When I was pregnant with my first child, it felt life my entire life had changed, I mean a lot was happening inside this body of mine, some I could handle, while (I'm sure most of you will agree with me that) some were completely unstoppable.
There were times where I would be ridiculously tired or throwing up like it was no man's business but this symptom didn't beat some of the really (embarrassing) ones I was experiencing and I know some of you are experiencing these symptoms too, this is totally normal and it is important to not be shy.
Here are ways to handle some of these symptoms:
Acne
You needed to have seen my face during my pregnancy, it was as if everyone who had pimples in the world came to deposit them on my face!. But this is totally normal especially during the first trimester, this is because of the additional hormones in your system. Not all pregnant women experience this, but if you do it is best to use products containing salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and azelaic acid can also be used but in small amounts.
Odors
During my pregnancy, I noticed I had developed a stronger odor (which wasn't so pleasant I must confess). Some women Some women develop a stronger sense of smell during pregnancy, it may be strong food odors, such as poultry or seafood while some women begin picking up on their own scent (vaginally) which can be embarrassing, this could be because you have more mucus down there.
But do not be alarmed because your scent hasn't gotten stronger, it is your sense of smell that has improved. All you need to do is inform your doctor about any odor which can safe be treated with antifungals
Excess Gas
Being pregnant can make you a little 'gas-sy', this is because of the hormonal surge that can slow down your gastrointestinal tract, which means you don't have the same control over your muscles during pregnancy so you might not be able to keep that fart to yourself
One time I was at an important meeting and because I could not hold the fart, I let it all out and I thought to myself "Oh my gosh, did I really just fart in front of these people? How can I show my face again?"
Though you can't erase the problem, you can reduce your tendency toward gassiness with exercise and changes in your diet. Exercise helps increase the motility of the gastrointestinal tract, allowing food to move through faster, which means, less time it has to sit around and ferment, the less gas is produced.
Also, some foods are more likely to produce gas, so the best bet is to avoid them completely like, carbonated drinks, beans, broccoli, dried fruit, even milk. If at all you have to drink milk, try lactose-free milk or other calcium-rich foods if you’re lactose intolerant.
Constipation
This is one story most pregnant women will be uncomfortable to share, even I had a fair share.
Hemorrhoids often occur with constipation and the straining that ensues in an attempt to have a bowel movement, which makes constipation one of the most common complaints in pregnancy.
You can reduce your risk of developing hemorrhoids by avoiding constipation. You have to stay well-hydrated, eat more fiber, also consult your doctor about supplementary fiber as well.
Facial Hair
Even though what I experienced was a change in my hair texture and color, some women because of the hormones start growing hair in wanted places during pregnancy, hormones are responsible for hair growing in unwanted places and they can be on the breast, abdomen and even the face!
One remedy in handling this is to wax or tweeze the hair as this is the safest methods for hair removal during pregnancy.
Incontinence
To be honest involuntarily leaking urine because of a jarring cough, sneeze, or laugh can be embarrassing especially when you are standing among friends or co-workers. Even if you only lose a few drops, it can still feel embarrassing.
In situations like this, I recommend you wear panty liners to catch leaks during the last few months of pregnancy when stress incontinence is more likely because as the baby grows and the uterus enlarges, the baby ends up sitting right on top of the bladder. Also, regular trips to the bathroom can also help, try to empty your bladder at least every two hours even if you don't really feel like it.
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