Skin Changes During Pregnancy and What to Do About Them

Pregnancy can be a joyful time but the release of hormones can cause unexpected changes to your skin. Not every woman will experience these changes, but below are seven skin changes that are common.

Stretch Marks

The American Pregnancy Association stated that almost 90 percent of women develop stretch marks during pregnancy. Stretch marks appear as pink or reddish streaks along your abdomen, thighs or breasts.

There is no proven method to reduce stretch marks but lotions using vitamin E and alpha hydroxy acids have been reported to improve their appearance.

Mask of Pregnancy (Chloasma)

According to Dr. Sears, facial color changes may appear in the second trimester called chloasma or the “mask of pregnancy”. Pregnancy hormones stimulate the melanin in the cells to release more pigment.

This increase in color may not occur uniformly so a blotchy tanned look may appear on your face. There is no way to avoid the release of hormones but limiting your exposure to the sun or UV light may decrease the appearance of chloasma.

Use a good sunscreen on your face and wear hats that help block the sun.

Pimples

Extra hormones during pregnancy increase oil production so acne may increase. Wash your face twice a day with a mild fragrance-free soap. Avoid using typical acne products that may contain medicine that is not recommended during pregnancy.

Use a plain astringent such as witch hazel and follow with an oil-free moisturizer. Consult a dermatologist if you have any concerns about which products to use.

Linea Nigra

Many women have a faint line that extends from the top of their public area to their belly button. During the second trimester, this line may darken and is then called linea nigra. Linea nigra is often darker in dark-complected women, but may lighten again several months after pregnancy.

Darkened Pigmentation

Your nipples and areola may also darken but unlike in the case of a linea nigra, they are less likely to lighten again after pregnancy. Other skin spots such as freckles or moles may darken.

Consult a dermatologist if the moles seem to have changed in other ways such as in size, developed irregular borders or seem more risen.

Guide to the first trimester of pregnancy

The early stages of pregnancy can be the most intense, as the excitement and physical changes can seem to hit you all at once. The first major physical symptoms will be the tell-tale missed period, along with breast tenderness, fatigue and morning sickness. Your mood can rise and fall quickly in the first trimester of pregnancy, and you may need to urinate more often.

 

Your body will take some time to adjust to the higher hormone levels, but rest assured that the uncomfortable symptoms will likely not last for too long. Early pregnancy can bring lots of surprises, some of which may be frightening or worrisome. Here is an overview of what you can expect to experience in each week of your first trimester, from conception to week 13.

First Trimester of Pregnancy Week by Week

1 Week Pregnant – The first of your 40 weeks of pregnancy begins on the first day of your last period, which means that you are not yet pregnant. Conception typically occurs about two weeks after your period begins, but it is easier to project a due date based on the start of your period than on the specific date of conception.


2 Weeks Pregnant – The uterus is forming a new endometrial layer, and an egg is maturing in one of your ovaries, which will be released the following week.

3 Weeks Pregnant – Following ovulation, your egg will be fertilized by the sperm in one of the two fallopian tubes, forming a zygote made of 23 of your partner's chromosomes and 23 of your own. During this week, your progesterone levels will spike and prevent menstruation.

4 Weeks Pregnant – The zygote will become a blastocyst and will burrow into your uterine lining. Although spotting during pregnancy can indicate complications, some women experience what is known as implantation bleeding at this stage, which is typically a very small amount of spotting around the time of your expected period and nothing to be worried about.

5 Weeks Pregnant – The blastocyst turns into an embryo at this stage, and your period is about a week late. Many women begin to experience breast soreness, fatigue and morning sickness as the level of the HCG hormone increases rapidly.

6 Weeks Pregnant – The embryo is growing and its heart begins to pump blood; you may notice that your waistline has started growing, too. Your sense of smell is heightened, and you may feel faint or dizzy when you stand up too quickly. Now is the time to assess your pregnancy diet and lifestyle because embryonic development is particularly vulnerable to what you put in your body at this stage.

7 Weeks Pregnant – Your hormonal changes could begin to give your skin a healthy glow or, if you are unlucky, result in a breakout of acne. Although you may not be showing yet, you may be feeling constipated as a result of slowing digestion and an increasing blood supply. The embryo's organs, limbs and facial features are developing quickly.

8 Weeks Pregnant – Your uterus is growing, putting pressure on your bladder. Your breasts might still be tender, and you may notice that your nipples are becoming darker. The embryo, now about an inch long, will form eyes and teeth. This is the week that the gender will be determined.

9 Weeks Pregnant – Although some women may lose a little weight due to morning sickness, most will be gaining weight steadily. When women experience bleeding during the first trimester, it is usually during this week, and a small amount of spotting or breakthrough bleeding is completely normal. The embryo will begin to develop bones and form fingers and toes.

