When you are pregnant, your body goes through many changes. Some of them are not comfortable. But most of them are normal. You do not need medicine or treatment. It’s also nice to know that not all women have ALL of the problems we talk about here.
Everyone expects pregnancy to bring an expanding waistline. But many women are surprised by the other body changes that pop up. Get the low-down on stretch marks, weight gain, heartburn and other "joys" of pregnancy. Find out what you can do to feel better.
Pregnancy symptoms are different for everyone, and can vary from month to month and even from pregnancy to pregnancy. Find out what to expect, from the earliest pregnancy symptoms to the wooziness of morning sickness to the aches and pains of your third trimester. We'll help you understand what's normal and what's not, and when you really should call your doctor.
In general, if you eat healthy food and stay active you will
be more comfortable during these nine months.
Flatulence (Gas)
What causes it? You can have gas at any time while you are
pregnant. It happens because your digestive system slows down when you are
pregnant. This gives gas more time to form. It is also caused by the pressure
of your uterus on your stomach and intestines.
What can I do about it?
• Notice which foods you ate just before you felt the gas
pains. Try to eat only small amounts of foods that give you gas. Many kinds of
food can cause gas. They are different for everyone.
• Try not to be constipated. Follow the advice in the
section on constipation.
• Stay active.
What if it does not help?
• Gas may annoy you. In most cases, it is not a serious
problem.
• If you have a lot of pain from gas, talk to your doctor.
Wetness in your vagina
What causes it?
When you are pregnant, it is normal to have thinner, milky
fluid coming out of your vagina. Sometimes there can be a lot of this wetness.
As long as the fluid is thin and milky, it is normal and you do not need to worry.
If the wetness makes you itchy, smells bad or feels like it is burning, you may
have an infection. If this happens, contact your doctor.
What can I do about it?
• Keep the area clean and dry.
• If the wetness is heavy, try wearing a panty liner.
• Do not douche.
Breast Changes
What causes breasts to change?
Most breasts start to change early in pregnancy and continue
to change until the baby’s birth. Your breasts may get larger. You may be able
to see the veins in your breasts, and you may notice a tingle in your nipples.
The darker skin around your nipples (the areolas) may get larger and darker,
and the little bumps on them stand up more. Later in your pregnancy you may
notice a sticky, yellow fluid leaking from your breasts. This is colostrum, the
fluid your body makes before it starts to make breast milk. All of these
changes are your body’s way to get ready to produce milk for breastfeeding.
What can I do about it?
Breast changes are a normal part of pregnancy. If your
breasts are tender or uncomfortable, wearing a support bra can help. A good bra
is also important when you are doing exercise or being active. Some women also
wear a bra at night because it feels comfortable.
