Being pregnant brings lots of excitement, anticipation, and joy but can also result in some annoying but minor issues you may need to deal with. You may notice changes in your body beyond the more obvious bump. And not all of them are flattering! If you’re wondering whether it’s just you - rest assured it isn’t. The good news is some of these niggles will go away later in your pregnancy, others after your baby arrives.
These are some of the most common problems or discomforts of pregnancy that you may find yourself dealing with soon after you develop those early symptoms of pregnancy as well as in later trimesters.
Constipation
Being constipated is an uncomfortable thing to discuss and equally uncomfortable to experience. This is a fairly common problem for pregnant women. If you’re passing less than 3 bowel movements a week, you could consider asking your doctor for stool softeners if you’re finding it difficult to pass a motion. In the meantime, try and drink plenty of water and consume more fiber from fruit and vegetables as well as whole grains and seeds/nuts. A little physical activity like a daily walk can also help things along.
Needing to Pee More
As your uterus grows to accommodate your baby, this puts pressure on your bladder making you feel the urge to urinate more often. Don’t hold back on drinking water to combat this - you need the hydration now more than ever. Closer to your due date, you may also find you accidentally pee a little when you cough or sneeze or even when you laugh. This is because your pelvic floor muscles relax in preparation for your baby’s arrival.
Skin Problems: Acne, Pigmentation, and Stretch Marks
With your hormones raging it’s almost like being a teen all over again - so if acne strikes during your pregnancy, you know what’s to blame. Use gentle cleansers on your face and rest assured the problem will pass.
You may notice skin pigmentation in the thigh, genital region, and neck area. The line running from your belly to your pubic bone may darken while you’re pregnant - this is called the linea nigra and is normal in pregnancy.
Some women experience pigmentation or dark patches on the face called chloasma, these should also fade after delivery. And of course, there are the much talked about stretch marks. Thankfully, for this one there’s an easy solution - use a good moisturizing anti-stretch mark cream like Mamaxpert Stretch Marks Cream to help fade the lines and keep your skin hydrated throughout pregnancy and after. It’ll help keep your skin looking supple and glowing too!
Feeling Hot
Hormonal changes and increased blood supply to your skin can make you feel slightly flushed or hot when pregnant. Stick to loose comfortable cotton clothing and keep the room cool and well ventilated to help ease discomfort.
Swollen/Sore Gums
Gums tend to swell up or bleed when there’s a lot of plaque build-up. With the hormonal changes you experience with pregnancy, you're more prone to plaque formation and problems like sore gums, swollen gums, bleeding gums, and gum disease (gingivitis). A dentist can help easily treat the problem.
Discover more about pregnancy and find solutions, tips, and more for mums-to-be and new mothers on the Mamaxpert blog. Not sure if you’re pregnant? Take the first step and test at home with the accurate and convenient Mamaxpert Rapid Pregnancy Detection Kit.