Does Pregnancy Hurt?
Although pregnancy is different for each woman who experiences it, pain during pregnancy is quite rare. There may be some women who experience mild cramps in the early stages of pregnancy, but usually this will pass fairly quickly. If you do experience pain during your pregnancy, especially if the pain is accompanied by fresh blood, you should see your doctor as this may be an indication that something is wrong. Many women will agree that the only really painful part of pregnancy is the labour, and possibly the precursor to labour; the fake contractions known as Braxton Hicks. When actually giving birth to your baby it will be painful, but there are also several viable pain relief methods that can lessen the pain and make it more bearable, such as gas and air or the epidural.
Of course, just because pregnancy isn’t painful, that doesn’t mean it’s a walk in the park either. Many women can have a really hard time with morning sickness which may not actually limit itself to the mornings and may continue throughout your pregnancy. There is also fatigue to deal with, as your body will be working really hard to help your baby grow and will expend far more energy in the process, making you feel exhausted without actually doing anything as far as others are concerned. You will also need to eat more to meet the new energy demands of your body, and you may feel bloated, constipated and lethargic a lot of the time. Carrying around the extra weight of a baby inside you can also lead to back pain if you are not careful.
Does Pregnancy Cause Headaches?
Headaches are a very common problem during pregnancy in particular throughout the first and second trimesters. It’s uncommon for these headaches to signal any kind of problem and some women even suffer from migraines during the course of their pregnancy.
Pregnancy begins a whole range of different changes within your body including an increase in hormone levels, increase in blood and circulation. Typically, headaches caused by pregnancy will begin to disappear around the second trimester and it’s more uncommon for them to occur at all in the third trimester. As the body adjusts to the new settings you may find your headaches get much better. During the third trimester headaches can still occur however, these are mainly related to your posture and the extra weight your body has to carry around.
Does Pregnancy Cause Gas?
What Causes Gas?
Gas is made in two different ways, by either swallowing air or when the bacteria in your digestive system produce gas from the partially digested food. Normally the gas we swallow is released again from our stomach by burping however, some small amounts get passed down to be released through the intestinal tract. Typically flatulence is caused by the gas build up from bacteria in our intestines.
Does Pregnancy Cause Gas?
Everyone experiences gas throughout their lives and some more than others but on average we pass gas about 14 times per day totalling approximately 3 pints of gas. Gas and bloating are commonly experienced before you begin to show as pregnant. In many cases people will experience gas and bloating as a symptom of pregnancy. Many people will start to experience discomfort and wind throughout their pregnancy and you may find you have more similar digestive problems too.
Does Pregnancy Cause Constipation?
Many people suffer from constipation, and it is not an uncommon complaint at all among women. There are many causes of constipation and pregnancy can in fact increase the chances of it occurring. Some of the changes that take place in the body during pregnancy can lead to constipation, and only a few can be actively avoided. Let’s take a look at some of these changes and why they lead to constipation:
Dehydration
Morning sickness is extremely common and some women suffer from it more than others. What many women will have in common though is a distinct lack of fluids due to nausea and vomiting. It is vitally important to drink more than usual when suffering with morning sickness. For some women this may just be early on in their pregnancy and yet for others it can last a lot longer. If you don’t drink enough you may find that you become dehydrated which can lead to constipation or hard stools.
Does Pregnancy Cause Acne?
Acne is a very common occurrence in pregnant women even if you haven’t experienced acne problems before. It is especially common during the first three months of the pregnancy known as the first trimester.
How is Acne Caused?
Acne is caused by the increased secretions of sebum in your skin blocking up your pores. These blocked pores become infected with a bacterium which leads to swelling and inflammation. Hormones are typically a common cause of acne and it is particularly recurrent in teenagers. Acne isn’t caused by being dirty or greasy although these conditions can make acne worse by promoting the bacteria on the skin.