What changes in the body during pregnancy is a matter of great curiosity. Many women ask the question “how does pregnancy change my body?”. Let’s explain the changes in the body of pregnant women …
Changes that occur during pregnancy
Now that you are pregnant, your body will go through a number of changes to ensure the development of your baby. This is a brand new situation, which can sometimes be a bit strange and sometimes frightening. Many expectant mothers feel a great deal of stress and anxiety when they experience these changes. Knowing what to expect when you are pregnant can put your mind at ease. It helps you to know what to expect and to be aware of which symptoms to check for. For example, there are many different things that can happen when you are pregnant, such as vaginal infection, constipation during pregnancy, bleeding during pregnancy, pre-eclampsia . Below we have listed some of the conditions that pregnant women may face:
1. False labor pains and contractions
Your uterus will start to contract slightly after 7 weeks, but you will only feel these contractions after halfway through your pregnancy. The contraction lasts for about 30 seconds and may happen several times a day, once or twice an hour, or you may not even notice it. This is a kind of training that your body is doing to prepare for the big day. These contractions are usually irregular, unpredictable and you will not feel any discomfort as they occur. During your pregnancy, these contractions can become more intense and sometimes even painful. When this happens, you may think that these contractions are real. But if they ease, no matter how painful they are, they are probably false labor pains. You can see these contractions as an opportunity to practice the breathing exercises you learned before the birth.Â
See also the Gestational Week Calculation Chart!
2. Cotton Infection
Vaginal infections are very common during pregnancy and are the most common of all thrush infections. This infection iscaused by a fungus calledcandida albicans , which we all carry in our bodies. If your vaginal discharge is white, creamy and thick; if it smells different; if you feel itching and pain; if it hurts during intercourse; or if it feels like your vaginal area is being pinched when you urinate, you may be dealing with thrush. You can prevent thrush by wearing cotton underwear, and some women say that not using perfumed bath products also works to prevent thrush. If you are experiencing thrush, report it to your midwife or doctor who will be able to advise you on the best treatment for your pregnancy.
3.Digestive Power
At a certain point in a woman’s pregnancy, digestion may be difficult. You may feel extremely full, or you may feel nauseous or need to pass gas even though you are hungry. Digestive difficulties during pregnancy are usually caused by the hormone progesterone, which is an irritating hormone that relaxes all the muscles in the body, including the stomach muscles. Digestive difficulties in the later stages of pregnancy can occur as a result of the growing uterus pressing on your stomach. You can make some specific changes to your diet and lifestyle to relieve the discomfort caused by digestive upset.
4. Back Pain During Pregnancy
This is very common during pregnancy, with more than half of all expectant mothers experiencing back pain. One of the most important reasons for back pain during pregnancy isthat the weight gained, especially in the belly area, changes the center of gravity of your body. For this reason , diet or nutrition plans can be worked on during pregnancy under the supervision of a physician .
Another cause of back pain is a pregnancy hormone called relaxin, which makes room for the baby by relaxing the ligaments in your body and helping your pelvis to expand. This hormone does all this while also relaxing the ligaments in the spine that allow your back muscles to overwork.
What to do to reduce back pain during pregnancy:
- Not lifting heavy objects to prevent back pain
- wearing flat shoes
- leaning back and sitting in an upright position
- Doing pregnancy exercises,
- it is important to make sure that you are adequately listened to.
5.Failure in Pregnancy
Because of the physiological changes taking place in your body, one of which is an increase in the rate of breathing (did you know that you take in 0-40 more air than you normally do), you will be prone to hiccups, especially in the first trimester of your pregnancy.
6. Cancer during pregnancy
Most patients who experience anemia during pregnancy do so because of iron deficiency. This iron deficiency is caused either by dietary deficiencies, low iron stores from previous pregnancies or high levels of blood lost during the previous menstrual period. Other forms of anemia are folic acid deficiency anemia and vitamin B12 deficiency. During your pregnancy, your midwife or nurse will check whether you are anemic and recommend dietary changes or iron tablets.
7. Constipation during pregnancy
Constipation is also a symptom that can be caused by hormonal changes in your body or by the iron tablets you take for anemia. There are several things that can prevent and reduce constipation during pregnancy:Â
- change dietary patterns
- eating foods high in fiber
- exercise
- Taking a light shower
8.Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids, also known as hemorrhoids, is a condition that affects almost half of pregnant women, especially in the middle of the second and third trimester of pregnancy. The veins in the rectal wall stretch or bulge due to the uterus, which starts to grow at 25 weeks of pregnancy, causing itching. Blood flow to the pelvic area also increases during pregnancy. Hemorrhoids can also occur after childbirth due to straining during labor.Â
There are many things you can do to prevent and get rid of hemorrhoids during pregnancy: * pay attention to posture and sitting posture,Â
- doing pelvic floor exercises
- keep moving and avoid sitting in one place for long periods of time
- taking frequent warm prayers and keeping the area clean (it is not recommended to stay in a hot bath for a long time during pregnancy)
- sleeping by turning to one side can be an example of these movements
- There are also medical treatments for hemorrhoids that your doctor or nurse may recommend.
