How Much Do Women's Bodies Change During Pregnancy?

Women’s bodies change during pregnancy in several ways, starting with their belly, which grows, and ending with their brain, as pregnancy advances.

Pregnancy causes functional, anatomical and physiological changes. Some are made in order to help the body adapt to a new state and to meet the needs of the fetus. Others are simply direct consequences of the pregnancy process.

In this article we will talk about the main ways in which women’s bodies change during pregnancy.

Variation in center of gravity

During pregnancy, especially in the third trimester when the belly is at its largest, pregnant women incline their head and back backwards in order to balance their weight.

Due to this posture and the increase in weight, pregnant women walk at a slower pace. This posture will be maintained until they give birth.

Weight Gain

The increase in body weight is completely normal during pregnancy. It is important to gain the right amount of weight: if a woman starts to lose weight it could me that the foetus isn’t growing. Exaggerated increase or decrease in weight can be a problem.

Discomforts and illnesses

Some women suffer from discomforts from the start of their pregnancies. The most common discomforts include:

• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Lower belly pain
• Breast pain or inflammation

As the weeks go on, these discomforts can increase, disappear or be replaced by:

• Swelling of the hands, legs and feet
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Constipation
• Heartburn
• Muscle cramps
• Lumbar pain

There are also conditions that are directly or indirectly related with pregnancy:

• Urinary tract infections
• Vaginal Infections
• Gestational diabetes
• Preeclampsia
• Threat of miscarriage

Some women are afflicted by these and other conditions while others carry their pregnancies without any discomforts, eventually giving birth without any complaints.

Melasma

Melasma is the dark pigmentation that usually appears on the face of pregnant women. It appears on the forehead, around the lips, and on the cheeks and nose.

In some women, after giving birth the melasma clears up after a few months. In others it stays while in others it disappears completely.

Disorientation

Disorientation or lack of conentraction is another common symptom that pregnant women experience.

It is related to the hormonal and neuronal activity of pregnant women. In the second and third trimester, they focus on the “maintenance and development” of the new human being that they carry.

All of their attention is directed at anything and everything that has to do with their pregnancy, baby, birth and raising of the child.

Breast augmentation

Breast inflammation, the secretion of white liquid in one moment or another. The slight pains that appear and disappears. The increase of sensibility… all of these are frequent signs that childbirth approaches.

The increase in breast size means that they’re preparing to start feeding the child that is about to be born.

Displacement of certain organs

The displacement of certain organs is normal during pregnancy. The displacement of these organs is essential for the fetus to have enough space to grow.

As the weeks go on, the pregnant woman’s uterus increases in size. This increase causes some organs to move upwards.

The displacement of organs found in the abdominal cavity doesn’t pose any health problems. Within a few weeks of delivery, all the organs will return to their place of origin.

Clumsiness

Clumsiness is another common symptom of pregnancy.

If you were previously a delicate and careful woman, you might notice that objects simply fall out of your hands. You knock over and break things as you walk around. The factors that cause this clumsiness are the following:

• Swelling of the hands and the relaxation of joints. When this occurs it makes it harder for you to notice if you’re holding an object properly.
• Lack of concentration
• Little perception for your new body weight

As you may have already noticed, the body of a pregnant woman goes through many changes. Some of them are very annoying, others are imperceptible.

Whether your pregnancy is affected by one or the other, pregnancy is still a transcendental and magical change that cancels everything else out. The change that takes you from being a woman to being a mother.

When you first hold your newborn in your arms, you will see that what I say is true.