WHY PREGNANCY IS ALMOST AN OUTER-BODY EXPERIENCE

… and why women easily get cranky when they are pregnant

We all feel like we constantly need to walk on eggshells when we were around pregnant ladies. We need to watch out the thing we talk, we do and even at times the things we eat. Pregnant women has hypersensitive senses and before we place our judgement, there are things about being pregnant really changes a person, and why it is almost and outer-body experience:

1.  Pregnancy brings forth a variety of hormonal and physiological changes

Estrogen and progesterone levels rise suddenly and dramatically in pregnant women. A number of other hormones’ amounts and functions are also altered in them. These changes have an impact on more than simply mood.

The main pregnancy hormones are oestrogen and progesterone. During a pregnancy, a woman produces more oestrogen than she does throughout her whole life. During pregnancy, oestrogen levels rise, allowing the uterus and placenta to:

• Have better vascularization (the formation of blood vessels)
• Allow nutritional transfer
• Assist the baby’s development

Estrogen levels rise continuously throughout pregnancy, peaking in the third trimester. Some of the nausea associated with pregnancy may be caused by the rapid increase in oestrogen levels during the first trimester. It is important for the development of milk ducts, which enlarges the breasts, during the second trimester.

During pregnancy, progesterone levels are also quite high. Laxity or loosening of ligaments and joints occurs as progesterone levels fluctuate throughout the body. Furthermore, high amounts of progesterone cause internal structures, such as the ureters, to grow in size. The ureters are tubes that link the kidneys to the bladder of the mother. Progesterone is also necessary for the transformation of the uterus from a non-pregnant state to a state which can accommodate a baby.

2. While these hormones are essential for a healthy pregnancy, they can also make exercise more challenging.

Pregnant women may be more susceptible to ankle and knee sprains and strains because their ligaments are looser. However, no known studies have found that the risk of injury increases during pregnancy.

3. The entire posture of a pregnant lady alters.

Her breasts are a little bigger. Her abdomen changes shape from flat or concave to highly convex, causing her back to curve more. The combined impact causes her centre of gravity to move forward, potentially altering her sense of balance.

4. Pregnancy weight gain increases the burden placed on the body by any physical activity.

The increased weight and gravity impede blood and body fluid circulation, especially in the lower limbs. Pregnant women retain fluid and have swelling of the face and limbs as a result. The weight of the water adds another another constraint to activity. The body’s inability to handle pre-pregnancy levels of activity is typically due to weight increase. This is true even for the most experienced, top, or professional athlete. Increased pain during exercise can be caused by round ligament tension, uterine enlargement, and pelvic instability caused by ligament laxity.

5. During pregnancy, the majority of women notice alterations in their perception of taste.

Pregnant women tend to favour saltier and sweeter meals than non-pregnant women. They have a better tolerance for intense sour, salty, and sweet flavours as well. Dysgeusia, or a loss of taste sensation, is most often encountered during the first trimester of pregnancy.

6. Pregnant women may also experience alterations in their sense of smell.

Many people report increased sensitivity to a wide range of smells. There is little consistent and credible evidence that pregnant women are more sensitive to specific smells and their intensity than their non-pregnant counterparts.

7. Furthermore, up to 70% of pregnant women have skin darkening on the face.

Melasma, or the “mask” of pregnancy, is the name for this disorder. Sun exposure and radiation can aggravate it, so wear a broad-spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen every day while pregnant. Melasma usually goes away after pregnancy. This will also affect their body image and overall confidence.

All these changes and alteration that takes place in a women body to carry another human being inside their body are physically and mentally challenging. Always be mindful and offers help and support as they are going through a life-changing experience during pregnancy.