Specifically, a phenomenon called 'pregnancy nose' that along with your emotional and physical changes (hello, bump), means that your nose can swell to a much larger size during gestation.
"Although 'pregnancy nose' is not a medical term, many women's noses do appear to be bigger toward the end of pregnancy, and they may also experience more frequent nasal drainage than prior to pregnancy," says Dr. Jessica Madden, MD, IBCLC, the medical director of Aeroflow Breastpumps.
More than just a stuffy nose
Pregnancy rhinitis is an inflammation of the mucous membranes lining the nose. This causes nasal congestion. Increased blood flow to the nasal passages and enlargement of the nasal veins also play a role.
While pregnancy rhinitis can occur at any time during your pregnancy, it is most common during the first trimester. Symptoms may last for at least 6 weeks. The good news is they usually disappear within 2 weeks of your baby's birth.
“The underlying reason is because of the hormones that are increased in pregnancy and those hormones cause dilation in vessels, which can result in more blood flow going to certain areas — and that's because we need it for the uterus,” Dr. Christine Greves, an OB-GYN in Orlando, Florida, tells TODAY.com.
Some pregnant women develop dark irregular patches on their face most commonly on the upper cheek, nose, lips, and forehead. This is called 'chloasma'. It is also sometimes known as 'melasma' or the 'mask of pregnancy'.
Now, researchers at Northwestern University have proven what we've suspected all along: having children does, in fact, speed up the aging process. A new study, which was published last month in Scientific Reports , found that each pregnancy can age a mother's cells by up to two years.
Increasing hormone levels and blood production can cause the mucous membranes in your nose to swell, dry out and bleed easily. This might cause you to have a stuffy or runny nose.
Week 7: Baby's head develops
Seven weeks into your pregnancy, or five weeks after conception, your baby's brain and face are growing. Depressions that will give rise to nostrils become visible, and the beginnings of the retinas form.
There's no set timeframe for experiencing pregnancy glow. However, you may be more likely to experience this glow during the height of changes in your body, especially during the second trimester. The glow of pregnancy — as well as its underlying causes — go away soon after you give birth.
It's unusual for patients to experience changes in nasal shape following pregnancy. When these changes occur they're usually always related to swelling. Under these circumstances the nose usually returns to its pre-pregnancy status as the swelling resolves.
Some pregnant people notice acne, hyperpigmentation, or a "pregnancy mask" (the darkening of pigmentation around the mouth, cheeks, and forehead also known as melasma). Exhaustion and water retention may lead to under-eye pouches, while increased blood flow can cause spider veins across the face.
Women who are thin and have a body mass index (BMI) of less than 25 will generally be able to see their pregnancies sooner than those with a BMI over 25. Taller women tend to have longer midsections and disperse their pregnancy weight more than shorter women.
Below are some of the highlights that occur during the embryonic stage. Nervous system. This is one of the first things to develop. It includes the formation of your baby's brain, spinal cord, and nerves.
Pregnancy glow refers to skin that looks luminous or rosy cheeks that give you a radiant, slightly flushed look. During pregnancy, the amount of blood in your body increases by about 50 percent, making your skin look brighter.
"Hormones of pregnancy — specifically estrogen — increase blood flow everywhere, but especially to mucus membranes of the body," she explained. "So that increase in blood flow can cause swelling in those areas, or puffiness, which can make the nose appear larger on the outside."
Characterized by inflammation and swelling of the mucous membranes in the nose, pregnancy rhinitis symptoms include congestion (nasal obstruction), sneezing, postnasal drip, and runny nose. These symptoms can also lead to poor sleep when your growing belly might already be making it difficult to rest.
You cannot diagnose a pregnancy by merely looking at a woman's eyes. This is a historical and outdated method of detecting pregnancy.
Experts say the best time to get pregnant is between your late 20s and early 30s. This age range is associated with the best outcomes for both you and your baby. One study pinpointed the ideal age to give birth to a first child as 30.5.
They found that babies conceived in summer months (June-August) were almost a third of an ounce (8 grams) heavier than babies born in other months. Together, the duo compared more than 1.4 siblings born to 647,050 mothers in New York City, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Women's media and pop culture are major contributors to the oft-cited narrative that ages 30-39 are a woman's supposed “prime” — socially, professionally, physically, sexually and emotionally.
Bloating and puffiness is common in pregnancy, and it can even affect your eyes. It's common for women to develop puffiness around their eyes or on the eyelids. Once again, you can blame it on the hormonal changes that occur when you're expecting.
“There is definitely some truth to as your belly grows so can your lips,” says Dr. Ross. “Swelling is a normal part of pregnancy and it happens in just about every part of your body including your lips.” She adds that increased blood flow throughout the body helps contribute to pregnancy glow.
The typical places that become puffy and swollen are the ankles, feet, legs, fingers, and even the face. Fluid retention is annoying, to be sure, but it's a necessary evil. Extra fluid builds up during pregnancy as hormones change, which helps to soften the body so it can more easily expand as the baby and uterus grow.
When does your belly start feeling hard during pregnancy? This varies, but it's usually during your second or third trimester. As your uterus grows, it eventually pushes against your abdominal wall, making your abdomen feel firm. The muscles and ligaments around your uterus stretch, too, which can cause mild cramping.