Skin and hair
Do you feel radiant and glowing? Not everybody does during pregnancy as it can do surprising things to your skin and hair.
Hair
Normal hair loss slows down, so your hair can look thick and shiny in pregnancy. After the birth, you might feel as though you are losing a lot of hair but it’s probably just reverting back to your pre-pregnancy hair loss. If you are worried, speak to your GP.
Stretchmarks
Stretchmarks are a sign of broken elastic fibres which look red at first, but fade to a greyish colour. They tend to run in families so if your mum got them, you probably will too. They appear on your stomach, thighs and breasts from six months onwards.
Dry skin
Your skin may become dry or itchy and moisturising bath and shower products may help relieve this. If your torso is itchy all the time, you should consult your GP to rule out a condition called cholestasis which can be harmful to your baby.
Pigment changes
If you have dark skin, you are more likely to notice pigment changes than fair skinned people. Pigmentation changes may include:
- a dark line appearing down the middle of your chest and stomach
- a blotchy colouration on the face
- uneven tanning.
- darkened nipples.
See also