Contents
Facial paralysis and 5 more nasty “side effects” of pregnancy
Children come at a high price to us. Some of the consequences of childbirth, many do not even suspect.
Stretch marks, excess weight, sagging skin, pigmentation, crumbling teeth … You often hear that pregnancy and childbirth rejuvenate a woman, give her a certain boost of vital energy, she even becomes healthier! But experts only shake their heads: no, pregnancy will not cure you of any health problems. On the contrary, they will only get worse. In addition, a young mother may face such troubles that no one warned her about.
Every girl knows that a delay in menstruation, nausea and even vomiting are some kind of bells of a possible pregnancy, its very first signs. But there may be others.
Hypersalivation, or drooling
Drooling often accompanies vomiting of pregnant women, but sometimes it can manifest itself. Agree, it’s strange when saliva flows just without interruption and for no apparent reason. This phenomenon most often becomes one of the manifestations of early toxicosis in pregnant women, especially in multiple pregnancies. Salivation can be several times stronger than usual; in some women, the volume of saliva produced per day reaches 1 liter! The reason lies in the activation of the autonomic nervous system and a special “pregnant” hormonal background.
Of great importance in the correction of hypersalivation is the frequency of meals and the volume of servings of food for a pregnant woman. In addition, effective medications are prescribed. In any case, if such a “side effect” occurs, it is necessary to consult an obstetrician-gynecologist in a timely manner. The doctor will assess the degree of hypersalivation, identify the presence of other symptoms and select a drug based on the possible risk to the fetus and the occurrence of side effects.
Increase in foot size
Drew Barrymore recently complained that her leg size changed after giving birth. And not only has changed, but has grown by as much as three sizes. There is no time for boats and hairpins. And the star is not alone in its trouble. Young mothers’ feet grow quite often.
Experts say that it’s all about weight – it grows, because of this, the arch of the foot flattens, and the foot itself becomes slightly longer and wider. This is another reason why it is so important not to overeat with weight gain during pregnancy.
The second factor in the growth of the foot is the increased production of relaxin, growth hormone. Thanks to it, your muscles and ligaments become more flexible, and childbirth is easier. Well, your favorite shoes become small – such is the side effect.
Dermatosis, or itchy skin
Itching of pregnant women, which captures the entire body, but can be localized in the external genital area, causes insomnia and irritability. Although there are a large number of theories, the definitive cause of this phenomenon has not been found. Some researchers associate itching with an increase in body weight and the amount of sex hormones during pregnancy, as well as with the size of the fetus.
In most cases, this disease goes away at the end of pregnancy or immediately after childbirth. Sometimes women are given treatments to relieve itching and reduce inflammation and redness of the skin. Of course, only a doctor can choose drugs that are safe for the health of the mother and child.
Tetania pregnant
It is manifested by muscle cramps, more often of the upper extremities (“obstetrician’s hand”), less often of the lower ones (“ballerina’s leg”), sometimes the muscles of the face (“fish mouth”), trunk, and extremely rarely of the larynx and stomach. There are times when, due to such cramps, the face is distorted – fortunately, temporarily.
The reason for this set of symptoms is a violation of the function of the parathyroid glands and a violation of calcium metabolism in a woman’s body. You may have already guessed that calcium and vitamin D are used for treatment.However, it is necessary to consult a doctor in a timely manner, since it is recommended to terminate the pregnancy with an advanced and severe course of the disease.
Osteomalacia
This is a very unpleasant side effect – in a pregnant woman, calcium is washed out of the bones, due to a violation of phosphorus-calcium metabolism, the bones become softer. A pregnant woman may complain of pain in the legs, pelvic bones, muscles. General weakness, fatigue, paresthesias appear (when any part of the body becomes numb, or a burning sensation begins, “goosebumps” creep), the gait changes – it becomes “duck”, tendon reflexes increase.
All these symptoms are a manifestation of hypovitaminosis, that is, a lack of vitamin D. Severe forms of osteomalacia can lead to changes in the anatomy of the woman’s pelvis and cause difficulties during delivery. Vitamin therapy and hormonal preparations that compensate for the deficiency in a woman’s body have a positive effect. But only a doctor can calculate the dosage. Excess vitamin D can cause serious health problems, including kidney stones.
Picacism – eating inedible
The desire to swallow inedible things is a pathology that mainly affects children, but can also occur in adults, especially in pregnant women. Mommies complain that they really want to eat a piece of lime, some are even drawn to sand and earth.
At the heart of this appetite is a change in the production of hormones that affect the olfactory and gustatory perception in pregnant women. It is important to remember that such unusual eating behavior can be dangerous to the health and life of a woman and a child and requires mandatory intervention by specialists.