Our bodies undergo some of the most pronounced changes that we will ever experience during pregnancy. Though temporary, it’s not uncommon for new moms to be overwhelmed by this speedy transformation. Fortunately, this isn’t a cause for worry because your body knows exactly what to do and how to do it (thanks to thousands of years of evolution).

Before we dive further in, it should be noted that the intensity of these symptoms varies vastly from person to person. They involve mood swings and hormonal rushes to changes in blood volume, and everything in between.

Without further delay, let’s take a closer look at your body:

Your Endocrine System

The first thing that’ll leave you sick to your core during your early pregnancy stages, both literally and figuratively, will be your sudden mood swings and unusual energy levels. This hormonal rush that greets you before anything else can leave a sour taste in your mouth in the long run if you don’t figure out a way to deal with it.

The symptoms include feeling highly emotional, moody, and even drained thanks to the Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), human placental lactogen (hPL), estrogen, and progesterone hormones running wild in your body.

• HCG: A hormone produced by your placenta that can cause nausea during the first trimester. It is produced to help your body during implantation and gestation.
• hPL: Prepared by the placenta, hPL stimulates the growth of milk glands in your breasts to enable breastfeeding.
• Estrogen: It is a hormone that is released in copious amounts to support your pregnancy through the initial stages.
• Progesterone: A hormone that helps with implantation and the loosening of your joints to accommodate the growing uterus.

Taste and Smell

Call it a gift or a curse, but it’s no secret that the senses of taste and smell are affected by pregnancy. Your senses will become acute, and you’ll find differentiating between smells to be much easier. Your appetite may also change; depending on your previous diet, you may crave food that you’ve never had before or start to dislike food that you once loved.

As daunting as this may sound, this is all a result of changing hormones; call it your personal ‘Spidey Sense,’ if you will. This heightened state ensures that you don’t eat something that could harm you or your fetus as your body undergoes birth changes.

Weight and Fluid Retention

The sudden increase in weight is inevitable during pregnancy – you can gain anywhere from 25-35 pounds – which is completely normal. Most of this weight is gained during the second and third trimester.

As your hunger and need for calories increases, you should prioritize nutritional foods and avoid dieting at all costs. Experts have concluded that dieting during pregnancies can lead to complications, since usual dieting regimens include restricting iron, folic acid, and other vitamins and minerals that are important for the baby.

Water retention in your limbs is also very common, especially if you are pregnant in the summer; this may cause swelling and a bit of discomfort, but rest assured, it will come to pass. What is important is that you do not skip your fluid intake and stay hydrated.

Blood Volume and Circulation

Your blood volume will increase to support both your own body as well as your child’s. To ensure this process goes swimmingly, you must take iron-rich nutrients to prevent pregnancy anemia.

These changes in your blood volume and circulation can also cause dizziness and fainting, so remember to stay off your feet as much as possible, wear loose-fitting clothes, and stay away from heat.

Your Breasts, Uterus, and Cervix

During your pregnancy, you will start to notice changes in your breasts as they enlarge and prepare themselves to breastfeed the little one that’s on their way. In the first trimester, they will be sore and grow because of the formation of milk glands and milk ducts. This, of course, is completely normal.

Your uterus will also undergo severe changes during your pregnancy, growing up to the size of a watermelon right before birth. However, this is only temporary as it will return to its former state just a few weeks after birth.

Another part of your body that is affected by pregnancy is your cervix, as it thickens and forms a mucus plug. You will notice your cervix soften as it gets ready to thin out and dilate for pregnancy.

Hair, Nails, and Skin

Now we get to the best part, your hair. Thanks to the release of all these hormones, you will start to notice your hair take a more fuller turn, as it’ll start to grow faster, much like your nails. But as your postpartum period approaches, your hair will even itself out because of hair fall (so much for the silver lining).

This isn’t all; you can also expect some pretty changes to your skin as you experience the “pregnancy glow” that most women have during pregnancies. This is likely a result of the hormones and increase in blood volumes.

A Welcoming Party

Pregnancy can prove to be a challenging time for new mothers, but what comes after is even sweeter and adorable. So you must greet your little one in the best way possible, and you can only accomplish that by taking care of yourself.

Here are a few steps to ensure you stay in peak condition:

• Get yourself a nursing bra for your growing breasts
• Purchase a nursing pillow and a breast pump ahead of the birth
• Browse the children’s toys sections online as a means to de-stress