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Changes in the Mother's Body During Pregnancy


From the moment of conception, the expectant mother is exposed to many changes, both psychologically, hormonally and physiologically. While there are great increases and decreases in the breasts, skin, blood circulation, organ functioning, hormone levels and all systems of the body, she also gains weight, which can reach serious dimensions due to the baby's volume, the water the body retains and excessive fat. Although all of these changes occur systematically, the expectant mother, who has lived her life with a very different system for years, may sometimes experience psychological problems due to the effects of these changes. In this case, while the psychological support received can help the mother, the systemic changes that occur in her body can be listed as follows;


  • From the first moment of pregnancy, the body's water retention function increases and the accumulated water causes swelling.

  • The number of free fat cells circulating in the blood and the cholesterol value increase, thus the fat accumulation also begins to increase.

  • The amount of iron needed decreases and more is needed. This need is not simple enough to be met with food and requires supplements .

  • The heart rate increases up to ten beats per minute, this increase causes more blood to be pumped and the amount of blood in the individual's body can be approximately doubled under normal conditions.

  • An increase in protein and white blood cell count is seen in blood values.

  • The immune system is more suppressed than normal

  • The diaphragm is seen to rise and the rib cage to expand more than normal, while at the same time there is an increase in the rate of blood clotting tendency.

  • The amount of sugar excreted in urine decreases and the urinary tract may widen due to pressure from the pelvis.

  • Again, due to the pressure from the pelvis, the need to urinate very frequently may be felt.

  • Problems such as bleeding or loss of teeth may be observed, while burning and vomiting may occur in the stomach due to the increase in gastric juice.

  • While the possibility of hemorrhoids, gallstone formation and spinal inclination increases, on the other hand, small-scale loosening and expansion are observed in the joints in the pelvic bone, also called the pelvic bone.

  • At the same time, spots on the skin, redness in the palms, darkening of the color in the abdominal area and enlargement and darkening of the nipples are observed, while from the second month of pregnancy, breast enlargement and stretch marks appear in many parts of the body.


What Should You Pay Attention to Regarding Cleanliness During Pregnancy?

During pregnancy, the mother-to-be undergoes many changes as a body, and on the other hand, it is possible for her to experience some illnesses due to the weakening of her immune system. These illnesses can be prevented by paying attention to the cleanliness of the genital area so that they do not harm the baby. At the same time, daily cleaning and care are also points that should be taken into consideration in order to prevent many illnesses. Especially in cleaning the genital area, extreme awareness and sensitivity should be taken, otherwise it is possible for the baby to catch germs from inside the vagina. In order to prevent this problem, first of all, you should know that cleaning does not mean constantly washing the vagina. Constantly washing the vagina will also remove the beneficial bacteria, therefore, you will prevent the presence of beneficial bacteria that fight bacteria. Another point to be considered after that is that genital area cleaners are only used for the outside of the vagina and should not be brought into contact with the inside. However, since it is known that bacteria in the vagina reproduce more in humid and warm environments, keeping the vagina dry and wearing cotton, breathable underwear play an important role. At the same time, going to the toilet as soon as you need to urinate and trying not to hold it in is the fastest way to remove bacteria from the body, and you should take care to clean from front to back.


What are the Proper Nutrition Methods During Pregnancy?

During the first three months of pregnancy, the mother-to-be experiences hormonal changes along with many changes in her body, and as a result, some conditions such as nausea, weakness, and dizziness may occur. Another fact in the first three months is that the baby is not affected by the mother's diet . In other words, the mother can consume foods that will make her feel better and are good for her during this difficult process, but she should not be forced to consume anything just because she thinks it will be beneficial. However, unlike the first three months, very serious conscious consumption should be made in the other months. The mother-to-be, who is relieved by the regulation of her hormones, should be careful to consume the necessary amount of fish, eggs , vitamins, calcium, and minerals, and should definitely stay away from alcohol and cigarettes.


Is the Father's Role Important During Pregnancy?

The pregnancy period causes extremely physical and systematic changes for the mother-to-be, and psychological emotional intensities and sudden emotional changes can be detected. During this period, the mother can withdraw into herself, be extremely nervous, overly emotional or extremely fearful, but the person who must keep her on her feet strongly during this period and who must first understand that this period is temporary and then convince her husband is the father. The father must be understanding and support his wife in every way so that the mother-to-be feels good during this process. Because even if the mother does not accept what he says, she will feel more comfortable and happier psychologically. For this reason, both the mother and the father experience many situations that they have never seen before during pregnancy, but it is very important for the father-to-be to constantly remind her that these situations are temporary, that pregnancy suits her husband very well, that they will have beautiful days with their babies and that he is always by her side. The father-to-be going to the doctor with the mother-to-be, being with her at all times, holding her hand and supporting her out of nowhere, makes the mother-to-be feel more comfortable psychologically, and therefore, allows her to overcome hormonal ups and downs more easily.

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