Giving birth to a baby is one of the most amazing events that any woman can have. It is the miracle of actually carrying a life inside a womb and ushering the baby out into the world that makes all the harsh effects of pregnancy all worth it. And there are a lot of adverse effects of pregnancy on the woman’s body.
Harsh Reality
Although most women we know do have such harsh complications during pregnancy, actual reports have been made on the effects of pregnancy on the human body. These events occur because of the changes that are happening inside. Hormones are being secreted to support the baby. Adjustments are being made to accommodate the increase in the size of the unborn child. Sometimes, the body reacts in ways that we do not expect.
In a report provided by the CDC or Center for Disease Control and Prevention, pregnancy complications can range from being mild to severe. Some can even be life-threatening to both the mother and the child. This becomes more difficult as the woman cannot readily determine if these complications are caused by the pregnancy or coming from a different source of illness. We always recommend asking the help of a doctor or physician to determine the complications that are caused by having a baby.
Skin Complications
One of the effects of being pregnant is a skin problem. In a study conducted by the NCBI or National Center for Biotechnology Information, it is determined that more than 90 percent of women who are pregnant undergoes a particular change in their skin. This is a relief for some who find it quite peculiar to have skin problems during pregnancy. But just as any kind of effect, they are still dependent on the response of the body to the causes of skin problems.
Skin Problems Caused by Pregnancy
After knowing how common it is to experience skin changes in the body during pregnancy, we will now find out more about the skin problems that some of the pregnant women can experience:
Stretch Marks
This is the most common skin problem that pregnant women experience during pregnancy. Stretch marks are reddish marks that streaks on the belly and under the breasts. The scientific term for stretch marks is Striaegravidarum. For those who just got pregnant, here is a tip. Do not go all out on the eating. Stretch marks usually occur when the baby grows too fast that the skin is not able to keep up.
When you manage your food intake and you always check your skin every week and every month, you will lessen the risk of getting stretch marks on your body. Ask your doctor about the average gain in weight for a woman every month of pregnancy to have a clearer understanding of what your weight should be.
Acne
Another skin problem that you can have during pregnancy is acne. This can be a cause of concern especially for those who did not get any acne during their childhood.
Acne during pregnancy almost always happens during the first and second trimester. This is because your body is producing androgen. Androgen is a hormone that determines the sexual characteristics of the baby. But at the same time, androgen affects the skin of the mother by increasing the level of sebum production. Sebum is an oily substance that can block the skin pores and cause a breakout of acne.
How do you remedy this? You need to ask your doctor first on the solution to your acne problem especially if you are leaning toward using medicines. An alternative is to use natural treatments like using honey, apple cider vinegar, coconut oil or honey and applying any of these organic chemicals in the affected area.
Hyperpigmentation
Hyperpigmentation is a term used when some parts of the skin become darker than the rest of the body. These patches usually occur in parts that are exposed to the sun like the face, arms, and legs. To avoid experiencing hyperpigmentation or melasma can be prevented by using sunscreens with high levels of protection against ultraviolet rays. If the hyperpigmentation is primarily caused by pregnancy, doctors mostly guarantee that it will come to pass after childbirth.
Hirsutism
Hirsutism is the sudden decrease or increase in the production of hair in different parts of the body. This may occur on the face, on the arms, chest, legs, shoulders, and at the back. Some women may even experience the thickening of the scalp of hair during pregnancy. The culprit is, again, androgen. It is the secretion of too much androgen that causes the body to undergo this condition.
Hirsutism usually goes away six months after giving birth. Women who are concerned due to cosmetic reasons can use natural treatments like waxing, plucking, or shaving. If hirsutism occurs well after six months, you need to schedule a checkup with your physician.
Pruritic Urticarial Papules and Plaques of Pregnancy
This is the red rash that shows up around the stretch marks during pregnancy. The main effect of this skin problem, aside from the visual condition, is itchiness. This becomes predominant in the last trimester of pregnancy where the skin is stretched the most. PUPPP does not have any adverse effects but the itchiness can be annoying for some. Doctors recommend using topical corticosteroids and systemic corticosteroids for extreme cases.
Conclusion
Pregnant women may take opposing sides regarding the skin effects of being pregnant with a child. Some will just let the skin problem occur, knowing that it will soon come to pass after nine months or less. Some will be too paranoid that they will never have a chance to enjoy the process of pregnancy. Here is an advice. Be neither of our examples.
Consult a professional physician to know and understand the skin problem that you are currently facing but do not panic when something that does not usually happen to you occurs during pregnancy. Take precautionary measures as much as possible. And you should love the whole experience of pregnancy.