The woman's body goes through many physical changes while pregnant, which are necessary for fetal development and prepare the woman for labor.
You began to see stretch marks in the second half of your pregnancy.
This can be caused due to the stretching of the skin.
The places you usually will see this most are on your buttocks, abdomen, breast, and thighs.
Changes in the color of your skin, hyperpigmentation of the umbilicus, nipples, abdominal midline linea nigra, and face chloasma are normal due to the hormonal changes you go through during pregnancy.
Spider veins are caused by hyperdynamic circulation and high levels of estrogen.
The urinary system changes due to the expanding uterus putting pressure on the bladder, urethra and pelvic floor muscles which causes bladder problems like frequent urination and urine leakage when sneezing, coughing, or laughing.
The kidneys are working much harder to get rid of the waste from both mother and fetus.
The abdomen through the second trimester begins to expand.
Near the end of this trimester, the uterus will be near the rib cage.
The woman may feel pain on either side of her abdomen as the abdomen wall and the legiments begins to stretch.
Larger breasts are very noticeable and are very tender due to the increased level of estrogen and progesterone.
You will notice that the closer to your due date, your breast will be even larger to prepare for breastfeeding.
The nipples on the breast stick out much more.
At the third trimester you will notice a yellow watery pre milk that may leak from the nipples.
Pregnant women may notice that they run out of breath quicker than they used to before they were pregnant.
Your respiratory rate rises to compensate for increased maternal oxygen consumption that is needed for uterus, placenta, and the fetus.
You will have an increased respiratory rate, increased minute ventilation, respiratory alkalosis, increased tidal volume, and decreased functional capacity.
Your entire cardiovascular system is readjusted.
The volume of blood in your body increases.
More blood vessels grow and the pressure of the expanding uterus on large veins causes the blood to slow in its return to the heart.
In the second trimester, your blood pressure will be lower As the uterus becomes larger, it rises up and out of the pelvic cavity.
This displaces the stomach, intestines, and other adjacent organs.
The progesterone causes relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter.
You will notice an increase in heartburn and acid reflux.
Constipation will occur a decrease in gastric motility.
The hormonal changes in pregnant women readjust the whole body system.
Hot flashes are something pregnant women feel.
They may feel warmer due to the increased hormonal level and basal metabolic rate.
The placenta produces large amounts of estrogen and progesterone by the 10th and 12th week of pregnancy.
It helps to maintain the growth of the uterus.
In order to meet the increased requirements of calcium, the parathyroid gland increases.
The posterior pituitary will start to secrete oxytocin, which will initiate labor.
The production of milk in the breast is caused by the anterior pituitary that at birth will begin to secrete prolactin.
Musculoskelatal system changes are the realignment of the spinal curvature to maintain balance.
Back pain and pubic symphysis are caused by increased ligamental laxity caused by increased levels of relaxin.
The ligaments that hold the pelvic bones together gradually loosen to prepare the woman for labor and birth.
Your body temperature increases slightly in the early stages of pregnancy, but returns back to normal at the 16th week of gesatation.
The swelling of your feet and ankles is due to the extra fluid in your body during pregnancy.
You may also notice the hair and nails changes in texture and growth during pregnancy.
Leg cramps start from fatigue from carrying pregnancy weight.
The compression of the blood vessels in the legs, excess phosphorous, a shortage of calcium or magnesium, and fluctuation of pregnancy hormones.