Pregnancy Discomforts Throughout a womans pregnancy there are

Pregnancy Discomforts

• Throughout a woman’s pregnancy, there are many, many times where she will be uncomfortable or have things happen to her body that seem incredibly embarrassing. • Most issues are completely normal & typically will get worse throughout the pregnancy.

• Embarrassing Issue: I've been so gassy and burpy lately! • The Cause: As the baby grows, space becomes tight in your belly. "Your bowels become crowded and your digestion may become more erratic, leaving you gassy and bloated, "

• Embarrassing Issue: I have a dark line running down the center of my belly, and my nipples are a lot darker too. • The Cause: Thank pregnancy hormones for this side effect. Increased estrogen levels boost the body's production of melanin, the natural substance that gives your skin pigment, resulting in your darkened nipples…

• and "linea nigra, " the line running down your tummy. You may also notice melasma -dark splotches of skin on your face. These changes typically begin in the second trimester and tend to affect darkercomplexioned women more noticeably.

• Embarrassing Issue: I'm constipated! • The Cause: Feeling like you're spending way too much time in the bathroom? You're not alone. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), most pregnant women get constipated at some point during their pregnancy…

• Soon after you conceive, ramped-up pregnancy hormones slow your digestive tract to a crawl (this allows more nutrients to be absorbed and passed on to your baby), which can throw off your digestion as early as eight weeks. Plus, over time, your growing baby also starts crowding your bowels, making it harder to process even tiny meals.

• Embarrassing Issue: My nipples are so itchy! • The Cause: Blame it on your new cleavage. As you've probably noticed, your breasts and nipples are becoming super-sized in preparation for breastfeeding. As your breasts grow, the sensitive skin in this area stretches, which can trigger a persistent itch.

• Embarrassing Issue: I get sudden sharp pains in my groin. • The Cause: These down-there pains tend to start up midpregnancy, when the round ligaments in your pelvis stretch to accommodate your growing baby. . .

• You may feel them when you stand up suddenly or they may hit after a long day of being on your feet. Later on, the weight of your baby's head pressing down on your pubic bone can also cause groin aches.

• Embarrassing Issue: I've been throwing up everywhere. • The Cause: Welcome to the all-daysickness club. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, while as many as 85 percent of women experience some degree of nausea during pregnancy, some expectant moms feel queasy around the clock…

• The verdict's still out on what exactly causes morning sickness, but experts believe it's linked to soaring levels of pregnancy hormones -- specifically estrogen and progesterone -- that hit you hardest in the first trimester.

• Embarrassing Issue: When I sneeze, cough or laugh, a little pee leaks out. • The Cause: Talk about loosening up. "When you're expecting, certain hormones signal your pelvic muscles to relax so you can eventually deliver your baby…

• What's more, during the second trimester, your growing baby starts to put pressure on your bladder, which resides right in front of your uterus. Many women experience some leaking during pregnancy.

• Embarrassing Issue: I'm breaking out like a teenager! • The Cause: Pregnancy -- and its roller-coaster hormones -- can be like nine long months of PMS for some women, triggering bumps and blemishes you haven't seen regularly since age 14.

• Embarrassing Issue: My crazy dreams are starting to freak me out. • The Cause: Strange, unsettling dreams are a totally normal part of pregnancy. "When you're pregnant, you give up a lot of the control you once had, which creates some feelings of nervousness about your future and impending motherhood…

• These anxieties, combined with fatigue and trouble nodding off, can lead to restless nights filled with weird dreams. It's common for expectant moms to report dreaming of things like horrible car accidents or giving birth to animals.

• Embarrassing Issue: Um, I think I have hemorrhoids. • The Cause: Hemorrhoids are dilated blood vessels around the anus -- sort of like varicose veins in your butt. They may appear as itchy, burning bumps and occasionally they'll bleed, which is why blood in your stool or on toilet paper is one of the most common hemorrhoid symptoms…

• Many pregnant women suffer from hemorrhoids, since they're often caused by the baby's weight pressing on veins in the groin. And chronic constipation doesn't help, since it forces you to strain more during bowel movements, aggravating things even more.

• Embarrassing Issue: I've been noticing a lot of milky discharge down there. • The Cause: "Rising estrogen levels, especially in the third trimester, cause the vagina to produce more secretions and discharge.

• Embarrassing Issue: My breasts are leaking! • The Cause: Leaky breasts are yet another sign that your body is getting baby-ready. "High levels of prolactin -- the hormone that preps your breasts for nursing --

• at the end of pregnancy can sometimes cause fluid to leak from your nipples when they're stimulated. Everyday things like showering, changing your clothes, or having sex can be enough to trigger sudden nipple secretions.

• Embarrassing Issue: My belly button is sticking out -- it looks weird when I wear tight tops! • The Cause: That's just your body's way of making a little extra room for baby. "The stretching of your belly and the pressure from the baby inside can cause your belly button to stick out like a turkey timer.