Pregnancy is a truly wonderful time. But with it comes quite a lot of body changes, and no we don't just mean a bigger belly!
Growing a baby requires a lot of work, and you won't come out the end of your nine month journey without having noticed one or two weird things happening...
From icky discharge to hairy nipples, you shouldn't be too worried if you notice the following unusual things.
1. Your bones become loose
In order to get the baby out, the body produces a hormone called relaxin which helps loosen and relax the cartilage that keeps your bones together. And while it certainly makes labour a lot easier, it can affect all of your bones, not just your pelvis.
2. Your hands can feel tingly
Some women suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome during pregnancy caused by endema (pregnancy swelling). One of the symptoms of this extra fluid is a pins and needles tingling effect, due to the swelling pressing on your nerves.
3. You can feel stuffy and congested
Your nose and sinus can become congested due to increased hormones which cause your mucous membranes to swell and become dry. This can leave your feeling like you have a nasty cold.
4. Or you can suffer from a constant runny nose
On the other end of the scale you can experience a constant runny nose that just won’t go away. This is because your inflamed nasal airways can cause irritation which results in sneezing and a runny nose.
5. Bleeding gums
While it is a little frightening, with many mums immediately jumping to the conclusion that they are going to lose their teeth, there is a reasonable explanation. Extra blood flow due to changes in hormone levels mean your normal toothbrush is too harsh; try swapping for a soft toothbrush and using warm water to help with the bleeding.
6. Sweaty Betty
Yes, pregnancy can make you feel like you have just ran 40 miles in the Sahara desert... This is due to the fact that your body is producing a lot more blood which warms you up., and the only way to cool down is to sweat it out! There is not much you can do apart from wearing loose clothing.