3 Alarmingly Weird Pregnancy Symptoms

Dentist Blog

When a woman is expecting, her body becomes a weird and wonderful entity. Before you even feel that first movement of your baby, you may begin to feel that your body is no longer your own. Some things are commonly known, discussed and expected: fatigue, morning sickness, food cravings, increased vaginal discharge, etc. However, other bewildering symptoms may cause a woman to wonder if her body is crumbling to pieces. The following three peculiar pregnancy symptoms are no need to worry; they are perfectly normal but definitely don't fit that "glowing with child" tale so many women innocently imagine.

Bleeding and Sore Gums

The first time your normal oral hygiene routine leaves your gums gushing blood can be terrifying. But have no fear, your swollen, bloody gums are a normal side effect from the first trimester on. This phenomenon is referred to by dental professionals as pregnancy gingivitis. It is caused by the change in hormones and increased blood flow, so there's really not much that can be done to prevent it. Some women are more susceptible to pregnancy gingivitis than others. To keep it under control as much as possible, follow these simple guidelines:

  1. Visit a family dentist, such as Havendale Dental Office PA, more often during your pregnancy. Getting your teeth professionally cleaned and checked every three months, rather than every six, can prevent the gingivitis from developing into periodontitis.
  2. Continue practicing a good oral hygiene habit at home, even on the days when all you want to do is fall right into bed. Regular brushing and flossing will help keep the gingivitis at bay. It is especially important to brush your teeth every time if you're one of the unfortunate people who experience vomiting episodes.

"Reptile Skin Syndrome"

Pesky hormones strike again when you notice that your skin becomes reptile-like. Your skin may become more leathery with patches of scaly, dry skin—again, this is completely normal and while it may make an expecting mother a tad self-conscious, it is nothing to worry about. Use a non-soap face wash once per day (more will most likely cause it to become worse) and use a sensitive skin moisturizer with an SPF. Drinking lots of water will also help replenish your flaky skin.

Spider Veins, Varicose Veins and Skin Growths

Some women experience protruding growths and veins on their stomachs, breasts and legs during pregnancy. Due to the increased blood flow, varicose veins and spider veins may become prominent. Most of time they are not a cause for worry, but make sure you mention them to your obstetrician during a visit just for peace of mind. Hormones may also cause skin tags to develop on your body, but typically these, along with the varicose and spider veins, fade after birth. Just be sure to avoid sitting or standing for prolonged periods of time, exercise regularly and wear support hose if you notice the veins getting worse.

These are just three of the more alarming and strange symptoms that can occur during pregnancy. Every woman is different and experiences different symptoms. While growing a child is a beautiful treasure, it may be accompanied by some not-so-beautiful things that cause many women to wonder what is happening to their bodies. Be sure to keep your doctor in the loop and try to enjoy the nine months!

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