Physical and emotional changes during pregnancy

Physical changes during pregnancy

1| The growing belly

Your belly gets bigger gradually during pregnancy, and your pregnancy bump might show later, especially if it's your first pregnancy. It may appear early depending on your weight gain, the size of the fetus, and the nature of your body.

2| Breast changes

Your breasts will increase significantly during pregnancy in preparation for breastfeeding. Your nipples will also become larger, and the areola will become much darker. You may also experience some nipple discharge during pregnancy. These secretions are colostrum milk that can come from the nipple during pregnancy.

3| Weight gain

It is one of the most common physical changes and is the most disturbing for pregnant women. It is worth noting that the weight gain of a pregnant woman may reach twenty kilograms, especially if she started the pregnancy with a low weight. It is important to note that losing this extra weight will take the mother a few months.

4| Skin changes

Hormonal changes and weight gain during pregnancy cause many changes in the skin. A brown line usually appears below the navel and along the abdomen, and the color of the areola surrounding the nipple may also change, becoming darker. These changes gradually disappear after delivery. In addition to the possibility of stretch marks appearing during pregnancy, these stretch marks do not appear in all pregnant women, as their appearance depends on the degree of weight gain and the nature of the pregnant woman's skin. Stretch marks usually appear on the abdomen, chest, and thighs. One of the common skin problems during pregnancy is the appearance of melasma on the face, so it is essential to use sunscreen when leaving the house.

5| Swollen feet

Swelling of the feet usually occurs during pregnancy and may be accompanied by hand swelling due to weight gain, fluid retention, and poor blood circulation in the extremities. It is essential to monitor blood pressure and watch for any symptoms, such as headache, as these symptoms may be symptoms of preeclampsia.

6| Frequent urination

You will feel the urge to go the bathroom more frequently due to the increased size of the uterus, its pressure on the bladder, and hormonal changes. Also, due to the increased rate of blood pumping, blood circulation increases so that the body can nourish the fetus, which also leads to increased urination.

7| Nausea and vomiting

It is one of the annoying symptoms of pregnancy, which is considered one of the early signs of pregnancy and may continue throughout the pregnancy. Nausea and vomiting occur during pregnancy due to hormonal, physical, psychological, and emotional changes as well. It is essential for a pregnant woman who suffers from frequent vomiting and severe Nausea to monitor her weight gain, to make sure that her weight is increasing as it should, and to drink enough water so that she does not become dehydrated.

8| Pain in the upper thigh

During the last months of pregnancy, pregnant women suffer from pain in the upper thigh, as the excess weight and the large size of the abdomen put pressure on the nerves in this area, causing pain. Therefore, we advise pregnant women to keep their legs elevated to relieve this pressure and reduce pain. It is essential to avoid wearing tight clothing and taking a hot shower. We advise pregnant women to wear comfortable, wide shoes without high heels. Here, I would like to point out that the size of a pregnant woman's foot may increase during pregnancy, and in many cases, it does not return to its previous size.

Mental and emotional changes during pregnancy

The mental changes that pregnant women go through vary and depend on many factors, including:

• Hormonal changes and their severity.
• The degree of readiness for pregnancy, as the mental state of the pregnant woman, depends on whether this pregnancy is planned or not.
• The mental health of the pregnant woman is also affected by the health of the pregnancy, as she feels anxious and stressed if her pregnancy is high-risk and she suffers from various pregnancy complications.

Getting adequate education during pregnancy helps reduce stress and anxiety and dramatically improves the mental state of the pregnant woman. Talk to your doctor, midwife, and husband about any negative feelings or fears you might have to avoid developing pregnancy depression and its negative impact on mental health during pregnancy and after childbirth.

To sum up,

Pregnancy is a roller coaster ride, full of excitement, emotions, and fears, with ups and downs, fast and slow. For you to get through this journey safely, it is vital to take care of your physical and mental health and seek expert advice, especially if you are suffering from any symptoms that may indicate a risk to your physical health, the health of your fetus, or your mental and emotional wellbeing as well. And do not let anyone silence you and tell you that it shall pass and that what you feel is due to pregnancy hormones. Take care of yourself and get the medical advice and help you need. Remember that pregnancy will be full of ups and downs, resulting in your precious baby, who will change your life forever.