If you’re reading this, you might be trying for a baby soon — or you might already have a little bun in the oven! Regardless of where you are in your pregnancy journey, there are a few things that you might be on the lookout for in your body as it begins to change. You might be wondering things along the lines of, “Will I get bloated?” and “Can pregnancy cause acne?” And while you might have that and a million other questions, it’s important to remember that everyone is different, and that you’ll never really know what will impact you the most until you experience it yourself. Even with this, there are still a few things you may learn to expect as your pregnancy progresses. Here are a few of them.
Appetite
One thing that you might be aware of already is that pregnancy can absolutely affect your appetite. For some people, pregnancy can make you extra hungry, whereas for others, it can make you feel nauseous and less hungry. This is all a matter of personal body chemistry, and it’s important to make sure that you are eating enough calories.
Hair Growth
Many people might not know this, but pregnancy can actually impact the way that your hair grows. In addition to changing your curl pattern or your coloration, it can also make your hair grow longer and stronger due to some of the pregnancy hormones. If you noticed that your hair texture changes throughout pregnancy, don’t be surprised.
Skin Changes
As far as whether pregnancy can cause acne, unfortunately, it can for some people. Although this isn’t true for everyone, pregnancy can cause breakouts and changes in skin texture — however, some people also find the opposite. Some people find a new clarity to their skin in pregnancy.
Breast Changes
This one might be a bit more common, but it’s still important to mention. Many people experience that their breasts change during pregnancy, and this can occur in a variety of ways. Some people experience additional sensitivity, while others experience a change in size or appearance. It truly is different for everybody, so you might not know until you actually experience it for yourself.
Fatigue
Although some people experience a boost and energy, other people can experience fatigue during pregnancy. This might not be consistent all the time, but you shouldn’t be surprised if your energy levels shift at least a little bit when you become pregnant.
Aches and Pains
This one also makes sense considering the fact that you’re carrying an entirely new person inside of your body, but you might notice that being pregnant comes along with some new aches and pains. Whether it’s your knees or your back or somewhere else entirely, you might begin to notice the physical changes that come along with carrying a baby.
Cravings
Cravings are truly different for everybody, which means that noticing the specific cravings that you have might be an entirely different experience from the cravings of your friends or even family members. This being said, there’s nothing wrong with having cravings during pregnancy! It’s completely natural, and often part of the experience.
Food Aversions
Food aversions don’t get talked about quite as much as pregnancy cravings, but you might be surprised to learn that they are just as common. Not only are food aversions completely natural, but they can also cause an admittedly big impact on your pregnancy experience. Just like cravings, they are unique from person to person, and might take a little bit of getting used to.
Shortness of Breath
This one might sound a little bit strange, but you might begin to notice that your breath might become shorter the further along you get. This makes sense, as having an entire person inside of you is a lot of effort, and takes a lot more power than simply caring for your own body. You may begin to realize that during exercise or strenuous activities, you might experience shortness of breath. This is completely normal and just takes a little bit of getting used to.
Sleep Pattern Changes
Sleep pattern changes during pregnancy can be accredited to a lot of different factors, most notably, the difficulty in getting comfortable when it comes to adjusting for your pregnancy belly. Although this can creep up over time, it can also sneak up on you quickly. Don’t be surprised if your sleep patterns change due to your pregnancy. It’s completely normal, and once you find your groove, it can be a lot easier.
Body Changes During Pregnancy
It’s completely normal and natural for your body to change during pregnancy. By carrying a new life inside of you, your body needs to accommodate for all of the challenges ahead. From your hair to your sleep patterns, you might notice a lot of new things in your body.
