There are some clear signs of pregnancy: morning sickness, food cravings, mood swings, and aches or pains. Some women may experience these symptoms more or less than others, and your doctor can inform you more during your first prenatal visit. However, there are other ways that your body can react to pregnancy that can be unpredictable.

No matter how much you prepare for the next nine months, perhaps even preparing years ahead if you’ve decided to take the IVF route, for example, you may experience unexpected challenges and changes during your pregnancy. It is important to plan and mentally prepare for all of the things you may face by learning about the common symptoms and less common pregnancy complications.

Skin changes

Pregnancy hormones affect several different areas of your body, including your skin. The “pregnancy glow” is just one of the noticeable effects. To accommodate the baby, pregnant women experience an increased blood volume to send to the uterus and other organs. It increases oil gland secretion, which in turn makes your skin seem to glow.

Some women can develop yellowish or brownish patches on their faces, which is called chloasma. Others may also see a dark line develop on their lower abdomen, called the linea nigra. Darkening of skin, or hyperpigmentation, is common during pregnancy because hormones cause the body to produce more pigment. This pigment may not be even, however, so darkened skin may appear blotchy.

Since the skin produces more oil, acne is another common effect during pregnancy. Any existing freckles or moles may also get darker and more prominent. However, many of these skin changes are temporary and should return to normal after giving birth.

As your skin stretches, you may also experience itchy or dry skin. You can talk to your doctor about creams that can help prevent stretch marks and soothe your itching or flaking skin.

Looser joints

During pregnancy, the ovary and placenta produce relaxin, a hormone believed to help prepare the cervix for birth. Relaxin makes the ligaments in your body loosen, especially the joints in your pelvis. It can also affect your lower back and knees, putting you at a greater risk for injury.

It is important to keep yourself from overstretching or straining your ligaments. Knowing cpr in pregnancy can also be helpful in the event of any accidents.

Varicose veins and haemorrhoids

Haemorrhoids are commonly experienced during pregnancy. They are varicose veins in the rectum that enlarge into grape-like clusters due to the increase in your blood volume. They can be painful and itch, sting, or bleed during or after any bowel movement.

Constipation is another effect that pregnancy can cause due to hormones causing your gastrointestinal tract to slow the passing of food. It can also cause haemorrhoids as you strain, enlarging the veins in your rectum even more.

To prevent haemorrhoids and pregnancy constipation, eat lots of fibre and drink plenty of liquids. Exercising regularly can also help support healthy bowel movements. Some ointments can help haemorrhoids shrink as well, which your doctor can recommend.

Varicose veins can also be seen in the legs and genital area when you are pregnant. They often go away after pregnancy, but you can take preventative measures against them by avoiding sitting or standing for long periods, wearing loose clothing, and raising your feet when you sit. This will allow your blood to flow better rather than pooling into enlarged veins.

Gestational diabetes

During pregnancy, women who did not have diabetes before may develop gestational diabetes while carrying a baby. This happens when your pregnancy hormones cause the body to either produce less insulin, which manages the glucose in your blood, or use it abnormally. This causes glucose to build up in your bloodstream, causing high blood sugar.

If you experience gestational diabetes, your healthcare provider can outline a treatment plan for you to follow. It is vital to control your blood sugar levels to avoid high blood pressure and the risk of cesarean delivery.

Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is an effect that can happen due to a sudden spike in blood pressure. This increase in blood pressure reduces the blood supply to the fetus, providing fewer nutrients and oxygen. The cause of preeclampsia is unknown, but certain factors cause some women to be at a higher risk.

These factors include:

• First pregnancy
• Previous experience with preeclampsia in pregnancy
• Existing medical conditions
• Obesity
• Carrying two or more fetuses
• Older than 35 years of age

You can decrease your risk by seeking regular prenatal care early on in your pregnancy.

Iron deficiency

Pregnant women require more iron in their blood to meet the increase of blood in their system. Anaemia due to iron deficiency during pregnancy is somewhat common and is associated with low birth weight and preterm birth, or labour that begins before 37 weeks.

Symptoms that warn of iron deficiency include feeling fatigued, becoming pale, and experiencing shortness of breath. Prenatal vitamins often include iron, but if you are experiencing anaemia because of iron deficiency, your healthcare provider may recommend iron supplements.

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