Most women know that their bodies will change during pregnancy, but do they know that there is more than the obvious growth of their abdomen? It is truly miraculous how God designed the woman’s body to grow a baby human. Let’s look at the obvious and hidden body changes a woman’s body goes through during pregnancy. 

First Trimester Body Changes 

• Reproductive System- One of the first changes in pregnancy are the change in a women’s breasts. Her breasts enlarge, the nipples stick out more, and the breasts can feel tender due to hormone changes.  The second most recognized sign of pregnancy is the woman’s abdomen changes. The uterus inside the abdomen expands, though it still fits within the pelvis at this point in her pregnancy. 
• The endocrine system has many hormone changes to deal with during pregnancy. The woman’s body temperature increases slightly, causing the woman to feel warmer or experience “hot flashes.” 
• Respiratory system changes during pregnancy include the respiratory rate rising to compensate for increased maternal oxygen consumption, which is needed to meet the demands of the uterus, the placenta, and the baby. Other changes include the woman feeling out of breath, having increased respiratory alkalosis, minute ventilation, or decreased functional capacity.
• The gastrointestinal system undergoes changes because as the uterus enlarges, it grows higher and rises out of the pelvic cavity. This action displaces the stomach, intestines, and other adjacent organs. A women may feel nausea in her stomach and/or she may vomit. Sometimes women will have decreased gastric motility which causes constipation. She can also experience heartburn and increased reflux throughout her pregnancy. 
• Cardiovascular system changes include the mother’s blood volume increasing by nearly one half to support the growing baby. This can lead to swollen feet and ankles. Other changes could include elevated resting heart rate, decreased peripheral resistance, and, in the second trimester, decreased blood pressure.
• Fatigue is a common discomfort in the first trimester. The woman’s body is working hard making another human. No wonder she is tired!

Second Trimester Body Changes 

• The reproductive system continues to change as the growing uterus begins to press on internal organs. 
• Digestive system issues can include heartburn and constipation because of hormone changes. 
• Weight gain from the growing baby, placenta, amniotic fluid and additional body fat to support breastfeeding. 
• The integumentary system includes the hair, skin, and nails. Some of its changes include hair and nail change of texture and growth during pregnancy from hormone changes. Other changes include stretch marks on the skin of the abdomen, breasts, and thighs. Hyperpigmentation, dark patched on the skin, can appear due to hormonal changes. This is also known as “the mask of pregnancy.”
• Hair growth on a woman’s body may increase and she may experience thicker hair during the pregnancy.

Third Trimester Body Changes 

• Weight gain continues. Total weight gain is usually between 25 – 35 pounds. 
• Reproductive System continues to change. The uterus grows quite large, reaching to under the rib cage in the third trimester. It feels tight. The breasts prepare for breastfeeding, producing colostrum, that sometimes leaks, in the third trimester. 
• Integumentary system changes include reddish marks on abdomen and breasts as the skin becomes tighter.
• The urinary system experiences change due to pressure on the woman’s bladder. There is also a possibility of urinary tract infections because of this.
• The respiratory system is affected because it is harder to breathe due to the baby taking up more space in the body. 
• The musculoskeletal system experiences changes like when the Joints loosen and crack because of a hormone called relaxin. As the uterus grows, it can cause backaches and pelvic discomfort due to pressure on joints and nerves. 
• Nervous system changes can include mood swings from hormonal fluctuations. These can lead to emotional ups and downs that are common during pregnancy.
• Fatigue is a normal part of life in the third trimester. The woman feels increased tiredness due to difficulty of sleeping in unusual positions because of her expanding belly. She may also make more trips to the bathroom. 
• Endocrine system changes include the pituitary gland producing prolactin that stimulates the production of breast milk. 

Action Step

Don’t be caught unaware! Read over this list of body changes during pregnancy. It is truly amazing how a woman’s body changes to accommodate the conception and growth of a baby during pregnancy. Share this with any woman or couple who are thinking about having a baby or with those who are already pregnant so they will not be surprised about body changes in pregnancy.

May God bless you on your wellness journey!

Joni

P.S. What  other body changes have you experienced during pregnancy?