Surprising Ways Your Body Changes During Pregnancy
When you’re pregnant, you expect morning sickness and have mentally prepared yourself for a ballooning belly. But no matter how many books you read or women you talk to, a couple of things can take you unawares. So brace yourself by learning about the surprising ways your body changes during pregnancy.
Some Pigmentation Darkens
You already understand that you might develop some stretch marks, and that’s OK. They’re trendy now. Celebrities are embracing their “stripes,” even painting their scars gold and posting them on Instagram. But a dark line that appears might surprise you. It runs up and down your stomach as if you’ve already had a cesarean section. It’s called Linea Negra and will most likely fade after you’ve given birth. Some of your freckles and moles, though, might darken for good.
You’ll Grow an Extra Organ
Your body is housing an entire human being, but that’s not all. The placenta is an entirely new organ that joins the party. It gets larger, and its attached umbilical cord gets longer, jostling other organs like the stomach and liver into new positions. But you have to admire the efficiency of the placenta. It single-handedly provides all the oxygen and nutrients the baby needs. After delivery, the placenta somehow knows it’s no longer needed and quietly makes its exit while you’re busy with your newborn.
Your Feet Will Expand
Most moms-to-be expect swollen and aching feet. But for some, the expansion is permanent. You can increase an entire shoe size during your pregnancy. It may have something to do with an increase in growth hormone or your arches flattening out from the extra weight.
Your Hair Becomes Glorious
Not all the surprising ways your body changes during pregnancy are bad news. As your baby rapidly grows, so does your hair. It’s one of the better side effects of the hormonal surges you’re experiencing. Thanks to the increased blood circulation, more nutrients get to your tresses. You’ll probably notice that your hair is different in some way: longer, thicker, or with a new texture. It might be the best hair of your life, so enjoy it. About six months after the baby arrives, all those bonus strands fall out at an alarming rate, and it’s back to business as usual.