10 Weeks Pregnant – Your veins may become more noticeable as your blood volume increases even more, and you might feel warmer and moodier. You should continue to gain weight, but be sure to eat a nutritious diet to keep your energy up and both of you healthy. Moderate pregnancy exercise will help tame mood swings.

11 Weeks Pregnant – Your uterus is over twice its usual size, and you may be able to feel it if you press your belly just above the pubic bone. The embryo is now a fetus, and the genitals will be formed by the end of the week.

12 Weeks Pregnant – Some of your discomfort will finally be relieved – the uterus will shift away from your bladder, your morning sickness may let up and you will soon begin to feel energetic and


Second Trimester

Third Trimester

28 weeks pregnant to 40 weeks pregnant

The general calmness of the second trimester will often give way to more physical discomforts and rigorous preparation in the third trimester. Leg cramping, back pain and itchy skin are common symptoms of third trimester pregnancy, as the fetus gains weight rapidly. You may have difficulty finding a comfortable sleeping position, but despite the fatigue, many women feel energized when they begin to "nest," or prepare the house for the baby's arrival. Here is what you can look forward to in every week of your third trimester of pregnancy.


You have likely gained as much as 25 pounds by now, and your breasts are producing quite a bit of colostrum, the precursor to breast milk. Your healthcare provider may conduct an Rh test to determine the compatibility of the fetus's blood with your blood. The fetus now has lungs that are capable of breathing air and hair that is beginning to gain color.

29 Weeks Pregnant – The volume of blood in your body has doubled by this point, and you may lose some of the energy you had gained in the second trimester. Heartburn can become a nuisance as the uterus continues to crowd your stomach. The fetus will require more nutrition than ever during this trimester, so pay close attention to your pregnancy diet and get a lot of sleep.

30 Weeks Pregnant – Shifting positions in bed can be a difficult task, so you may want to invest in some silk or satin sheets to make it easier to move. Try to lie on your left side when you sleep, as this will allow blood to flow easily through the vena cava. The fetus's brain is maturing quickly now, and you may feel less movement as it takes up more space in the uterus.

31 Weeks Pregnant – It is completely normal to begin to leak some colostrum at this point, but not every woman will do so. You may also find yourself waddling as the ligaments in your hips begin to soften in preparation for childbirth. The fetus's irises are now responsive to light, and fat deposits are forming under the skin

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32 Weeks Pregnant – The uterus typically measures about five inches above the belly button now, and you will probably gain about one pound each week until the end of your pregnancy. You might feel a little short of breath at times, so be prepared to rest more often. Most fetuses will weigh over three pounds at this stage, and will continue to gain more weight than length until birth.

33 Weeks Pregnant – Swelling in the legs and ankles is normal, but mention any sudden increase in swelling or severe headaches to your doctor. You may also experience tingling or numbness in the wrists and fingers. The uterus contains about two pints of amniotic fluid at this point, and space is getting tight.

34 Weeks Pregnant – Your blood pressure will probably be slightly higher now, and you should increase your water intake to counter any swelling or constipation you may be experiencing. Your doctor or healthcare provider will be able to estimate the fetus's weight and size at this point, and it is developing immunities to mild infections.

35 Weeks Pregnant – Many women will begin to experience wild mood swings, along with an increased need to urinate and pressure in the pelvic area; treat yourself to a prenatal massage if you need to relax. The average fetus weighs close to five pounds by now and has developed enough to breathe and feed on its own, but will continue to plump up before the birth.

36 Weeks Pregnant – The fetus could drop down into your pelvis at any time now, which will probably allow you to breathe much more easily. You may want to have cervical exams every week for these last weeks of pregnancy to monitor the rate at which your body is preparing to deliver. The fetus has likely assumed its birthing position, whether it is vertex or breech.

37 Weeks Pregnant – Although your official due date is still a few weeks away, you will have undergone a full-term pregnancy if you deliver your baby now. Your healthcare provider may test for GBS (Group B strep) this week, which is a type of bacteria that can live in the vagina and infect a baby during delivery.

38 Weeks Pregnant – Many women will not gain anymore weight from now until the birth, but don't be worried if you do: the more layers of fat a baby has when born, the stronger its overall well-being.

39 Weeks Pregnant – You may begin to have contractions – true labor pains will come at regular intervals and will increase in strength. If your water breaks, note any odor or color it has and report your observations to your healthcare provider. The lungs are the last organ to mature, but they should be fully developed by now.

40 Weeks Pregnant – Keep in mind that you are not technically overdue until 42 weeks, so you may not give birth this week. If your pregnancy continues into week 41, your healthcare provider may use an external fetal monitor to observe the fetus's movements. Labor may be induced under certain circumstances.


 

 Conception

3 Weeks    Implantation

5 Weeks

7 Weeks

9 Weeks

11 Weeks

13 Weeks

15 Weeks

17 Weeks

19 Weeks

21 Weeks

23 Weeks