Physical Symptoms and Body Changes During Pregnancy

Typical early pregnancy signs and symptoms are directly associated with increasing hCG levels. Early pregnancy symptoms affect all major body systems producing a range of physical symptoms from pelvic pain, missed periods, nausea, vomiting, and heartburn to abdominal achiness, hemorrhoids, and shortness of breath. All are one way or the other related to increasing hCG levels. 

The mother-to-be can also expect her areolas to grow darker, a darkened line to appear from her navel to the pubic bone, discoloration of the face, and her feet to grow larger. Physical changes during pregnancy are commonly associated with hormonal changes. The body typically returns to normal a few months after the baby is born.

Here is a comprehensive list of all pregnancy symptoms explained:

1. Skin Changes
2. Vaginal Changes
3. Cardiovascular Changes
4. Gastrointestinal Changes
5. Breast Changes
6. Abdomen Changes
7. Musculoskeletal Changes
8. Endocrine Changes
9. Nausea and Vomiting
11. Hemorrhoids
12. Body Aches and Pains
13. Heartburn and Indigestion
14. Swelling
15. Other Painful Body Changes

A

• Abdominal Pain and Achiness 
• Abdominal Itchiness
• Appetite, Increased

B

• Backache During Pregnancy  
• Backache, Postpartum
• Bloating
• Bloodshot Eyes, Postpartum
• Bowel Movements, Postpartum Discomfort
• Breast Engorgement
• Breasts Tenderness and Change
• Breasts, Leaky (Colostrum)
• Breasts, Leaky (Postpartum)

C

• Cervical Dilation and Effacement
• Cervical Mucus Changes
• Chloasma/Mask of Pregnancy
• Clumsiness
• Cold and Flu Symptoms
• Constipation/Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Contractions (Braxton-Hicks)
• Contractions, labor

D

• Diarrhea (Pre labor)
• Diarrhea During Pregnancy

E

• Early Pregnancy Symptoms
• Edema (Swollen Ankles and Feet)
• Energy, Increased
• Eye Changes
• Exhaustion, Postpartum

F

• Faintness, Dizziness, Light-headedness
• Fatigue
• Fecal Incontinence (Postpartum)
• Feet, Increased Size
• Flatulence
• Food Cravings and Aversions
• Forgetfulness

G

• Gums, Bleeding, and Sore

H

• Hair Loss, Postpartum
• Headaches
• Heartburn or Indigestion
• Heightened Sense of Smell
• Hemorrhoids
• Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)

I

• Implantation Bleeding
• Incision Pain, Postpartum
• Insomnia/Difficulty Sleeping

L

• Leg Cramps
• Linea Nigra

M

• Metallic Taste (Dysgeusia)
• Migraines

N

• Nasal Congestion and Nosebleeds
• Nausea (Morning Sickness)
• Nipples, Sore or Cracked, Postpartum

P

• Pelvic Discomfort and Pressure
• Pelvic Girdle Pain
• Perineal Soreness, Postpartum
• PMS Symptoms
• Protruding Navel

R

• Respiratory System Changes
• Restless Leg Syndrome
• Rupture of Membranes

S

• Saliva, Excessive
• Sciatica
• Shortness of Breath
• Skin Changes
• Skin Discolorations
• Snoring
• Stretch Marks
• Sweating (Postpartum)
• Symphysis Pubic Dysfunction

T

• Tingling Hands (Carpal Tunnel)

U

• Urinary Changes
• Urination, Difficulties With (Postpartum)
• Urination, Frequent

V

• Vaginal Bleeding (Postpartum)
• Vaginal Discharge
• Vaginal Spotting or Bleeding
• Varicose Veins
• Veins, Visible

W

• Weight Changes

Read More:
I Missed My Period
I Have A Positive Pregnancy Test
I Think I Have Implantation Bleeding