Your pregnant body

• Your body goes through major changes during pregnancy.
• Weight gain, breast changes and aches and pains are common.
• There are ways to deal with common discomforts and changes.

During pregnancy, your body will go through major changes. Weight gain is the most obvious change that you’ll notice. Gaining the right amount of weight during pregnancy helps protect your and your baby’s health.

How many pounds you need to add depends on how much you weighed before getting pregnant. Most healthy women should gain 25-35 pounds during pregnancy.

Some women who were overweight before pregnancy may face special health risks, so it’s important to take steps to keep mom and baby safe. Regardless of your pre-pregnancy weight, make sure you keep track of your pregnancy weight gain.

Hormone changes can make certain parts of your body more sensitive that usually. Your breasts may start to feel tender in the first trimester. You may notice that your gums are inflamed and bleed. The hair on your head is thicker than usual. Your skin goes through its own set of changes. You may have more acne, or your skin can become itchy or get darker. These changes are normal during pregnancy and most go away after the baby is born.

You may also experience some aches and pains during pregnancy. Most are common and thankfully, there are ways to help alleviate them.