9.Pre-eclampsia in Pregnancy
This condition affects up to 5% of pregnant women and can be observed in the second half of pregnancy. Initial symptoms include high blood pressure and the presence of protein in the urine sample taken by your nurse or doctor during prenatal check-ups. Advanced symptoms may include lightning in the hands, feet, face, ankle and vision disturbances such as seeing stars. If you feel you have any of these symptoms, it is very important to seek medical advice immediately. This condition can also lead to complications and requires treatment.
10.PKD â Pubic Bone Dysfunction
This is caused by the movement of your pelvic joints at any time during pregnancy or after childbirth. The most common symptoms are pain in the pubic area and groin, but you may also experience back pain, buttock pain, tingling and throbbing in the pubic area, and pain in the inner part of your thigh. A number of treatments will help you, including
- pelvic support belt will relieve your pain, acupuncture
- abdominal and pelvic floor exercises
- osteopathy and chiropractic treatment by a physician experienced in treating pregnant women are among the solutions to this condition
If you think you have PKD, you can talk to your doctor, who can refer you to a physiotherapist to treat the condition and give you wider advice. This condition usually resolves on its own after childbirth.
11. Hip pain in pregnant women
During pregnancy, it is inevitable that you will experience hip pain as your pelvic joints become so dislocated that they cause you pain and discomfort, and this can also turn into Pubic Bone Dysfunction. To summarize, the symphysis pubis is an immovable joint that connects the two parts of your pelvis. This joint is reinforced with strong flexible tissues (connective tissue). During pregnancy,the hormone progesterone acts as a muscle relaxant and relaxes the symphysis pubis, allowing it to move as you walk.
Soreness and pain in the pubic area and groin are the most common symptoms and have the following manifestations:
- Back pain, pelvic girdle and buttock pain.
- Feeling throbbing and clicking noises in the pubic area.
- Reduced pain in your thigh or between your legs.
- More pain at night â getting up in the middle of the night to go to the toilet can be especially painful.
The following treatments are recommended to reduce pain in the upper part:
- Exercise â Focus especially on your chest and pelvic floor muscle exercises. These exercises will strengthen your back and pelvis.
- You should also make plans before the baby is born on how to make the birth of your baby easier and how to complete your daily activities painlessly. Your nurse can help you write a birth plan and should also pay attention to the symptoms of SPD.
- Acupuncture can help you and is completely safe during pregnancy.
- Osteopathy and chiropractic treatment can help you, but you should seek support from registered and experienced specialists.
- A pelvic support belt will relieve your pain immediately.
Other applications you might consider trying:
- To do pelvic floor and abdominal exercises during pregnancy ; get on your hands and knees, keep your back straight. Inhale and then exhale, tighten your pelvic floor muscles and push your navel outwards. Hold this contraction and inhalation for 5 to 10 seconds. Slowly relax your muscles and end your exercise.
- Try not to spread your feet apart when your back is on the floor. Be careful when getting in and out of bed, car, bathroom. If you are lying down, pull your knees up as far as you can and stop your pelvis from moving so you can use your legs better. If you are sitting, try supporting your back and stabilizing your chest before moving your foot.
- Do not push on your pain. If a movement hurts, stop doing it.
- Move little by little, often. You may not feel the effects of what you do until later in the day or when you go to bed.
- Rest regularly by sitting ona birth ball or leaning on your hands and knees. These movements help to take your baby’s weight off the pelvis and carry it in a stable position.
- Avoid heavy lifting or pushing.
- Climb the stairs one at a time.
- If you are swimming, do not swim dry and watch your other ears. You may feel that swimming while you are in the water reduces your pain, but it may make you feel worse when you come out.
- Sit down while getting dressed.
Anxiety during Pregnancy!
Some aches, pains, cramps and even bleeding during pregnancy can be normal. However, in some cases it is absolutely necessary to consult a health professional and ask for a check-up. Some of these can be summarized as follows:
- If your water is running
- If you have bloody fluid coming from your vagina
- If you have pain or cramps in your lower back
- If you feel pressure in the pelvis
- If you feel that your baby’s movement has slowed down or stopped
- If you are bleeding, call your doctor or midwife or go to the nearest health center