Becoming a mother is a life-changing experience that can be both exciting and overwhelming. From the moment a woman learns she is pregnant, she may experience a range of emotions, from joy and excitement to anxiety and fear. As the pregnancy progresses, she may feel a deep connection with the growing baby and experience physical and emotional changes in her body.
Pregnancy is a remarkable journey that involves significant changes in a woman’s body. The process of pregnancy lasts for about 40 weeks, which is divided into three trimesters. During this time, a woman’s body undergoes significant changes to accommodate the growing fetus and prepare for childbirth.
Dr Suneet Kaur Malhotra, Consultant, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Max Super Specialty Hospital, Shalimar Bagh explains how a woman’s body changes during pregnancy.
Here are 4 ways this happens in the mother’s body during pregnancy
1. Weight gain
Weight gain in pregnancy varies from woman to woman. The weight of most pregnant women increases between 11 to 16 kg during pregnancy.
Most of the weight gain is due to the placenta and amniotic fluid (the fluid that surrounds the baby). But it is also caused by an increase in body fat and fluid retention. Fat is mostly stored on the thighs, abdomen and buttocks.
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2. Change in physical form
1) Increase in size of abdomenDue to the increase in the size of the uterus and the baby, the size of the abdomen also increases.
2) Change in curvature of the spine: Previous studies have shown that there is an increase in lumbar lordosis during pregnancy.
a) Change in gait: A wobbly gait is seen in the late stages of pregnancy. Low back pain is caused by changes in the curvature of the spine and laxity of the ligaments of the pelvis and spine.
3) Breast: The breasts begin preparing for lactation (breastfeeding) from early pregnancy. The breasts enlarge and become tender. The increase in size is due to enlargement of the glands and deposition of fat. The nipples become larger and more pigmented. In some women, milk secretion may start from the very beginning of pregnancy.
4) Feet and Ankles: They swell due to fluid retention due to hormonal changes. Excess water collects in the lower parts of the body.
3. Skin:
1) stretch marks: They usually appear on the thighs, buttocks, abdomen and breasts in the second half of pregnancy. These marks are caused by stretching of the skin.
2) pigmentation (darkness)Pigmentation or darkening of the skin, especially on the nipples, face, navel, vulva and midline of the abdomen.
3) mild hirsutism: In this, excessive body hair develops on the face and extremities (legs and arms).
4) varicose veins: Varicose veins can be seen in the vulva, perineum and legs.
4. Organ System:
During pregnancy and delivery, all the body’s organ systems undergo profound adaptations or changes to support the baby and the body.
1) Gastrointestinal System: Stomach emptying is delayed, and the cardiac sphincter is relaxing, so the result is increased reflex, heartburn, fullness, and constipation. Hemorrhoids are common.
2) urinary systemFrequent urination: The increase in the frequency of urination is due to the pressure of the uterus.
3) Leg cramps are common: These are due to excessive weight gain during pregnancy, constriction of blood vessels in the legs, magnesium, calcium deficiency and fatigue due to hormonal changes.
All these physiological changes that occur in a women’s body during pregnancy, it takes 6 weeks to 12 weeks after delivery to return to the pre-pregnancy state.