When you find out you’re pregnant, you are likely to be thrust into some bodily and hormonal changes that you might or might not be expecting. Pregnancy can be a wonderful journey for some, and all pregnancies are different, meaning different symptoms and signs for women to look for and, more importantly, experience.
Caring for and growing your child is one of the most amazing things a body can do, but it doesn’t always have the nicest side effects for mum.
This post is going to detail some of the more common changes a woman might experience when pregnant.
Sleep Changes
Changes to sleeping patterns can be begin at any time during pregnancy, but many people find this gets worse once the baby grows, and they find it more difficult to get comfortable or lie down to sleep. It could also be increased urination, heartburn, or pain that keeps them awake.
But when pregnant, expecting sleep disruption, while not something fun to look forward to, is standard but there are things you can do to help you prepare for it and put measures in place to minimise it. This article, ” How To Sleep When Pregnant: The Best Positions, Plus Tips For A Restful Night,” can be massively helpful if you’re struggling to sleep at any point in your pregnancy to get that much-needed rest.
Appetite Changes
Alongside disrupted sleep, changes in appetite are one of the most common changes people note when being pregnant.
That’s not to say every pregnant person experiences changes to their diet and eating habits, but more often than not, people do find they have food cravings, aren’t able to eat as much in one sitting, or avoid certain foods entirely.
There is seemingly no rhyme or reason for this, and many people jokingly state that their baby is already fussy about what they want to eat.
It is thought that your hormones and your sense of taste and smell change during pregnancy, meaning what you once found enjoyable is no longer what you want to eat and even things you would never normally eat make their way into your diet. Some mums note massive changes in their metabolism and appetite, with some eating drastically more or less. But it is important to try to eat a balanced diet as possible to give you and the baby what you need for a healthy pregnancy.
Changes in Skin Pigmentation
Did you know that your skin can undergo changes during pregnancy? Many women notice a change in pigmentation, resulting in darker patches. This is a natural occurrence caused by hormonal changes that stimulate the skin to produce more melanin, altering your skin tone.
Wondering if your skin pigmentation changes will go away after childbirth? In some cases, yes. Your skin will likely return to its normal state, and dark spots may fade. In other cases, these changes may be more permanent, but remember, it’s all part of the journey and your body’s response to pregnancy.
Additionally, you may experience more frequent breakouts and acne during pregnancy. Rest assured, these are temporary and will clear once your hormones settle after childbirth. You might also notice new moles, which should be checked by your GP to ensure they’re not cancerous.
Heartburn
As the old wives’ tale goes, if you have heartburn during pregnancy, you’re giving birth to a baby with a full head of hair. Sadly, this is not always true, and even babies with little to no hair can seemingly cause massive amounts of heartburn and reflux for their mum as they grow.
Heartburn during pregnancy occurs when the muscles that break down become more relaxed. Add into the mix hormonal changes to play, and your body taking longer to break down and process food, and you have the perfect recipe for increased heartburn.
Medications like Gaviscon are safe to take when pregnant, but talking to your GP can get you the right treatment should you be struck down with this painful condition.
Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes is when you are diagnosed with diabetes for the first time when pregnant despite not being at risk of it prior to pregnancy. Around 1 in 20 pregnancies in the UK result in gestational diabetes, amounting to around 30,000 women each year.
This usually resolves once you have given birth (The University of Cambridge does suggest that 33% of women diagnosed with gestational diabetes go on to become type 2 diabetic within 15 years). However, if you are diagnosed, you need to follow strict rules for the remainder of your pregnancy to avoid any health risks and complications for you and your baby. Even the healthiest of people can be diagnosed with this pregnancy complication and bodily change.
Breast Changes
One of the more commonly noticed changes in pregnancy is breast changes. This can happen early in pregnancy, which is a significant indicator for some women. The change in your breasts is the body’s way of preparing for the beautiful act of breastfeeding. You might find your breasts appear fuller or larger than usual, you might find changes to the size and shape of your areola, and you might notice lumps around the nipple. All of these are common and are your body’s way of getting ready for this important phase.
Energy Levels
Energy level changes are a pretty common occurrence in pregnancy, and this can be down to several reasons. In the first instance, it is hard to grow a human inside you when your body expends morue energy, making you more lethargic or less energetic. It can fluctuate wildly depending on how far into your pregnancy you are.
Your diet, appetite, sleep, and activity changes can also impact your energy levels. As your body will go through many changes, it’s not natural for you to experience highs and lows in your energy levels, too. If you are covered, you’re feeling more lethargic than you should be, or you are struggling with low energy levels, to your doctor as there could be something medical at play, and they can help you with this.
