How Your Body Changes During Pregnancy

It is no secret that your body changes during pregnancy. How many things change during pregnancy that you don’t see? Well, several things do. To say our bodies are a miraculous thing is an understatement.Pregnancy is a perfect example of our body’s amazing potential. A few of these changes you can see, while many others you may not even notice.

The ones you may not notice happening are the ones that cause many common symptoms of pregnancy. Things like acid reflux, needing to empty your bladder (constantly, it seems?) or feeling short of breath during pregnancy are caused by the changes happening in the respiratory, urinary and gastrointestinal systems. Let’s look at all the hidden and obvious body changes during pregnancy.

Body Changes During Pregnancy

Some of these changes are subtle, an increased respiratory rate for example, while other more obvious changes include a baby bump. All these changes occur to prepare for the development of your baby and to give birth during labor. Here are some systems, organs, and parts that undergo changes during pregnancy.

Body Parts and Systems That Change While Pregnant

  • Endocrine System
  • Abdomen
  • Cardiovascular System
  • Breast
  • Respiratory System
  • Body Temperature
  • Integumentary System: Hair, Skin, and Nails
  • Urinary System
  • Legs and Feet
  • Musculoskeletal System
  • Body Weight

All these changes happen at different points of your pregnancy. The breasts are commonly the first changes most pregnant women notice. The second most recognized sign of pregnancy is the abdomen.
An Ob/Gyn or Obstetrician will help you adjust to these changes and make sure your pregnancy is progressing safely through regular prenatal visits.

Body Changes During Pregnancy Infographic

The infographic below breaks down how the body changes during pregnancy in more detail perfectly.
How a woman’s body changes when she’s pregnant

Learn More:

If you are interested in learning more about how your body is changing during pregnancy, we recommend signing up for our pregnancy week by week newsletter and reading the following amazing pregnancy books.
Guide to Healthy Pregnancy
The Pregnancy EncyclopediaThe Pregnant Body