One of the most surprising changes, for me, in my first pregnancy was that suddenly mosquitoes were obsessed with me. Before, I had been able to enjoy a campfire or a front porch evening peacefully, and suddenly I could barely step outside without being dive-bombed by the little bloodsuckers.
When we think about pregnancy, we tend to think of a few major symptoms, like weight gain, decreased bladder capacity, and maybe fatigue. However, the truth is that pregnancy can change many aspects of your body, and those changes can be temporary or permanent.
One social media beauty influencer says that she was surprised when pregnancy changed her face. Here’s what you should know.
Amber Pitkin Shares Before & After Images
Amber Pitkin, a makeup artist who uses her social media platforms to promote products and show how she uses them, says that she didn’t recognize herself around the 4-month mark in her pregnancy.
According to the American Pregnancy Association, the body increases fluid retention during pregnancy because it helps to soften and expand, making room for the baby. On average, about 25% of the weight gain during pregnancy is due to increased fluid retention.
This extra fluid weight can change your body shape, so that it’s not just the midsection that expands. Women may also see swelling of the feet and even in their faces.
It’s the facial swelling that concerned the makeup artist, who says she decided to speak openly about it. Watch below.
This Swelling Can Be Normal, But There’s A Caveat
While this swelling is common and even normal in many cases, you should be aware that any sudden swelling, especially of the face, could be a sign of preeclampsia, and it warrants a check-in with your doctor.
Preeclampsia is a serious complication of pregnancy that can result in miscarriage or death and requires extra monitoring throughout pregnancy. If you are at risk for preeclampsia, or if your doctor diagnoses preeclampsia, you may need to have more frequent appointments and checks of weight and blood pressure.
In many cases, preeclampsia will require early delivery of your baby.
Check in with your doctor immediately if there is any sudden new swelling, especially in the face or chest. An immediate check-in is also called for if there is any uneven swelling (such as one leg suddenly swelling more than the other).
Other warning signs can include severe headaches that don’t go away with rest and water; new nausea or vomiting; shortness of breath; and vision changes.
If you have any of the above symptoms, do not delay in contacting your doctor. If they happen outside office hours, call your doctor’s after-hours number or get checked out at an emergency room if necessary.
Will The Swelling Go Away?
Swelling due to fluid retention in pregnancy is likely to go away within a few weeks after giving birth. It can take a little longer after a C-section or if you received IV fluids during delivery.
However, if it continues past a few weeks, or if it is accompanied by headaches, dizziness, chest pain, or blurred vision, or if swelling is severe or occurs in only one leg, you should call your doctor.
Some of the physical changes caused by swelling during pregnancy can be permanent, most particularly increased foot size. For some women, pregnancy will result in a permanent increase of half to a full shoe size.
Other Pregnancy Oddities
Pregnancy isn’t just growing a baby. It also involves many hormonal and physical changes throughout the body and can affect many things.
The increased desirability of mosquitoes, as mentioned above, for instance, is a documented phenomenon. A study published in the BMJ in 2000 found that mosquitoes are about twice as attracted to pregnant women, a pattern researchers believe is linked to changes in breathing and increased body heat.
The increased blood volume that causes changes in Pitkin’s face and some women to need new shoes can also lead to conditions such as pregnancy rhinitis, in which one suffers a stuffy nose or even nosebleeds due to increased fluid volume. Some women will also suffer pregnancy gingivitis, with bleeding gums.
For many women, an increase in strange and vivid dreams will be part of the experience, and many will suffer from brain fog.
Despite the hype around the “pregnancy glow,” many will also experience skin changes, such as acne. Hair changes, too, might be flattering, such as fuller, more vibrant hair, but can also include new greasiness or frizziness. New body hair is also common.
Most of these changes will go away after the baby is born! If any symptoms raise concerns, ask your doctor. No matter how strange it seems to you, they’ve seen it before.