Skin changes
The increase in hormones during pregnancy as well as other factors can result in changes to your skin which can include:
"Pregnancy glow"
You may get a radiant glow over your face. Your face seems to blush because you have more blood during pregnancy. There is therefore more blood in the vessels below your cheeks. In addition to blushing, oil production make the skin extra shiny.
The "mask of pregnancy"
During the second trimester, brown or yellow spots may develop over the entire face. This "chloasma", or pregnancy mask, usually appears on the forehead, above the jaws, on the nose, upper lip and chin. The pregnancy hormones estrogen and progesterone create more pigment in the skin on your face. Because not all cells make the same amount of color, stained spots can occur. If you previously took the pill, you may have seen this side effect, caused by hormones. Brunettes and women with dark skin can see dark circles, similar to eye shadow. Chloasma can not be prevented, but you can reduce it by staying out of the sun. Use sunscreen with at least 30 if you go outside, or wear a hat.
Acne
If you thought you were rid of this pubescent skin issue, think again; you could get it back during pregnancy. Althouth pregnancy acne is rarely as severe as during puberty, you may want some anti-pimple cream again. This will all disappear again shortly after birth. Don't use products which scrub your skin; as during pregnancy your skin is very soft. Opt for mild products.
Linea Nigra
Many women have a vague white line, known as the linea alba, which runs from the navel to the middle of the pubic bone. It is barely visible, many women will never notice it. In the second quarter, the linea alba becomes a linea nigra, a dark line that is well visible. In some women, the line also goes above the navel. The linea nigra is darker in women with a dark skin. A few months after delivery, the line disappears.
Dark areas become darker
Small spots and freckles can get bigger during pregnancy. Brown spots and moles become browner. New birthmarks may also appear. The breasts and nipples of your breasts become darker. Unlike the places in your face, the isola will remain darker after pregnancy than before pregnancy.
Red palms and heels
In some pregnancies the palms and heels may become red and itchy. Sometimes this happens in the first month of pregnancy. This phenomenon is known as palmar erythema. It's benign, and is relatively uncommon.
Expanded bloodvessels
Pregnancy hormones and increased blood volume can make small purple veins visible. These vessels are well below the skin and are usually not visible, but due to pregnancy this may change. These veins can also be seen in the white part of the eyeball during childbirth. The intense push with a red face can cause the veins to bulge. These red vessels will disappear after birth.
Skin tags
Some women get small skin tags where the skin rubs against clothing, or where the skin rubs against itself. They appear under the arms, in the folds of the neck or under the bra strap. It is a hyperactive growth of skin cells. They disappear a few months after childbirth, but you can also remove them, with a little pain, if you are really suffering.
Red rash
This red rash often occurs in babies, but also in pregnant women. It manifests as a painful hot irritated rash due to an overheated body, excessive sweating, and friction of the skin against clothing or against itself. It usually occurs under the breasts, the area under the belly and the inside of the thighs.
Itching
Dry flaky skin during pregnancy can cause a lot of itching. The red rash can also cause it. A lot of women experience itching where the skin stretches, like the belly, buttocks, and thighs.
Body pimples
About one in one hundred women suffer from pimples on the belly, thighs and buttocks. These are known as "pruritic urticarial papules" (PUP). It usually occurs in the second half of pregnancy and disappears shortly after childbirth. Treat the pimples just like normal pimples.
Scars or stretchmarks
Stretchmarks are the most common skin change in pregnancies. Almost all women will get these "scars" in pregnancy. They start as red / pink stripes that run over the abdomen and / or breasts. There is medication available to prevent scarring, but it's not yet medically proven. After pregnancy, the marks become less visible and adopts a dull silver-like color.
Varicose veins
Variceles are bumpy blue veins that usually appear on the legs during pregnancy. There are several reasons for this: the volume of blood in the body becomes a lot greater. Due to the changing hormone levels, the blood vessels can expand. Also, a growing uterus can block the flow of blood from the legs to the heart.
