Pregnancy is an amazing journey during which your body undergoes significant changes to support your growing baby. These changes help ensure your baby gets enough oxygen, nutrients, and care throughout pregnancy and prepare you for labor and childbirth.
Change during pregnancy is inevitable, and it is vital for mothers to stay in contact with their healthcare providers throughout the journey to ensure the best possible outcome for mother and child. Jackie Vroman, DO at Pipestone County Medical Center (PCMC), says, “There are some predictable patterns and changes that apply to all women, but we also know that there are unique variations that are important for you to talk to your doctor about, to see if it is any cause for concern.”
Here’s a breakdown of some of the ways your body adapts during pregnancy and what happens during labor.
How Your Heart and Blood Flow Change
Your heart works harder during pregnancy to pump extra blood for you and your baby. By the end of the first few months, your blood volume increases by 30-50%.
- More Blood Pumping: Your heart beats faster and pumps more blood every minute to carry oxygen and nutrients to your baby.
- Lower Blood Pressure at First: A hormone called progesterone helps relax your blood vessels, which can lower your blood pressure early in pregnancy.
- Better Blood Flow to the Uterus: More blood is sent to your uterus to support the placenta, which delivers everything your baby needs.
How Your Breathing Changes
Your body needs more oxygen during pregnancy, and your breathing adjusts to ensure you and your baby get enough.
- Breathing Deeper: Hormones like progesterone help you take deeper breaths, so more air gets into your lungs with each breath.
- Getting Rid of Carbon Dioxide: Your body removes carbon dioxide more efficiently, which also helps your baby get rid of it.
- More Oxygen Use: Your body’s oxygen requirements increase by about 20% to support your baby and the extra work your body is doing.
How Your Body Handles Energy and Nutrients
Your metabolism, or how your body uses energy, changes to meet the needs of pregnancy. Your baby relies on you for nutrients, so your body works hard to keep both of you healthy.
- Using More Energy: Your body burns more calories even when resting because you’re growing a baby!
- Storing Fat Early: Early in pregnancy, your body stores extra fat to use as energy later on.
- Managing Sugar Levels: In the last few months, your body becomes slightly resistant to insulin, a hormone that helps manage blood sugar, ensuring your baby gets enough glucose (sugar) to grow.
- Extra Nutrients Needed: Your body needs more of certain nutrients, like iron (for making extra blood), calcium (for your baby’s bones), and folate (to help prevent congenital disabilities).
What Happens During Labor and Childbirth
Labor and childbirth are the final stages of pregnancy, where your body works to deliver your baby. Here’s how it happens:
- Contractions Begin: Labor starts with regular contractions of your uterus. These tightenings help open your cervix (the opening to the uterus) so your baby can come out.
- Heart Working Harder: During contractions, blood flow to the uterus temporarily decreases, so your heart beats faster to keep everything balanced.
- Baby Moves Down: As labor progresses, your baby moves through the birth canal. This process is helped by strong contractions, your body’s hormones, and your efforts during pushing.
- Delivering the Placenta: After your baby is born, your uterus continues to contract to deliver the placenta (afterbirth) and stop bleeding.
The Takeaway
Your body goes through incredible changes during pregnancy and labor to support your baby and prepare for childbirth. Dr. Vroman adds, “The physical changes happening to your body may feel uncomfortable and new or different to you. Your doctor can help you find ways to ease the discomfort, manage these changes, and help you process how those changes can affect you emotionally and physically.”
Every part of you plays a role in this journey, from your heart pumping extra blood to your lungs working harder for oxygen. Knowing what to expect can help you feel more confident and prepared as you bring new life into the world. If you have questions, call us at 507-825-5811. We would be honored to assist.