When it comes to pregnancy, your body is going to go through a whole host of changes, some of which you are really aware of others not so much. 

 

One of the most common yet least talked about changes is how it affects your skin. From a glowing complexion to stretch marks, there are many changes that you'll notice:

 

Stretch marks

When pregnant your skin becomes a lot thinner and, coupled with a growing bump, you’ll notice it starting to stretch. As it stretches, red or purple lines will appear across your belly, legs or breasts, although they can occur anywhere. They will typically fade over time into silver marks.

 

Itchy feelings

While normally no cause for concern, an itchy feeling across your skin can be pretty frustrating. For most women, the itch is caused by an increase in skin sensitivity due to hormones. You may even experience intense itchiness on your hands and feet which is called obstetric cholestasis – contact your doctor if it doesn’t go away.

 

Spots/ acne

Again you can blame your hormones for taking you back to your teenage years. When you are pregnant, your body produces extra sebum - oil which results in greasy skin and blocked pores. Avoid using any acne creams unless prescribed and keep your skin clean with an oil-free cleanser and moisturiser.  

 

Varicose veins

Varicose veins are swollen veins usually located on your legs and vulva, although they can pop up anywhere. When pregnant, you will experience an increased blood supply and relaxed blood vessels and your growing womb will put pressure on your Vena Cava. All these changes increase pressure in your legs which causes blue/purple lines or lumps to appear under your skin. Thankfully, they generally improve after you give birth.

 

Darker skin

For some women, certain areas of the skin can become a little darker, especially around the nipples. You may even notice brown patches on your face and neck known as chloasma. These can appear a little lighter in darker skinned people. This is caused by your body producing extra melanin, but not all mums-to-be will experience this. It will usually go back to normal after baby arrives.

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