening to someone else.
Below are some common body changes that come with pregnancy
1. VAGINAL BLEEDING
A high percentage of women experience vaginal bleeding or spotting during pregnancy; many women even confuse this to be miscarriage, which isn’t always the case, though it’s important to visit your doctor for a check up.
Subchorionic hematoma can cause vaginal bleeding; it’s a condition in which blood accumulates within the folds of the chorion or between the uterus and the placenta.
Spotting can occur after sex and could also be a sign of labour; but it’s important to check on your doctor as miscarriage can’t be ruled out.
2. INCREASED SEX DRIVE
Some women also experience an increase in their sex drive during pregnancy. This is largely due to an increase in hormone levels and blood flow to the lower region.
3. YOUR BONES LOOSEN UP
Have you ever imagined how a baby’s head can make it out of a bony pelvis?
The hormone relaxin, called thus for its relaxing qualities helps relaxes the cartilage that holds the bones together. This hormone helps makes labour easier, though it also loosens up other bones and joints which make a lot of women complain about joint pains.
4. SWOLLEN FEET
Almost everything in a woman’s body gets bigger when pregnant and a lot of women experience swollen feet as well.
Your body retains more fluids during pregnancy, plus your uterus puts more pressure on your veins. Also, hormone relaxin plays a hand in making a pregnant woman’s feet swell.
5. BLEEDING GUM
Bleeding gum is another occurrence some women experience during pregnancy. Pregnancy gingivitis is an inflammation of the gum which is caused by hormonal changes that increases blood flow throughout the body including the gums, making the gum to become extra sensitive, irritable and even swell.
Women ought to keep their oral hygiene at a high, as these hormonal changes can make it difficult to fight infections.
6. NUMB OR TINGLING HANDS
This is another body change a lot of women experience. Carpal tunnel syndrome could occur in a woman leaving her with the side effect of a numb hand or tingling hand. Fluid retention which occurs in pregnant women is a cause of this syndrome which compresses a major nerve that passes over the carpal bones leading to its feeling of numbness.
7. POOR BLADDER CONTROL
This is common in almost every pregnant woman. Do not beat yourself over this; it’s your growing infant that presses down on the bladder, urethra and pelvic floor muscles leading to your inability to stay still when pressed.
Pregnancy is not a day’s job, but it’s surely a beautiful thing and the pride of every mother.
S.O.Z