Common Changes to your body during Pregnancy

From the moment you become pregnant, your body starts the wonderful process of making a baby. This can be both a joyous time and also very difficult, as some mothers need time and help to adjust to their new body and the symptoms of pregnancy.

Almost every part of a woman’s body will change during pregnancy, and if it’s your first time, these changes can seem a little overwhelming. Some things such as discharge during pregnancy can be worrying, but others are very normal. Here are some of the things that will happen to your body as the weeks and months progress.

Congestion

Because of a higher than normal blood volume you can start to suffer from nasal congestion and a runny nose. This is perfectly normal but can be a little annoying. Using a saline spray will help you to clear up the mucus and dry up the nasal passages.

Frequent Urination

Often the curse of pregnancy is the near constant need to go to the toilet. This is caused initially by a higher volume of blood through the kidneys. Later on, in pregnancy, the weight of the baby pressing down on the bladder can also have a similar effect. At this point, you may feel like you need to urinate all the time.

Heartburn

Another problem during pregnancy is heartburn and wind. This is most common during the later stages and can be triggered by almost anything. It’s the result of the baby squeezing your stomach upwards and the valve of the stomach becoming looser. This causes the stomach acid to go up into the esophagus.

Thankfully in recent years, heartburn remedies such as Tums and Rennies were deemed safe during pregnancy.

Shortness of Breath

Towards the end of the pregnancy, the same squashing that is causing the heartburn will also squeeze your diaphragm. This can lead to shortness of breath even if you are only doing very little. If this happens, it is good time to take things easy and avoid strenuous activities. Sometimes laying on your side can alleviate the feeling.

Discharge

One of the worries women have when they are pregnant is blood and discharge. It can be normal to have discharge during pregnancy, but as with anything else, if you think that something is wrong, you should consult with your doctor.

Blood again can be common in pregnancy, but it should be monitored by your doctor to make sure there is nothing amiss.

Aches and Pains

Aches and pains are an unfortunate problem and one that can happen throughout pregnancy. Not only are the tendons and ligaments stretching, but the extra pressure on the back can cause pain and in some cases lead to trapped nerves and sciatica.

These are some of the things that can cause problems during pregnancy. Others can be constipation, tender breasts, changes to teeth and nails becoming brittle.

Although all of these things could be deemed a burden, they are usually not harmful to the mother or the baby. However, it is important however to keep regular check-ups with your doctor.

This is a guest blog posting.