Some first-time moms are worried about looking good and maintaining their beauty during pregnancy. This is because of their tiredness or sudden hormonal changes which may cause them physical or emotional changes. Others feel that their minds are in a fog because of anxious and overwhelming feelings, seeing their bodies transform in order to accommodate their little ones.
In this article, we will discuss several major factors that influence your overall appearance and look during pregnancy, and some ways how you can maintain the so-called “pregnancy glow” or look good during your pregnancy journey.
Major Factors that Influence Your Overall Appearance During Pregnancy
During pregnancy, many expectant mothers may feel immensely conscious on multiple levels such as becoming more flexible in their thinking and in their joints, their senses, and tendencies to follow gut instinct are getting sharper than before, maintaining their deep connection to their changing body and the tiny being sharing space with them. Perhaps you may begin feeling intensely aware and sensitive to stimuli and feeling more grounded physically. This is due to a cocktail of hormones that continues flooding your bloodstream in order to prepare you for the big event of pregnancy and childbirth.
Below are some of the major factors that influence your overall during your pregnancy:
- Increased blood flow
As your uterus and essential organs require more blood to support the needs of your growing baby, your body produces more blood. The increased blood volume dilates your blood vessels which makes your skin look flushed and literally glowing from within.
- Increase in your skin’s natural oil
Several pregnant women experience more oil production coming from their sebum glands caused by the hormonal changes occurring during pregnancy. The increase in your skin’s natural oil is also because of the increased blood flow. So, if you already have oily or combination skin, you may notice and experience that you are having very oily skin. But, don’t be anxious about this because the increased oils can also make your face look more glowing than before.
- Heat rashes
This is a common symptom that most pregnant women are experiencing as they deal with their hormones. But heat rashes may appear due to the extra weight you are carrying to support your baby while your body temperature increases. Those heat rashes or hot flashes can turn your skin glowing as well.
- Skin stretching
This happens along with the increased blood flow and hormonal changes in the pregnant woman’s body. It also makes your skin glow during pregnancy.
- Surging hormones
Typically, pregnant women experience sudden and dramatic increases in their hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, and human chorionic gonadotropin. When the estrogen increases during pregnancy, it allows the uterus and placenta to improve the formation of blood vessels, transfer vital nutrients, and support the developing baby. On the other hand, when the progesterone levels increase, they cause internal structures to increase in size. All of these changing processes inside the body make your skin flushed and glowing.
- Aggravating of preexisting skin diseases
Your symptoms may be worse during pregnancy if you have particular preexisting skin conditions such as eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis. The affected skin may look redder than usual and it becomes more noticeable, mistaking it for pregnancy glow.
Simple Ways on How You Can Maintain Your “Pregnancy Glow”
So, how can you maintain your “pregnancy glow” or gorgeous look during pregnancy? In this section, we are glad to provide you some simple ways that you can do so that you are able to maintain your pregnancy glow or look good during pregnancy:
Eat Wholesome and Nutrient-Rich Foods
Latham Thomas wrote in Mama Glow: A Hip Guide to Your Fabulous Abundant Pregnancy that eating superfoods packed with antioxidants, minerals, and potent nutrients that are particularly effective in boosting the body’s natural defenses, promoting optimal wellness, and activating the glow is one of the great methods to attain the pregnancy glow.
Some of the foods that she recommends are blueberries, goji berries, beets, Brazil nuts, acai, garlic, kale, grapefruit, sweet potatoes, avocado, almonds, hemp seeds, shiitake mushrooms, tempeh, and quinoa. These foods are loaded with essential nutrients and omegas which are easy to digest and assimilate. They don’t cause constipation or indigestion and help your system to absorb the foods you eat slowly, keeping your insulin levels low. Plus,glow foods promote optimal circulation of oxygen and nutrients, making your skin, nails, and hair shimmer.
Get Some Proper Exercises
Consult your OB-GYN first before you try on some exercises. Some exercises that you can do are walking, jogging, swimming, Pilates, and yoga. You may also try some light resistance training like squats. Try to exercise at least 2 ½ hours of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week. Aerobic activities help you to breathe faster and deeply while making your heart beat faster. Don’t worry if you can’t do all 2 ½ hours at once because you can break them up through the week.
Aside from giving you the pregnancy glow, getting some proper exercises helps you to keep your mind and body healthy, ease some discomforts of pregnancy like back pain and swelling in your legs, helps you manage stress and sleep better, and many others.
Avoid Consuming Processed Foods and Caffeine
Chips, cakes, cookies, instant noodles, hotdogs, luncheon meat, and canned tuna are some examples of processed foods that you need to stay away from while you’re pregnant. Processed foods increase weight and blood lipids or triglycerides. Do you know that 20% of the triglycerides you ingest become blood cholesterol? Instead, try to look for healthy alternatives such as carrot sticks and hummus or flax crackers with veggie pâté, kale chips, and apple slices dipped in almond butter.
Also, avoid foods that contain caffeine such as coffee, teas, cola drinks, and chocolate. Studies have shown that excess caffeine in pregnancy has been linked with low birth in babies. Again, you may look for other healthy alternatives such as a herbal coffee alternative, yerba mate, licorice tea, rooibos tea, and an acai smoothie.
Take Some Multivitamins
Aside from giving you the first line of defense during pregnancy, taking multivitamins like Vitamin A, C, E, folic acid, etc. boosts your immunity and your baby’s as well. But, don’t take all of your vitamin supplements at once. In the morning, take some essential vitamins. At night, take some minerals like iron, calcium, and zinc for tissue repair and cellular rejuvenation.
CONCLUSION
There are several major factors that affect your overall appearance while being pregnant such as increased blood flow, increase in your skin’s natural oil, heat rashes, skin stretching, surging hormones, and aggravating of preexisting skin diseases. To maintain your glowing look during pregnancy, you should eat wholesome and nutrient-rich foods, get some proper exercise, avoid consuming processed foods and caffeine, and take some multivitamins.
