You expect your tummy to grow but it can be a shock to discover some of the strange things your body does when you’re pregnant — ranging from swelling extremities (my nose got bigger) to excess saliva. This guest post took me back!
Featured Guest Post
No matter if it’s baby number one or the last planned child in your family – every pregnancy is different and nothing can really prepare you for the changes your body can undergo during those nine months. This post aims to inform all you yummy mummies to be out there about a few of the most common physical changes you might see during those nine months.
Muscles and Joints
As your pregnancy develops the ligaments in your pelvis will loosen up; basically so that your uterus is enlarged in preparation for the arrival of your baby (1). This might mean your posture changes a little – for example you might experience backache.
Posture affects joints during pregnancy, especially in the lower back, hips, and knees. This is commonplace because your spine curves to balance out your enlarging uterus. Wear flat shoes whenever you can – if you’re really feeling the strain, orthotics can help correct body posture which could alleviate some of your back pain.
Feet
Sticking with feet, it’s really common for women’s feet and ankles to become swollen during pregnancy, increasing their size. Perhaps more dramatically though, is the change reported by a study published in the American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation that women’s feet not only grew during pregnancy, but that the arch of the foot flattened too – resulting in a permanent loss of arch height on the foot.
If you’ve noticed this change in your feet, you should consider investing in some Weil integrative footwear that feature built-in orthotic support to support the arch, and help realign your feet and ankles to their natural position. In the short run, plenty of rest and putting your feet up is also what the doctor ordered – which is easier said than done!
Breasts
During your first trimester, you’ll find that your breasts are tender and really sensitive to touch and, as the pregnancy goes on, they’ll continue to grow (2). Always make sure that you wear a supportive, comfortable bra and if your breasts start leaking, breast milk pads will become your new best friend!
Remember; if what you’re experiencing isn’t on here don’t panic! As I said before, each pregnancy is different so it’s always best to check with your GP about any change in your body that you’re slightly worried about.
Good luck!
Source
(1) http://www.merckmanuals.com
(2) http://www.healthywomen.org
