1) What are the basic changes that occur in the skin?
The most common changes that occur on the skin during pregnancy are the skin color changes that occur with the 7th month of pregnancy. This is usually seen in dark-skinned women as a slight darkening of the skin color around the nipples, genital area and belly.
At the same time, during this period, small spots may also appear on the face due to the effect of the sun. These spots, which are mostly seen during pregnancy, disappear on their own after a while after birth without any intervention.
Due to the tension in the skin, stretch marks may appear, usually around the chest, abdomen and hip areas. The color of the stretch marks, which are initially bluish purple, turns white after birth.
The increase in cortisone, which occurs with the help of the adrenal glands, affects the elastic fibers in the skin and causes them to change. However, it is known that products, creams and massages that are used regularly and are suitable for your skin are also beneficial.
2) Basic physiological changes that occur in the cardiovascular system
During pregnancy, the heartbeat becomes faster than normal. Thus, the rate of blood that needs to be pumped into the body in 1 minute naturally increases. Blood pressure increases with the 7th month of pregnancy. The level of this increase is noticed in diastolic values. When the expectant mother lies on her back in bed, blood pressure reaches minimum values. However, an increase in heart rate can also be observed. Blood flow in the kidneys can decrease by almost half. This condition is expressed as Vena-Cava-Compression syndrome.
When lying down, the lower vein, which carries blood from the lower body to the heart, can be compressed by the baby's weight and cause this condition. For these reasons, doctors do not recommend expectant mothers to lie on their backs, especially in the last trimester.
Blood volume routinely increases until the 36th week of pregnancy. This condition refers to low hemoglobin or hematocrit (percentage of red blood cells in the total blood volume) values, which are very common in expectant mothers. This condition is also referred to as natural pregnancy anemia. This condition has many benefits for the blood circulation in the placenta, where the baby is fed with blood transferred from the mother. In this way, circulation increases.
It is also accepted that the upper limit of hemoglobin values is almost 12% at the time of birth. If these values are even lower, additional iron supplementation is required.
Apart from these, there is also a significant increase in the number of white blood cells. White blood cells are responsible for the body's immune system.
3) Basic changes in the kidneys and urinary tract
Regarding the reason for the increase in blood volume during pregnancy, it also causes an increase in kidney blood circulation. As a result of this situation, pregnant women feel the need to go to the toilet frequently because more urine is formed.
When the baby, which continues to develop in the womb, puts pressure on the bladder, the mother-to-be feels the need to go to the toilet. Along with the increase in urine values, there is also an increase in the level of sugar in the urine. The kidneys can only filter a certain amount of sugar, not all of it. In such a situation, the possibility of gestational diabetes should not be ignored and attention should be paid.
The increased sugar level in urine creates a suitable environment for bacteria to multiply. This explains why expectant mothers often face urinary tract infections.
4) Changes in the lungs
In the early stages of pregnancy, expectant mothers have to face the problem of shortness of breath.
Each breath taken increases the volume and depth of respiration. Since this increase is greater than the oxygen needed, hyperventilation occurs. The most important reason for this is related to the changes in the gas concentrations and reserves in the blood. A pregnant mother becomes out of breath much more quickly than a non-pregnant woman.
5) Changes in the mouth, stomach and intestinal system
The higher probability of tooth decay compared to normal times is related to the changes seen in saliva content. In addition, an increase in saliva secretion is also observed in expectant mothers.
The stomach changes its position during pregnancy. Due to the growing uterus, the stomach shifts to the left and rotates. During the first 20 weeks of pregnancy, there is a decrease in acid secretion. After this week, it returns to its previous state until birth. The decrease in acid is considered to be the reason for the healing seen in stomach ulcers during pregnancy.
The reason for the very common heartburn complaints is the smooth muscles that relax. The closing mechanism between the stomach and the esophagus cannot fully perform its function and when the stomach is placed in a lying position, the acidic stomach content comes back into the esophagus. Due to this reason, severe esophagitis is seen.
If you want to find solutions to these problems during pregnancy, all you need to do is pay attention to your diet. The first thing you need to do in the morning is to drink a glass of water and plenty of water throughout the day. Foods rich in fiber should be eaten and moving around a lot will help to minimize and prevent these problems.
6) Changes in the liver and its metabolism
In a pregnant woman, carbohydrate metabolism is almost the most affected. In order to provide the baby with the necessary amount of carbohydrates continuously, the body tries to prevent the mother's sugar from being taken into the cells, taking into account the effect of insulin. In addition, the hormone produced in the placenta also causes an increase in the mother's blood sugar levels.
During pregnancy, there is an increase in the amount of protein coming into the body, while there is a decrease in the excretion of this protein. This situation is known as positive nitrogen balance. In this way, cellular proteins are formed in the baby. The level of albumin, which is a protein that acts as a carrier in the blood, begins to decrease in the last 3 months of pregnancy. In general, water accumulates in the veins through protein, and this is called oncotic pressure. With the decrease in proteins, the tissues retain more water, causing edema.
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