The effects of pregnancy on your body

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The effects of pregnancy on your body

• Dr Bianca Zondagh
• Obstetrician and Gynacologist
• Netcare Unitas Hospital

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Introduction

• During pregnancy, your changing hormone levels
  can have effects on your appearance and how you
  feel some very unexpected
• Brief description of common problems that women
  experience and how to cope with it
• DONT WORRY YOU WONT GET ALL OF THEM!

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Skin changes

• Itchy stomach dry skin
• Pigmentation
• General
• Chloasma
• Linea nigra
• Rashes
• Oiliness and spots
• Stretch marks

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What to do?

• Gentle soap
• Good moisturizer tissue oils
• Standard 3-step beauty regime
• Sunscreen (SPF 15)
• Avoid excessive weight gain
• Vitamin E C and zinc

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Hair

• Changes in texture
• Coarser and greasier
• Unmanageable and limp
• Frizzier
• Extra facial or body hair

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What to do?

• Experiment with shampoos or try a different
  hairstyle
• You may dye just beware of unwanted results and
  allergic reactions (you may be more sensitive)
• Pluck / wax if the extra hair bother you

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Breasts

• Leaky nipples
• Tenderness
• Prominent veins
• Prominent areola

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What to do?

• Buy some breast pads
• Wear a support bra, replace with correct size as
  breast grow
• Sleep with a bra
• Use concealer make-up if the veins bother you

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Digestive system

• Constipation and wind
• Dental problems
• Food aversions and cravings
• Food pica
• Heartburn
• Pregnancy sickness (morning, noon and night)
• Salivation and drooling

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What to do?

• Drink gt2 litres water/juice high fibre diet
• Light exercise
• Try to stick to healthy diet and take a
  nutritional supplement
• Prevent reflux
• Improve your posture
• Anti-acids
• Eat little often
• High protein carbs, low fat
• Dried and dry foods with a bit extra salt
• Fresh ginger / anything ginger
• Medication ask you doctor

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Aches and pains

• Backache
• Carpal tunnel syndrome / pins and needles
• Headache
• Leg cramps and restless legs
• Ligament pain
• Rib pain
• Sciatica

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What to do?

• Posture, posture and posture
• Dont lift heavy objects
• Regular exercise, gentle stretching,
  physiotherapy
• Elevate hands
• Drink plenty water
• Massage
• Calcium and magnesium

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Urinary system

• Urinary tract infections
• Increased urination
• Stress incontinence

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What to do?

• Drink plenty water
• Cranberry juice
• General hygiene
• Avoid standing for long periods late in pregnancy
• Pelvic floor exercise

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Reproductive system

• Bleeding / spotting
• Candida / thrush
• Vaginal discharge

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What to do

• Bleeding and discharges should be examined
• Candida
• Avoid tight synthetic underwear
• Avoid scented baths

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Blood and circulation

• Anaemia
• High or low blood pressure
• Haemorrhoids
• Nosebleeds
• Swelling / water retention
• Varicose veins

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What to do

• Eat iron rich foods and fresh fruit and
  vegetables
• Supplement iron and vitamin C
• Check your BP regularly
• Posture and position
• Avoid constipation, dont strain in the loo, mild
  laxative
• Improve circulation
• Drink plenty water
• Exercise
• Dont stand too long sit and elevate legs
• Cool baths / showers / swimming

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Emotional and mental

• Fatigue
• Depression
• Memory loss
• Mood swings

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What to do?

• Get a lot of rest, learn to relax, exercise
• Good nutrition and supplements, omega 3 6 fatty
  acids
• Try not to get frustrated
• IGNORE PEOPLE WHO TELL YOU TO SNAP OUT OF IT!
• Make lists and adjust to being less efficient
  than usual
• Indulge yourself
• Get help if you cant cope

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Miscellaneous

• Blocked ears
• Stuffy nose
• Dizziness
• Raised temperature and increased sweating
• The list can go on

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To conclude

• Conception, pregnancy and birth are the most
  amazing events in a couples life
• So much information to absorb, so many choices to
  make
• Your body is changing in a million ways from you
  first positive pregnancy test to your very last
  push

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• Forewarned is forearmed its better to know
  what might happen than to be taken by surprise

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Thank you