From Trail to Tummy: Pregnancy Skin Changes Every Mom Should Be Ready For

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There’s a lot that changes when you get pregnant. Whether that’s the hormones that you feel

throughout the trimesters, or the physical changes that occur, there’s a lot that changes, and that

can be an interesting experience.

For some people, changes to their bodies can feel daunting. Not knowing what changes during

pregnancy is worrying, but knowing more about what to expect can be helpful.

With that being said, if you’re a first-time mom and wondering what is going to change as you grow a child,

then read on for more intel.

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Stretch marks

These are probably the most well-known, talked about symptoms of pregnancy and are often

common to most pregnancies. 

It’s unlikely that the skin around your belly region has stretched before to the point that you

look nearly 40 weeks pregnant. That’s why the skin around your belly and in other areas like

your chest can form stretch marks. This can also extend to the hips and thighs.

Stretch marks while pregnant appear as pink, red, or purple lines and are caused by the rapid stretching of the skin. There

are creams and ointments that you can apply to the skin daily to help prevent stretch marks

from forming. 

Ultimately, though, these creams don’t always work, and as a result, you may end up getting

stretch marks regardless of the effort you make to try to reduce their appearance. It is

worth knowing that these stretch marks will typically fade to a silvery or white color after the

delivery occurs.

Hyperpigmentation

Hyperpigmentation of the skin occurs in a number of ways and is a common appearance that

comes from pregnancy.

Increased levels of hormones cause this melanin production that leads to darker skin patches

across the body.

For example, the linea nigra, which is the faint line running from the pubic area to the belly

button. This often darkens quite significantly, which is noticeable to the person who is pregnant. 

Known as the mask of pregnancy, melasma appears as brown and gray patches on the face.

This can appear in various areas from the bridge of the nose to the forehead, cheeks, and chin.

You may also notice a darkening of existing areas that weren’t quite as dark as before. These

include the nipples, existing scars, and freckles. For this skin change, you could look at using

a broad-spectrum sunscreen to help prevent melasma from worsening. Again, like other skin

changes, most pigmentation will fade post-delivery.

Acne

Acne is pretty common for most people, regardless of whether they’re pregnant or not.

Hormonal surges, particularly with androgens, can lead to increased oil production. This results

in multiple breakouts, particularly within the first trimester.

To tackle signs of acne, it’s worth using a gentle, non-comedogenic skincare product.

Consulting with a healthcare provider is also helpful because not all skin treatments might be

safe for your baby. Some common acne medications, like retinoids, should be avoided where

possible.

Itching and rashes

Dry and itchy skin is extremely common when skin stretches, and moisture levels fluctuate as

a result. Regularly moisturizing your body is a good way of tackling this problem, and wearing

loose, cotton clothing too in order to offer relief.

In some cases, severe itching can indicate a more serious condition, like ICP, which warrants

immediate medical attention.

Spider veins

Another common skin appearance is that of spider veins. With increased blood volume and

circulation, combined with the pressure that’s put on the veins, these can cause tiny red blood

vessels to appear just beneath the skin’s surface. This is often on the face, arms, and neck.

Spider veins are usually harmless and will typically fade or disappear after the baby is born.

These skin changes are beneficial to discuss with your obstetrician or dermatologist, especially

in cases where you might be concerned about what’s appeared or happening to your skin.

Other changes that can occur during pregnancy

There are a number of other changes that can occur during pregnancy to be aware of.

Physical changes and common discomforts include the following:

Breasts

Your breasts will often become larger, fuller, and tender as they fill with breastmilk. The areolas

will often darken as mentioned above, and some women will leak yellow fluids from their

nipples, which is called colostrum, in their third trimester.

Skin and hair

Hormonal changes can often lead to the pregnancy glow. However, you can also deal with

acne or darkened skin patches as mentioned.

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Your hair will likely become thicker, too, and shinier. However, it’s important to note that it’s likely

your hair will thin out after birth.

Cardiovascular and respiratory

With blood volume increasing, your heart is working harder, and therefore, your heart rate will

likely increase. Breathing becomes faster and deeper as a result. That can cause shortness of

breath and dizziness. 

Urinary tract

With increased blood flow to the kidneys, this can lead to frequent urination, and that can also

come from a growing uterus putting pressure on the bladder too.

Leg cramps and swelling

Swelling in the legs and feet can occur due to fluid retention. Not only that, but you can often

have leg cramps and restless legs, especially at night when you’re trying to sleep.

Emotional and mental changes are worth mentioning too, and include:

-Mood swings - Hormonal changes and the stress of pregnancy often result in heightened

emotions.

-Anxiety and depression - Common to worry about the baby’s health, finances, and

everything that comes with parenthood. Feelings of sadness and anxiety can be intense

and last a lot longer than first imagined.

-Pregnancy brain - Many women experience brain fog or difficulty concentrating,

especially in their third trimester.

-Nesting instinct - A lot of moms-to-be have an intense urge to prepare the home and

surroundings for the little one’s arrival.

There can be a lot of changes during pregnancy and before your little one even makes their arrival on earth. Look out for these changes, and if you have any concerns, be sure to speak to your healthcare professional for guidance and advice.