Acne, Stretch Marks, and Dark Spots: What to Expect From Your Skin While Pregnant

Pregnancy is a miracle, and the female body is remarkable. Your body goes through a metamorphosis to be able to support and grow a new human being. From the smallest sign of life, organs begin shifting to accommodate a full grown newborn. The changes are mind-blowing. 

There are many heartwarming alterations that occur. Seeing your bump slowly expand as a visual reminder that a baby is coming is one. The butterflies you experience when you feel your bundle of joy move for the first time is another. With all the rapid changes, your body sometimes throws in a few negative reactions.

Your expanding stomach can lead to stretch marks. Acne and dark spots are also common ailments that pregnant women can suffer from. Understanding what can occur during pregnancy can help you not feel as alone if these symptoms pop up. And, there are things you can do to lessen or mitigate these skin issues if they affect you. Keep reading to learn what to expect from your skin while pregnant.

1. Dark Spots

“Oh you’re glowing!” is common to hear, as people love to talk about the glow of pregnancy. If you’ve been experiencing morning sickness or other aches and pains with your pregnancy, you might not feel that sentiment. Supporting the miracle of life is a lot of work. Rather than noticing a glow, you might even be experiencing dark spots that came as a shock to you. 

If you have noticed dark patches on your skin, you’re not alone. These dark patches, or melasma, happen because of the hormonal fluctuations you experience while expecting. There are some things you can do to lessen the chances of this. Wear sunscreen, take your folic acid, and drink plenty of water as well. And there are also options for melasma treatment should you develop these spots.  

2. Stretch Marks

Stretch marks a sign of pregnancy that many know to expect. Some women even wear their tiger stripes with pride. While pregnant, your body is rapidly expanding in certain areas to accommodate your growing fetus. The skin can’t keep up with the change and stretch marks can happen as a result. It’s most likely you’ll see them around your stomach. 

However, you can also get them around your breasts and hips. As your breasts enlarge for breastfeeding, that skin will stretch. Some women also notice their hips expanding as well. Staying well hydrated during pregnancy and moisturizing your skin can help. It’s also recommended to maintain a healthy diet. While weight gain is completely normal with pregnancy, eating in excess can cause additional stretch marks. 

If you develop stretch marks, they likely won’t completely go away after birth. Over time, they will fade and become less obvious though. Different creams can be beneficial. There’s nothing to be embarrassed about if you do develop them though. It’s a sign that your body went through an extraordinary experience.

3. Acne and Rashes

Your special glow can feel dimmed if you develop acne and rashes when pregnant. These breakouts are, unfortunately, very common. Your chances of having pregnancy acne are higher if you had breakouts as a teen or have flare ups on your period. You can thank hormone shifts for this.

These shifts can cause you to produce more oil, which can clog pores. Normally this will occur during the first trimester. If you make it through that without acne, you likely won’t get it in the next two trimesters. There are treatments for it if you break out, but talk to your doctor. Not all treatments that people typically use for acne are safe when pregnant. 

Like pimples, rashes can also develop thanks to all the hormonal changes. You can get heat rashes during this time and you might develop hives. Eczema, which is a dry and itchy rash, can also pop up. There are other more severe rashes that can happen, like obstetric cholestasis, that alert you of a larger underlying issue. It’s wise to check in with your physician with any changes in skin to make sure everything is okay.

4. Spider Veins

You may have gone through life not being able to see any veins through your skin. All of a sudden, you’re getting dressed and catch a glimpse of purple in the mirror. Spider veins have hit your pregnant body. They typically first show up on the back of your legs because of gravity and the way blood flows.

During pregnancy the amount of blood pumping through your body greatly increases. That adds pressure to your vascular system. Spider veins are more topical and don’t often pose a danger. If you have a genetic link to these veins, you’re more likely to get them as well.

You can help lessen the appearance of spider veins during pregnancy. Compression socks can help with blood flow. Working out and not sitting or standing for a long time can also help. Often these veins will be less visible in the months after birth with the pressure of pregnancy going away. However, they may not fully go away. Like stretch marks, it’s important to remember your body went through something miraculous.  

Your body goes through an immense amount of changes during pregnancy. From an expanding uterus to changes in your skin, nearly all systems are impacted in some way. It can be helpful understanding what might occur so you don’t feel alone. The good news is, there are things you can do to lessen the symptoms should they affect you. Though it can be daunting, it’s all worth it when you see that sweet baby in your arms.