There are many changes that women’s bodies grow through during pregnancy. You might be aware of the normal change in size and appearance that the woman experiences, but there are also other internal changes, some unexpected.

• Morning sickness can occur early in the pregnancy calendar. Nausea and vomiting in the morning can often be relieved by eating toast or dry crackers. However, it is possible to experience this throughout the day as well.
• A woman might also experience indigestion and heartburn. This can occur as hormones and the growing baby apply pressure, causing problems with digestion. Constipation is also a problem that can develop within a pregnant mother. This can lead to a woman developing hemorrhoids due to the increased constipation, the growth of the uterus, and pressure being placed on the intestines and rectum.
• As the stages of pregnancy continue, women can feel an increased need to urinate. The growing baby will need more room, so the bladder will be able to hold a decreased amount of urine. The pregnant mother will also need to go to the bathroom more as the weight of the baby presses on the bladder.
• In some instances, a woman can experience swollen hands and feet. She may feel tired during the course of the pregnancy. This is due to the nutritional demands and hormonal changes that the pregnancy is placing on her body. She might even have difficulty breathing and not be able to walk as fast as she used to. This can be true during the later stages of her pregnancy.

Women’s bodies go through many normal changes during pregnancy. Knowing what to expect makes these changes manageable.