There are plenty of positive symptoms the baby books prepare you for during pregnancy. Besides the growing baby bump there’s an ample bosom, a luxurious head of hair and possibly a turned-on partner – yup, is seems as if most men tend to see the sensuality in blossoming breasts and soft curves!
One prevalent myth is that all pregnant women experience the “pregnant glow”. According to dr. Judey Pretorius, biomedical scientist and founder of Biomedical Emporium, the pregnant glow is due to increased blood flow, fluctuating hormone levels and an increase in oil production, and is sadly, not on the cards for all pregnant women.
So mama-to-be, understanding what to expect can realistically reduce anxiety and promote a more informed pregnancy journey. Something you were probably not expecting was changes in your facial features. Savannah Scott Lenfestey shared a video on TikTok which shows how much her face has changed during her pregnancy. In the clip, Savannah shares a series of screenshots of her face that reads: “My face before pregnancy vs. during pregnancy.” The change was significant, and her video quickly went viral racking up over 2.9 million views with followers sharing their own experiences.
Increased blood circulation in your mucous membranes could cause your nose to look bigger and broader, and this can cause your appearance to change quite a bit. Your eyes might seem puffy, and your face will become rounder and chubbier. Also carrying the extra weight can increase your blood pressure, which in turn could affect your skin tone. Broken capillaries could cause red spider veins on your cheeks and forehead.
Acne is also extremely common among pregnant women and is not, according to the myth, a sign of your baby’s gender. Fluctuating hormones and increased oil production may lead to clogged pores and cause an increase in breakouts. So no, girls definitely don’t steal their mother’s beauty!
Ever heard of the “pregnancy mask” also known as melasma? This occurs when a steep rise in the hormones estrogen and progesterone stimulates excess melanin production. For some it may look like freckles, but for others, it may be large brown blotchy patches.
Loss of eyelashes and eyebrows are common when your diet does not include enough protein or vitamin content, or if you have a malfunctioning thyroid.
Although there is no secret sauce to feeling pretty while pregnant, there are some strategies that can help you feeling and looking your best. So, be kind to yourself and be serious about self-care. Pamper your body and your skin. Be sure to get enough rest and remember to hydrate and eat well. Also, ask for, and accept help when you need to.
While it can be challenging to watch your body (as well as your facial features) change, never lose sight of the end goal. Your body is doing an extraordinary job: Making a tiny human.
Source: ncbi.nim.nih.gov, mamamagic.co.za, epidermatology.com, brittanic.com, parenting.firstcry.com, unmhealth.org, cosmopolitan.com, gautenglifestylemagazine.co.za, healthline.com, babycenter.com
