Pregnancy And The Impact On Your Physical Health

The changes you experience in pregnancy can influence your health

The female body can adapt to accommodate a developing baby, go through the labour process and deliver him or her into the world. Over the period of 280 days – calculated from the start of your last menstrual period – your little one grows from a tiny embryo to a full-term baby.

Physical Changes

Other changes in pregnancy may delight or surprise you or cause you concern or discomfort. They may be confined to the ten-month pregnancy period, or the impact may continue in the months thereafter. Some changes may be permanent.

Let’s take a look at some important ways the body adapts and what this means for your physical health.

Your breasts increase in size

For some women, the breasts may increase by a cup size or more but for others, there isn’t much of a change. Either is normal and has no bearing on the quality of your milk. Nipples may also increase in size and the areola (the area around the nipple) can darken. For some women the increase in breast size is thrilling, while others may struggle with their changing shape. If your breasts have increased considerably, the extra weight can put strain on your shoulders and back.

Tip: Purchase a maternity bra as soon as you notice a change in your breasts. Maternity bras are designed to provide extra support with wider straps and the soft cups are comfortable for sensitive breasts. Purchase a new size as your breasts grow.

You may forget things

Some women experience a slight decrease in cognitive functioning (mental processing). It’s commonly known as pregnancy brain and it’s real and not your imagination. Healthcare providers believe it is caused by a combination of factors including hormones and sleep issues. Research indicates that slight changes in brain structure (a loss of grey matter) occur, to allow you to bond with and care for your baby after the birth. There’s nothing to worry about – it isn’t permanent. Studies show that restoration occurs within two years. To learn more about the mental impact of pregnancy, see the article Pregnancy and the Impact on Your Mental Health in this month’s e-newsletter.

You may experience blurry vision

The cornea, the clear, outer layer of the eye, may thicken due to water retention and this can cause a slight blurriness in your vision. Hormone changes can also play a role. Your vision should return to normal after the birth, but some women may need a prescription change for glasses or contacts.

Tip: If you experience prolonged blurry or double vision or flashing lights, contact your healthcare provider immediately. These may be symptoms of preeclampsia, a serious complication in pregnancy characterised by high blood pressure and protein in the urine.

Your heart and lung functions change

Your heart copes with an increase in blood volume (40 to 50%), causing it to beat faster per minute (10 to 20 beats extra) to move blood through the body. Early in pregnancy, an increase in progesterone (a hormone) causes you to take more breaths – more air inhaled and more air exhaled. This may feel like breathlessness but it usually settles as your body adjusts to the hormones and the increased oxygen requirements for your baby. Later in pregnancy, you may experience shortness of breath as your growing uterus shifts up your diaphragm, the flat muscle under the ribs that is used for breathing. This can make it difficult for your lungs to expand. Shortness of breath usually eases up in the last few weeks of pregnancy when your baby descends into the pelvis in preparation for birth.

Tip: Some women experience heart palpitations or an increased heart rate that you notice – like a pounding or a jolting in the chest. These can be normal in pregnancy and not harmful, or they may be related to an underlying heart condition, so do let your healthcare provider know, so further tests can be done, if warranted.

Your uterus expands – a lot!

Before pregnancy, your uterus is about the size of a pear, increasing to that of a watermelon or bigger when your baby reaches term. It takes about six to eight weeks after the birth for it to return to about it’s normal size pre-pregnancy.

Tip: Heartburn, a burning sensation, in the middle of the chest, is a common pregnancy complaint in the second to third trimesters. It’s caused by hormone changes and the larger uterus pressing on your stomach, causing acids from the stomach to rise into the oesophagus (food pipe). Ask your healthcare provider to prescribe a safe antacid. For extra relief, eat your last meal about two hours before bed and prop yourself up with pillows to stay more upright.

Your vagina changes

Some women notice that the skin around the labia (vaginal lips) and vagina can take on a purple-blue hue, caused by increased blood flow. You may also notice some swelling down there. After the birth, the colour should revert to its normal tone. And the good news? The increased blood supply can mean that you may be more easily aroused. Some women experience more intensive orgasms during sex, while others don’t notice a change. Both are considered normal.

Tip: If you experience burning when you urinate or itching around your vagina, let your healthcare provider know. You may have a urinary tract infection (UTI) or thrush (a yeast infection). Both are common in pregnancy and can be treated.

Your digestive system slows

You need to eat a balanced diet throughout your pregnancy, to ensure that your baby receives the nutrients they need for growth and development. Hormones slow digestion in the stomach and small and large intestine. This is to increase the amount of nutrient absorption from the food you eat. This slowing of the digestive process can cause symptoms like constipation and gas.

Tip: To help prevent constipation, increase your daily fibre intake by adding extra whole grains, vegetables, beans and pulses like peas, beans and lentils to your diet. Getting some exercise and drinking water can also help to keep you regular.

Your joints and ligaments loosen

The hormones relaxin and progesterone help to loosen ligaments and joints and relax the muscles in preparation for labour and delivery. All joint and ligaments can be affected, and this may cause increased pain and discomfort, especially in the mid to lower back, for expectant moms.

Tip: The increasing weight of the uterus can pull your spine forward and this puts additional strain on your back muscles. Good posture when sitting or standing can help to prevent muscle fatigue and pain. Don’t lift or move heavy objects in pregnancy.

After your baby’s birth your body needs time to recover. A number of expectant moms feel stronger within six months, but this also depends on your pregnancy, labour and birth experience. Healthcare providers have determined that the body needs at least 18 months to fully recover and be ready for a subsequent pregnancy, if you plan to have another baby.

Every woman is an individual – so give your body the time it needs to heal. If anything concerns you, speak to your healthcare provider or midwife.

For a holistic view on the changes experienced during pregnancy, read our article on the impact pregnancy has on your mental health.

 Resources:  https://www.marchofdimes.org/; https://www.medicinenet.com/; https://www.parents.com/https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/; https://www.healthline.com/’ https://www.bones.nih.gov/https://my.clevelandclinic.org/; https://www.babycenter.com/; https://www.whattoexpect.com/; https://www.babycenter.com/; https://www.mother.ly/