There are a number changes that happen to a woman’s body during pregnancy, and some of these changes can cause side effects which haven’t been mentioned before.
Most side effects of pregnancy are simply frustrating and annoying or stressful to deal with – they are not harmful to the mother or baby, but some can be.
Blocked Sinuses
Many pregnant women report blocked sinuses while they are expecting. There are times when the nose and throat can become inflamed as a result of pregnancy hormones and most of the medication that can help is a potential danger to the baby.
This is a symptom particularly common in people with allergies or sinus problems, so pregnant women that have allergies might want to take extra precautions and stock up on suitable medication or other treatments. This will help keep you a little bit more comfortable during a generally uncomfortable time.
Hair Loss
Some lucky people report wonderful looking hair during pregnancy; however, hair loss in pregnancy is a common condition that can affect around one in three women. The hair loss is usually temporary and once your baby is born, your hair will grow back as thick as it was before you got pregnant.
However, some women may experience hair loss that is more severe and persistent. If you are one of those women whose hair doesn’t regrow after pregnancy, there are treatments available which can help.
Hair transplants are one option for treating hair loss, and they can be performed in the UK once your baby is born and your body has recovered from pregnancy. If you are considering investigating hair transplants in the UK, it is important to consult with a specialist to ensure that it is the right treatment for you.
Aches and Pains
For many expecting mothers, joint pain is a common symptom during pregnancy. This pain is often caused by the extra weight that pregnant women carry, which puts added pressure on their joints. Additionally, the hormone Relaxin, which helps to loosen ligaments and muscles in preparation for childbirth and as the baby grows, can also contribute to joint pain.
There are several ways to help relieve joint pain during pregnancy. First, maintaining a healthy weight can help reduce the amount of stress on your joints. Additionally, regular exercise can help keep your joints strong and flexible. Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can also be effective in managing joint pain, just talk to your doctor if you find you need to take high amounts of these.
Hunger
For many pregnant women, hunger is not just about cravings. It’s a constant, gnawing feeling that can be difficult to control. For some women, this feeling is so strong that it can lead to weight gain and other health problems.
If you are one of the women who feels like they could never get enough food while they’re pregnant, you may have a condition called pica.
Pica is an eating disorder that causes people to eat things that are not food. Many women with pica crave and eat strange things during pregnancy like plaster, soap and paint chips. These cravings can cause many health problems in both pregnant women and babies, and can obviously be a danger to both.
Photo by Anna Civolani