Sara Cyrbja
The unfiltered impact of pregnancy is a profound and transformative journey, whether witnessed in others or experienced firsthand. This enduring path is marked by joy, accompanied by numerous challenges that test the resilience and bravery of mothers, ultimately revealing their strength.
1. “Excess Belly Skin / Skin texture.”
Loose skin following pregnancy is mainly attributed to pregnancy hormones and abdominal stretching. The body releases Relaxin during pregnancy, a hormone that relaxes abdominal ligaments to accommodate the baby’s growth. However, this natural process may lead to loose skin postpartum.
2. “Pregnancy changing my hair color! I dye it platinum, it normally grows back dark blonde, but now it’s growing back platinum.”
In specific cases, women may notice a deepening of hair color, irrespective of their original shade, during pregnancy or post-delivery. Hormonal shifts, a key factor in various pregnancy-related transformations, are implicated in this phenomenon.
3. “My toenail grew in extra thick during my pregnancy, then abruptly stopped growing thick once I gave birth to my son.”
Throughout pregnancy, the nutritional requirements of your growing baby may occasionally result in deficiencies in your body, impacting the texture and strength of your nails. It is crucial to maintain a well-balanced diet that delivers all the essential nutrients for both you and your baby.
4. “Pregnancy acne is the worst!”
During the first two trimesters of pregnancy, your body generates elevated levels of reproductive hormones, including progesterone and androgens. This hormonal surge amplifies skin oil production, leading to increased pore blockage. As a result, you may notice the emergence of pimples on areas like your face, neck, chest, or back.
5. “I’ve developed stretch marks post-pregnancy.”
Stretch marks arising during pregnancy resemble scar tissue, manifesting as indented streaks on the skin with colors like pink, red, black, blue, or purple. Initially, they may feel slightly raised but gradually transform into subtle depressions over time.
6. Pregnancy edema
Edema, frequently experienced in pregnancy, involves the retention of fluids crucial for nourishing both the mother and the baby. Due to normal pregnancy-related transformations, your body’s water content rises by around 6.5 liters or up to 15 pounds by the term’s conclusion. This surplus is vital for sustaining the developing fetus, placenta, amniotic fluid, and maternal blood volume.
7. “I used to be a 1c/2a hair type. Couldn’t hold a curl for more than an hour but with lots of thick hair. After my kids, my hair is now 2c, I think.”
Hormones not only impact hair but also influence muscles, such as the occipitofrontalis muscle responsible for scalp and eyebrow movement. Changes in muscle tone can reshape hair follicles and alter their growth direction.
8. “6 years struggling to lose the weight from my latest pregnancy, but I’m still not where I started.”
Shedding post-pregnancy weight can be tougher than expected, influenced by factors like sleep issues, breastfeeding, and hormonal imbalances. The optimal goal is to reclaim your pre-pregnancy weight within 6 to 12 months post-delivery. Approximately six weeks after giving birth, most women naturally lose about half the gained weight, and the rest diminishes gradually. Embrace your journey, acknowledging the body’s transformative process during pregnancy; be proud of your accomplishments, irrespective of the outcomes.
Experiencing parenthood stands as one of life’s most remarkable accomplishments. Witnessing your children’s growth and guiding them through new learning experiences brings joy and excitement.
Did you relate to the unfiltered impact of pregnancy personal experiences?
