Pregnancy (cont.)
What are the changes that happen to a
woman's body during the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd trimester of her pregnancy?
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.
Body aches
During pregnancy, you might have:
As your uterus expands,
you may feel aches and pains in the back, abdomen, groin area, and thighs.
Many women also have backaches and aching near the pelvic bone due the
pressure of the baby's head, increased weight, and loosening joints. Some
pregnant women complain of pain that runs from the lower back, down the
back of one leg, to the knee or foot. This is called sciatica
(SYE-AT-ick-uh).
It is thought to occur when the uterus puts pressure on the sciatic nerve.
What might help:
- Lie down.
- Rest.
- Apply heat.
Call the doctor if:
The pain does not get better.
Breast changes
During pregnancy, you might have:
A woman's breasts increase in size and fullness during pregnancy. As the due
date approaches, hormone changes will cause your breasts to get even bigger
to prepare for breastfeeding. Your breasts may feel full, heavy, or tender.
In the third trimester, some pregnant women begin to
leak colostrum (coh-LOSS-truhm) from their breasts. Colostrum is the first
milk that your breasts produce for the baby. It is a thick, yellowish
fluid containing antibodies that protect newborns from infection.
What might help:
- Wear a maternity bra with good support.
- Put pads in the bra to absorb leakage.
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