Getting confirmation that you’re pregnant is such an exciting moment! But it’s only the beginning of the many changes to come. During your pregnancy, you’ll need to get used to a lot, from your growing bump to morning sickness, to finding a whole new wardrobe that fits you well. Here’s what you can expect in the coming months…
Feeling sick and tired:
Feeling exhausted during pregnancy is not unusual, especially in the first 12 weeks, due to all the hormonal changes taking place in your body. If you can, try to rest as much as possible. Many women also experience nausea during the first part of the pregnancy, but most of these women do not know they are pregnant until they start to feel it. Eating little and often can alleviate the symptoms. Ginger, for example, in tea, can help.
Pregnancy is a demanding time for your body, so it’s important to listen to what it’s telling you and take the rest when you can. Many women find that small, frequent meals help with nausea and ginger is a natural remedy that can be effective for some people.
Blooming in pregnancy:
If you’re feeling sick and tired, take comfort in the fact that you may also experience a “bloom” during pregnancy. Due to the pregnancy hormone progesterone and the extra oxygen pumping around the body, women can find their hair grows quicker and glossier, their skin glows, and they develop an appealing cleavage as their breasts swell in size. Unfortunately, for some the opposite is true – their hair begins to fall out in clumps, their skin becomes greasy, and spots begin to appear.
Luck and genetics play a role in whether or not you’ll get stretch marks during pregnancy, but you can help reduce your chances by moisturizing your bump every night before bed.
Baby bump:
You usually don’t start to show a baby bump until you’re around 13 weeks pregnant, but you might start to show a little sooner if this is your first pregnancy. It all depends on your body shape and size, and those all-important genes.
As your body changes shape during pregnancy, you’ll probably find that your regular clothes become increasingly uncomfortable. Now is the time to invest in a good maternity wardrobe. Most high street shops have a dedicated section for this and there is much more choice these days. Invest in a quality maternity bra to support your growing breasts and steer clear of under wired bras as these can damage the tissue as your shape changes. With a few key items, you’ll be able to stay comfortable and stylish throughout your pregnancy.
Safe sex:
Although it’s a common worry for couples, sex will not cause harm to the baby. In fact, it is important to maintain a happy and healthy relationship with your partner during pregnancy as it has been said that sex during the final stages of pregnancy can help induce labor.
Eating for two:
Being pregnant doesn’t mean you have to eat twice as much as you normally would. In fact, while you will gain some extra weight, it’s important to watch your weight, so you don’t have difficulty losing the weight after the baby arrives.
Debra Aspinall is an experienced journalist who has edited and written for Emma’s Diary, one of the UK’s most popular pregnancy and baby websites. Debra’s articles cover topics such as early pregnancy tests, early pregnancy signs, and common early signs of pregnancy. She also writes about women’s health and beauty issues, and her travel articles have been featured in glossy magazines in London and the Home Counties.
