Pregnancy brings about a variety of body changes. They can range from common and expected changes, such as swelling and fluid retention, to lesser-known ones. Pregnant women experience sudden increases in estrogen and progesterone.
Estrogen and progesterone are the main hormones of pregnancy. A woman will produce more estrogen during pregnancy than throughout her life when she is not pregnant. “The hormonal and physiological changes that come with pregnancy are unique”. Increased estrogen during pregnancy enables the uterus and placenta to realize: – improvement of vascularization (vascular formation), -transfer of nutrients, –
Body changes while supporting the developing child
Progesterone levels are also extremely high during pregnancy. Changes in progesterone cause weakness or relief of ligaments and joints throughout the body. While these hormones are absolutely critical to a successful pregnancy, they can also make exercise more difficult because the ligaments are looser. However, no studies have documented an increased rate of injury during pregnancy. The whole behavior of a pregnant woman changes. Her breasts developed; their abdomen is transformed from flat or concave to highly convex, increasing the curvature of the back.
Weight gain, fluid retention, and physical activity
Gaining weight in pregnant women increases the workload on the body from any physical activity. As a result, pregnant women carry fluids and experience swelling of the face and limbs.
Many women start to notice slight swelling during the second trimester and often continue in the third trimester. This increase in fluid retention is responsible for a significant amount of weight gain during pregnancy. /mommytobe
