6. Hair and Nails
Many women have changes in hair texture and growth during pregnancy. Hormones can
make your hair grow faster and fall out less. But these hair changes usually aren't
permanent. Many women lose some hair in the postpartum period or after they stop breastfeeding.
Some women find that they grow hair in unwanted places, such as on the face or
belly or around the nipples. Changes in hair texture can make hair drier or oilier.
Some women even find their hair changing color.
Nails, like hair, can change during pregnancy. Extra hormones can make them grow
faster and become stronger. Some women, though, find that their nails split and break
more easily during pregnancy. Like the changes in hair, nail changes aren't permanent.
If your nails split and tear more easily when you're pregnant, keep them trimmed and
avoid the chemicals in nail polish and nail polish remover.
7. Shoe Size
Even though you can't fit into any of your pre-pregnancy clothes, you still have
your shoes, right? Maybe — but maybe not. Extra fluid in their pregnant bodies mean
that many women have swollen feet and need to wear a larger shoe size. Wearing slip-on
shoes in a larger size can be more comfortable, especially in the summer months.
8. Joint Mobility
During pregnancy, your body makes the hormone relaxin, which is believed to help
prepare the pubic area and the cervix for the birth. Relaxin loosens the ligaments
in your body, making you less stable and more at risk for injury. It's easy to overstretch
or strain yourself, especially the joints in your pelvis, lower back, and knees. When
exercising
or lifting objects, go slowly and avoid sudden, jerking movements.
9. Varicose Veins, Hemorrhoids, and Constipation
Varicose veins, usually found in the legs and genital area, happen when blood pools
in veins enlarged by pregnancy hormones. Varicose veins often go away after pregnancy.
To help prevent them:
- avoid standing or sitting for long periods
- wear loose-fitting clothing
- wear support hose
- raise your feet when you sit
Hemorrhoids — varicose veins in the rectum — are common during pregnancy as
well. Your blood volume has increased and your uterus puts pressure on your pelvis.
So the veins in your rectum may enlarge into grape-like clusters. Hemorrhoids can
be very painful, and can bleed, itch, or sting, especially during or after a bowel
movement (BM).
Constipation is another common pregnancy woe. It happens because pregnancy hormones
slow the passing of food through the gastrointestinal tract. During the later stages
of pregnancy, your uterus may push against your large intestine, making it hard for
you to have a BM. And constipation can contribute to hemorrhoids because straining
to go may enlarge the veins of the rectum.
The best way to deal with constipation and hemorrhoids is to prevent them. Eating
a fiber-rich diet, drinking plenty of liquids daily, and exercising regularly can
help keep BMs regular. Stool softeners (not laxatives) may also help. If you do have
hemorrhoids, talk to your health care provider about a cream or ointment that can
shrink them.
10. Things That Come Out of Your Body During Labor
So you've survived the mood swings and the hemorrhoids, and you think your surprises
are over. But the day you give birth will probably hold the biggest surprises of all.
During pregnancy, fluid surrounds your baby in the amniotic sac. This sac breaks
(or "ruptures") at the start of or during labor — a moment usually referred
to as your water breaking. For most women in labor, contractions start before their
water breaks. Sometimes the doctor has to rupture the amniotic sac (if the cervix
is already dilated).
How much water can you expect? For a full-term baby, there are about 2 to 3 cups
of amniotic fluid. Some women may feel an intense urge to pee that leads to a gush
of fluid when their water breaks. Others may only feel a trickling down their leg
because the baby's head acts like a stopper to prevent most of the fluid from leaking
out.
Amniotic fluid is generally sweet-smelling and pale or colorless. It's replaced
by your body every 3 hours, so don't be surprised if you continue to leak fluid, about
a cup an hour, until delivery.
Other, unexpected things may come out of your body during labor. Some women have
nausea and vomiting. Others have diarrhea before or during labor, and passing gas
is also common. During the pushing phase of labor, you may lose control of your bladder
or bowels.
A birth plan can
help communicate your wishes to your health care providers about how to handle these
and other aspects of labor and delivery.
Lots of surprises are in store for you when you're pregnant — but none sweeter
than the way you'll feel once your newborn is in your arms!