Advice on the body changes you may experience during pregnancy, with information on diet, weight, hormones and health problems.Discuss body changes in pregnancy on our forums, right now! Or, post a comment below.Enormous physical, hormonal and emotional changes take place during pregnancy over a relatively short period of time. The body has to adapt to carrying up to 20lb of baby, waters and placenta, which can impose physical strain on all the organs and tissues. Most of this weight will be carried infront causing your centre of gravity to change.
Aches and pains are common during pregnancy, as the body changes shape to accommodate the increasing size and weight of the uterus. This involves considerable changes to posture.
If the mother has existing back problems, or strains in her body from past accidents or trauma, it may be more difficult for her to accommodate these changes, and she may suffer more discomfort as a result.
The ligaments of the whole body soften during pregnancy due to the action of hormones. This allows the bones of the pelvis to separate slightly during the delivery to facilitate the passage of the baby?s head through the pelvis. Unfortunately this softening affects the whole body and makes it more vulnerable to strain during the pregnancy.
Postural changes may cause backache, neckache, headaches, aching legs and undue fatigue. Postural changes through the lower ribs and spine can impede the action of the diaphragm and make breathing difficult.
Tension within the pelvis or diaphragm area can increase resistance to the return of venous blood to the heart from the lower half of the body. This can cause or aggravate varicose veins in the legs, and haemorrhoids.
As the baby grows and takes up more space within the abdomen there is less space to move about, and your baby will find a preferred position. The mother?s posture has to adapt to accommodate the position of the baby, and if this conflicts with her own postural needs it may cause undue aches and pains. This is the reason that one pregnancy may be much more uncomfortable to carry than another.
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I have found that heartburn starts getting worse around 29 weeks and have now accepted that because of the hip, I will more than likely have a caesarean birth so have prepared a caesarean birth plan. Even if you're planning a vaginal birth, it will be worth doing this even if you're not planning a caesarean as you may need an emergency one.
If you have hip pain, do push for your doctor to diagnose the problem as I think I have Symphisis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD), but no one will diagnose it. I had to fight for a physio appointment and was offered a rheumatology appointment one week before my baby is due which is pretty useless.
A very warm bath is the only thing that relieves the pain, but I try and use moisturising bubble bath as my skin has been incredibly dry.
Just remember, every pregnancy is different and whatever complications you have, they are more than likely temporary and they are not your unborn baby's fault. I can't wait to meet my little one and am convinced the constant pain is worth it.
Well done all you pregnant ladies as it certainly isn't easy! xxx
My 4th week of pregnancy I had stomach cramping, which I thought might have been my period (finally!) but nah, just as long as its not outrageous, unbelievable and unbearable type of period pain accompanied with bleeding (light or heavy) then this experience is normal. This cramping feeling is the embryo embedding or attaching itself to your uterus/lining of your womb, think of it as your baby getting nice and settled for the next few months :). I had this cramping feeling for about 2-3 days. I was lucky that it coincided with my days off work, and if you are in that position too, my advice is lay a hot water bottle quite low down on the abdomen ( not on your actual stomach), drink plenty of tea, and if possible, sleep it off. If its a complete nuisance and your at work, there are heat pads for period pains which can be purchased at your local Boots or drug stores at a reasonable price, their quite discreet and will help substancialy.
Onto the 5th-6th week and it actually feels like someones tried to bite my nipple off, and sore is an understatement. Although the comment before mine suggests wearing a bra to bed for more comfort, I say no bra to bed has worked better for myself, especially if majority of your bra's are lacy/slightly raunchy or a bit more fashionable than comfortable like mine, I find my bra's at the moment just irritate me(literally).
And in the same week, I'm finding that my appetite is a little shakey, I'll put this down to so many doctors and websites dictating what I can and can't eat and making me really think about what I shovel into my mouth. If you find that you don't particularly want any food, then dry and drink as many fluids as you can, some squash or water, tea, that way you still have some nutritional intake, some is better than none.
I'll keep you poster fans, and I really hope that I am some help x
I am 18 weeks 4 days pregnant. At the beginning of my pregnancy (5-7 weeks) I had stomach cramps that felt like normal period pain - apparently this is the embreyo attaching itself to the lining of the womb and is quite normal. After a few weeks that disappeared and I got very sore breasts to replace it! My boyfriend hugging me hurt if he squeezed me too hard and sleeping without a bra was an absolute killer. I have since bought sports bras which have helped no end.
I was lucky and didn't suffer any morning sickness, however I did find that I would be hungry and as soon as food was in front of me I didn't want to eat it. Meat was especially bad and all I really felt like eating was food full of carbohydrates. This has now stopped and my appetite is back to normal, if slightly bigger than before.
I've been suffering from back pain since about week 8, however I have had problems with my cocyx in the past so this may be the reason. I've found laying on my back makes it a lot worse when I try and sit up. I've found laying on my side with a pillow in between my knees is the most comfortable sleeping position. I'd been very sleepy a lot of the time until a few weeks ago.
Most of my symptoms have completely disappeared now (tiredness, sore boobs, random pains in my stomach, hormone attacks etc) but I did feel movement for the first time about four days ago. It felt like popcorn popping in my stomach - it was much lower down than other things I've felt and thought could have been quickening - I can assure you when you feel baby moving you'll know what it is straight away!
I'd had a little bit of a belly (I was previously size 4-6 for tops) but woke up two days ago to find I look pregnant! It came out of nowhere and can't possibly be all baby bump, but I'm thinking all my organs must be heading northwards to make room!
Congratulations to you all - enjoy it! I worried a lot during the first few weeks but since I've started letting my body do what it wants and not worried about it I feel absolutely great!
good luck to everyone else
for everyone on here, by what week did you start to show. i.e you looked in the mirror and could see a little bump?
i know exactly what you're going through. I am now 7 weeks pregnant having had a miscarriage back in July. I am very worried about what might happen especially since my breasts are also now less tender than they were last week. I do, however, have some feelings of nausea, whcih i didn't have at all last time, so I'm clutching onto the hope that that's a good sign. I haven't yet been able to see my GP, who is an obstetric specialist because he's been on holiday, but I will be going to see him as soon as he's back to work so that I can get some reassurance. Let's hope it's good new for both of us - for now I think we should just try and keep thinking positive thoughts. Good luck - Natasha