Most read information articles
-
1st trimester (Bloodloss)
Many women suffer from some slight bleeding in early pregnancy. Normally, women who have had slight bleeding in the first trimester have no problems during the further pregnancy. A little blood loss can be normal, but it is sometimes a cause for conc......(137633 x) Read more » -
Stomach cramps
Babies get tummy cramps. They come and go many times. It's no fun for parents either; you can see your little one in pain, the crying doesn't seem to stop, and sometimes it seems like there's nothing you can do to help. Bowel cramps oc......(121589 x) Read more » -
Pregnancy symptoms
It is important during pregnancy to know the difference between normal symptoms and those which should be reported to your midwife or doctor. Below is a list of the most common symptoms experienced by pregnant women. Areola around the nipples get ......(87849 x) Read more » -
Mucus plug
During pregnancy, a mucous membrane forms in your uterus. The mucous membrane prevents infections of your uterus. The mucous membrane will remain in place until you give birth. When labour starts, the cervix is stretched and softer. This can c......(67075 x) Read more » -
Empty days (Breastfeeding)
If you are breastfeeding, you will probably wake up early and go to bed late in the early days. Your milk production is not yet set to your baby's demands. Moms often feel uncertain during these "empty" days; baby seems insatiable and y......(63916 x) Read more » -
Feeding
For the first six months, breastfeeding or complete infant formula will usually provide your baby with enough nutrients. The amount of food a baby needs is always different for each child. According to pediatricians, you can use the following guideli......(62152 x) Read more » -
Breasts
Pregnancy and breast changes: During your pregnancy, your breasts are temporarily a little bigger. The following breast changes are normal: The breasts feel fuller and are more sensitive because pregnancy hormones p......(59617 x) Read more » -
Stillbirth (Loss)
If you lose your child after the 16th week, or your child dies during childbirth, this is officially classed as a "stillbirth". It's a tragic and often traumatic experience for parents. A mix of emotions are involved; anger, guilt, sadn......(58415 x) Read more » -
Development of the foetus
An interactive video of the development of your baby. Slide the sliders to see the growth! The first picture shows the growth from 0 to 8 weeks, the second the growth from 8 to 40 weeks. You may also like this animated gif: ......(58282 x) Read more » -
2nd trimester (Bloodloss)
Occassionaly you may have some blood loss during your second trimester. Common causes include cervical growth or inflammation. Bleeding can pose a threat to both the mother and the unborn child. The most common cause of severe vaginal blood loss duri......(55953 x) Read more » -
Teeth
First teeth Generally, babies get their first teeth between 5 and 9 months. Normally, the first two are bottom incisors, followed by the top two, then the teeth to either side. All eight cutting teeth usually come through when the baby is 8 ......(53010 x) Read more » -
Sleep (Sleep during pregnancy)
During your pregnancy, you may have more difficulty sleeping than usual. A larger abdomen, heartburn, anxiety, back pain and shortness of breath lead to less sleep. You can get frustrated about the lack of good sleep. Yet sleep is very necessary......(51896 x) Read more » -
Checklist baby outfits (Checklists)
When you're pregnant you need to spend a lot of time and money, because the new little addition to your family will need a lot more than you first think! What will you need? Well, print this handy checklist so you don't forget anything! &n......(51157 x) Read more » -
Skin changes
The increase in hormones during pregnancy as well as other factors can result in changes to your skin which can include: "Pregnancy glow" You may get a radiant glow over your face. Your face seems to blush because you have more bl......(50805 x) Read more » -
Pregnancy after 35
Women are increasingly choosing to become pregnany at a later age. This has several reasons; work and career, still busy with study or promotion, no suitable partner, financial worries. The average age at which women have their first child increased ......(46748 x) Read more » -
Reflux in babies
Milk-spitting isn't the same as reflux Many newborns may spit out or dribble a mouthful of milk after they've been fed. They can drink more than they can handle, and some of it comes right back up. This little bit of returned is ......(42974 x) Read more » -
Gender of the baby
Dr. Landrum Shettles was a pioneer in fertility techniques. He was involved very early in experiments in which ova could be fertilized in a laboratory. He has also researched for years to influence the sex of babies. He also wrote a book about it, wh......(42549 x) Read more » -
Coughing and choking
It's well known that babies put "everything" in their mouths. They do this to explore their surroundings. Small objects can be dangerous to children (especially young children), the objects may become clogged in the trachea, res......(41978 x) Read more » -
Conceiving 30 tips
If you want to use a lubricant then use PreSeed. When you are dry the sperm have less chance of swimming up, PreSeed provides a comfortable environment for the sperms to swim through. Eat green leafy vegetables with plenty of folic acid, and thi......(41086 x) Read more » -
Fluid retention (edema)
It's normal for your body to retain excess water during pregnancy. This can be on average 2 to 3 liters. In the last month, especially, this is very noticeable; symptoms include swollen hands, feet and face. Even in warm weather, you will retain ......(41078 x) Read more » -
Clustering (Breastfeeding)
Clustering is a common term within the breastfeeding world. In short, it means that a child wants to drink at a certain time of the day, or sometimes even more often, with you. Sometimes a child wants to be at the breast continuously. It is completel......(40978 x) Read more » -
Sex (Safety during pregnancy)
Sex during pregnancy Many people worry that having sex during pregnancy will somehow harm or disturb the baby. Although perhaps the mechanics, especially as you get further on in your pregnancy, may prove challenging, there is no reason couples cann......(40475 x) Read more » -
Pregnancy tests
When can you take a pregnancy test? Urine tests can take place one day before the next period starts. Blood tests can be done at 6 to 8 days after ovulation. Pregnancy tests work by checking your urine for a hormone called human chori......(39149 x) Read more » -
Jaundice
The cause of the yellow color of the skin and mucous membranes is the substance bilirubin. This substance is released by red blood cell degradation. The baby has much more red blood cells than an adult in the womb. The red blood cells also ......(38681 x) Read more » -
Pelvic instability
Experiencing pain in your pelvic region is another symptom of pregnancy and quite normal. Research shows that 50 to 60% of women suffer from pelvic pain or low back pain. Early in pregnancy, hormones make the pelvis more flexible. In addition, the......(38122 x) Read more » -
Hypotension (Blood pressure)
Your blood pressure depends on age, weight and health. Average blood pressure is 120/80 (120 over 80). The first number is systolic pressure. This indicates how high the arterial pressure is and when the blood is pumped into the arteries every heart ......(37822 x) Read more » -
Vaginal infections (Tests before pregnancy)
Normally the vaginal discharge is whitish or slightly transparent in color and feels slimy and sticky. In pregnancy it is normal that the amount and thickness of the secretions vary greatly. Most women have more discharge than normal during pregnancy......(37396 x) Read more » -
Foreskin (Baby care)
The penis primarily consists of what could be called a stem and an acorn. The "acorn" tip is very sensitive and protected by a thin fold of skin. In some boys this covering is complete, while in other boys the covering is only partial. I......(37148 x) Read more » -
During a twin pregnancy (Twins)
Approximately 3 out of every 100 pregnancies is a twin or multiple pregnancy. Normally during your first ultrasound scan it will be determined whether you are having more than one baby although it may take the entire nine months for you to get over t......(35682 x) Read more »