For women around the globe, giving birth is a truly life-changing experience. However, pregnancy has a profound effect on your body well before you give birth, and even afterward your body still presents all sorts of challenges.
Many questions hang in the balance for any expecting mother, the type only other mothers can answer. One of the most common questions is about changes to the body throughout and after pregnancy.
If you’re expecting a new bundle of joy, this article is for you. We’re going to go over common body changes that occur during and after pregnancy.
1. Hair and Skin
During pregnancy, hair and skin go through a lot of changes. The increased hormones can cause the skin to become more oily and the hair to become thicker and grow faster. Some women get acne and stretch marks.
The skin can become more sensitive and dry. After pregnancy, the skin usually goes back to normal, but the hair might continue to be thicker and grow faster. Don’t worry as getting a stretch mark removal comes in handy these days.
2. Weight Gain
Pregnancy weight gain is a normal and necessary process for the development of a healthy baby. However, many women are concerned about the amount of weight they gain and the impact it has on their bodies.
Your hips and waist may widen as your body prepares for childbirth. After pregnancy, the amount of weight you lose will depend on factors such as how much weight you gained during pregnancy, your diet, and your exercise routine.
3. Breast Changes
Your breasts will go through a lot of changes during your pregnancy as your body prepares to produce milk for your baby. For some women, their breasts will become larger and more tender.
You may notice more veins in your breasts and your nipples may become more sensitive. After you have your baby, your milk will come in and your breasts will get even larger. Once your milk supply is established, your breasts will probably return to about the same size they were before you were pregnant.
4. Mental Health
Your body changes a lot during and after pregnancy. Your mental health can also be affected. During pregnancy, you may have mood swings and feel more anxious or depressed.
After pregnancy, you may feel overwhelmed, and tired, and have trouble bonding with your baby. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, talk to your doctor. There are treatments and support available to help you through this time.
5. Pelvic Health
One of the changes that can occur is in your pelvic floor muscles. They stretch and loosen during pregnancy and childbirth. This can cause the pelvic floor to become weak and unable to support the weight of the uterus and baby.
This can lead to problems such as incontinence and prolapse. To help prevent these problems, do pelvic floor exercises (Kegels) regularly during and after pregnancy.
What Body Changes Women Go Through
There are many ways your body changes during and after pregnancy. Some of these changes are positive, such as an increase in breast size or a decrease in morning sickness. Other changes, such as stretch marks or a more difficult time losing weight, are less positive but still normal.
The best thing you can do for your body during and after pregnancy is to listen to it and give it the care it needs. If you have any concerns, talk to your doctor immediately.
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