While your doctor may have provided you with all the important information you need to stay well and keep healthy throughout your special nine months, some things may go unmentioned though, probably due to the fact that they do not have any medical focus on them. Nevertheless, here are some ‘other’ changes that may occur during your pregnancy that may catch you off-guard!
Mood Swings
If you’re no stranger to premenstrual syndrome, then you’d probably not be too overwhelmed with mood swings during pregnancy. The only difference is, unlike PMS which renders you irritable for days, mood swings during pregnancy does as it sounds — make you ‘swing’ from feeling happy one minute to feeling like crying the next, for no apparent reason.
However, some women experience depression during pregnancy, and you won’t want to mistake this for mood swings. Some symptoms for prenatal depression include sleep disturbances and difficulty in falling asleep; changes in eating habits (a complete lack of appetite or an inability to stop eating), and exaggerated mood swings for longer than two weeks. If any of these are happening to you, let your doctor know.
Hair and Nails
The hormones secreted by your body will cause your hair to grow faster and fall out less. Remember though that these hair changes usually aren’t permanent and most women tend to experience hair loss during the postpartum period or after they stop breastfeeding.
Your nails too may be affected by the extra hormones, causing them to grow faster and become stronger. Some women, however, find that their nails tend to split and break more easily during pregnancy. Like the changes in hair, nail changes aren’t permanent.
Acne and rashes
While lots of air-time is given to the famous pregnancy glow, very little is mentioned about not-so-fabulous skin changes such as acne, which is quite common during pregnancy. Acne occurs when the skin’s sebaceous glands increase their oil production. They may not be the only evolving spots on your face or body — moles or freckles that you had before pregnancy may appear bigger and darker too. Many women also experience heat rash, caused by dampness and perspiration during pregnancy, but rest assured that most of these skin changes are temporary will likely disappear after you give birth.
Shoe Size
Alright… it makes perfect sense that you will not fit into your pre-pregnancy clothes when you’re heavily pregnant, but your shoes should fit fine, shouldn’t they? Well, guess again! Due to water retention, normalcy during pregnancy, many women experience swelling in their feet, prompting them to wear larger shoes. Resist stuffing your feet in shoes that are too small, even if they were your favourite before pregnancy, for apart from already being bigger and heavier, you don’t want to add painful feet to the list of pregnancy discomforts.
Joint issues
During pregnancy, your body produces a hormone known as relaxin, which loosens the ligaments in your body and helps prepare the pubic area and the cervix for the birth. This hormone, however, might render you less stable and more prone to injury. It’ll seem easier to stretch during exercising, but take care not to overstretch or strain yourself, especially the joints in your pelvis, lower back, and knees!
Varicose Veins
Varicose veins occur when blood pools in your veins during pregnancy, enlarging them. They may occur in the legs and also in the genital area. Varicose veins often disappear after pregnancy, but you can lessen them by:
- avoiding prolonged standing or sitting positions
- wearing loose, comfortable clothing
- wearing support hose (ask your doctor or pharmacist for a recommendation)
- elevating your feet when you sit
Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids, which occur in the rectum, are common during pregnancy. Because your blood volume has increased and your uterus puts pressure on your pelvis, the veins in your rectum may enlarge into grape-like clusters. Hemorrhoids can be extremely painful, and they may bleed, itch, or sting, especially during or after a bowel movement. It can make toilet visits quite unpleasant. Speak to your doctor for safe remedies if you happen to suffer from hemorrhoids.
Constipation
Constipation is common because pregnancy hormones slow the rate of food passing through the gastrointestinal tract. Also, during the later stages of pregnancy, your uterus may push against your large intestine, making it difficult to have a bowel movement. Constipation can also lead to hemorrhoids because straining may enlarge the veins of the rectum.
The best way to combat constipation is to prevent them! Eating a fiber-rich diet, drinking plenty of fluids daily, and exercising regularly can help keep bowel movements regular. If constipation becomes a problem for you, talk to your doctor for advice on how to safely deal with it.
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