Congratulations on your pregnancy! As you embark on this exciting journey, it’s important to be aware of the physical changes that may occur throughout the course of your pregnancy.
One of the first signs that you are pregnant is a missed period. This can be accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea, fatigue, and breast tenderness. These early signs usually start around 6-8 weeks into your pregnancy and will continue until delivery.
As your body adjusts to carrying a baby, you may experience some common bodily changes including weight gain, an increase in abdominal size due to the growing uterus, backaches or pelvic pain from increased pressure on joints and ligaments caused by hormonal shifts during pregnancy. You may also notice skin discoloration (known as “the mask of pregnancy”) or stretch marks due to rapid growth in certain areas like breasts and abdomen.
Your hair texture might change too. Many women find their hair becomes thicker during their pregnancies while others report thinning hair postpartum. Your nails might become stronger but more brittle at times so make sure to take extra care when trimming them down.
Additionally, you could experience swelling in hands and feet which is normal but should still be monitored closely for any sudden increases or decreases in size/shape over time.
Finally, don’t forget about all those wonderful hormones coursing through your body! They can cause mood swings ranging from elation one minute to tears the next. Just remember these feelings are completely natural so try not to worry too much if they come up unexpectedly.
Overall, every woman’s experience with her changing body during pregnancy is unique. However, these tips should help give you an idea of what kind of changes you can expect along this amazing journey ahead! If anything seems out of the ordinary or concerning, please contact your healthcare provider right away for further advice & support. After all, they’re there for you.
Best wishes for a healthy & happy nine months!