Acne
i never had pimples as a kid or an adult now all of a sudden I do, says dawn, an expectant mom in her second trimester.


Pregnancy does make certain women more pimple-prone, since oil glands step up production when you're expecting. On the other hand, if you had premenstrual breakouts before becoming pregnant, the extra estrogen may banish your blemishes.


Topical retinoids (like retin-a or tazorac) which are prescribed to treat acne aren't recommended during pregnancy.


Bigger feet
no, they won't grow to match your belly, but your feet may gradually increase as much as a full size during pregnancy. Why? Hormonal changes can cause swelling in the joints and loosen ligaments, causing the foot to flatten. Shop for shoes at day's end, when feet are at their largest, and treat yourself to a new pair of athletic shoes or supportive sandals such as birkenstocks. But if you experience sudden swelling, report it to your care provider.


Bleeding gums and nosebleeds
progesterone release softens the tissues of the mucous membranes, preparing the vagina and cervix for birth, says london, ontario, public health nurse and prenatal teacher deanna stirling. Hand in hand with increased circulation, elevated levels of this hormone may make you more susceptible to nosebleeds and bleeding gums. Using a humidifier and applying a light layer of petroleum jelly to your nostrils help ward off nosebleeds by keeping mucous membranes moist. Since oral infections can increase your risk of premature delivery, protect your gums with regular brushing, flossing and visits to your dentist.


Carpal tunnel syndrome
do you have tingling or numbness in your hands? The culprit may be swelling in the carpal tunnel, a narrow nerve channel in the wrist. Ask your caregiver about using special splints to help keep the pathway open.


Drooling
some women will find they have increased salivation, which can aggravate nausea, london, ontario, midwife kathi wilson says. Try sucking a hard candy during daytime, and cover your pillow with a towel to soak up saliva.


Eye and vision changes
no kidding pregnancy can even affect your eyesight. An increase in fluid volume can subtly alter the shape of the eye, changing the way light is focused. If you wear glasses or contact lenses, this means your prescription may change, at least until junior makes an appearance. Contact wearers can suddenly find lenses cause redness and irritation, and may temporarily need to switch to specs. However, sudden vision changes or disturbances such as flashes of light or seeing stars should be reported promptly to your caregiver.


Hair changes
here's a strange one. Some women find normally kinky tresses straighten, or straight hair starts to curl.


And thanks to increased hormonal activity, hair is less likely to fall out during pregnancy and often seems fuller,explains stirling. Unfortunately, you'll likely lose the extra locks after your baby arrives.


Itchy skin
as the skin on your belly stretches to new dimensions, it may itch in protest. Some women even develop an extremely irritating rash called puppp (pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy sounds lovely, doesn't it?), the cause of which isn't exactly understood. While moisturizer may ease itchiness due to dry skin, you may need a dermatologist to prescribe medication for other conditions.


Rarely, itching can be a clue your liver function isn't up to par, so be sure to inform your caregiver if the urge to scratch disturbs your sleep or preoccupies much of your day, advises wilson.


Joint and ligament pain
the same hormones that relax your ligaments in preparation for stretching the pelvic joints during birth can cause discomfort before the baby arrives.


sciatic pain (that travels down the leg) and back pain can be related to the relaxation of ligaments,says wilson. Good posture and supportive shoes may bring relief, as can massage administered by a therapist who specializes in treating pregnant women.


A sharp or dull ache in either side of the groin is another common complaint, due to the stretching of the ligaments that attach the uterus to the pelvis. If the discomfort persists, check with your caregiver.


Loud heartbeat
here's another odd but fairly common experience: some women are more aware of their heart beating because it moves closer to the chest wall during pregnancy, explains wilson.


Migraine
if you suffered from migraines before getting pregnant, hormonal changes may actually decrease the frequency of headaches. On the other hand, women whose migraines are linked to their menstrual cycle may experience more attacks.



Fatigue, tension, stress and hunger can also aggravate head-aches, so try to get enough rest and carry high-carb snacks for emergencies. Contact your caregiver if you suddenly develop headaches late in pregnancy, which may warn of complications.


Nails
the surge in circulation that occurs when you're expecting may increase the flow of nutrients to the nails, making the tissue stronger. The result: tougher, faster-growing nails.


Pigment changes
tired of your hair colour? Pregnancy may alter it without resorting to messy dyes. my hair is a deeper shade of brown, and I sure like the colour!reports kennan silva of edmonton, who is pregnant with her third child. (the effect isn't always so desirable a red-headed acquaintance's once-matching eyebrows turned black!)


pigment production in the skin also increases during pregnancy, producing the linea nigra (the dark line connecting the belly button to the pubic area), and darkening the areolae around your nipples. Some women also develop pregnancy mask, which resembles an uneven facial tan.


Finally, the extra hormones produced during pregnancy can increase your skin's sensitivity to sun, says wilson, so slather on the sunscreen when you're not in the shade.


Shortness of breath
in the first trimester, hormonal changes can leave you short of breath; in the last, the growing baby pressing against your ribs and diaphragm may leave less room for you to take a really deep breath. If, however, shortness of breath crops up suddenly, or the feeling doesn't subside when you rest, contact your doctor, as it can be a warning sign of pre-eclampsia.


Sinus and nasal congestion
mucous membrane changes can also cause cold-like symptoms such as stuffiness, coughs due to post-nasal drip and sinus headaches. Your doctor or midwife may be able to suggest over-the-counter remedies that safely alleviate some of these symptoms.


Skin tags and spots
the same physiological changes that make your hair grow so luxuriantly can also cause less welcome growth. Skin tags are little balls of skin that appear under the arms or on the neck, and angiomas are red spots that sometimes linger after birth. Check with your doctor about any growths that rapidly increase in size, change colour or begin to bleed.


Taste
some women complain of an oddly metallic taste in their mouths during pregnancy. Others find they dislike foods they previously enjoyed and vice versa.


Vaginal discharge
as your body gears up for delivery, glands in the cervix start to work overtime, notes stirling, so an increase in vaginal discharge is usually normal. However, contact your caregiver if it's accompanied by other symptoms, such as foul odour, itchiness or burning, since these signal an infection. If you're prone to yeast infections, a change in vaginal ph can pave the way for these micro-organisms.


Vulvar varicosities
it's not so much the what as the where that women find surprising about these relatives of hemorrhoids. Varicose veins on the vulva are very common during pregnancy, due to the laxness of blood vessel walls, increased circulation and the pressure of the baby restricting the return of blood from the area. Varicosities feel worse when you stand still, so walk when you can, and lie down or put your feet up frequently to keep blood from pooling in your perineum. A baggie of ice chips can also ease aching, and some women swear by wearing bicycle shorts or support hose.


Zzzzzs
pregnant women, especially in the first trimester have been known to drift off mid-conversation. Your body is working hard to grow your baby, so get into the habit of grabbing 40 winks when you can. Later, when you reach the last few weeks of pregnancy, you may find it hard to get comfortable enough to get a full night's sleep. Lots of pillows help. Try lying on your side with one between your legs and another under your belly.

I thought this was so interesting..Enjoy!

Shannon