Pregnancy Updates

Well, I haven't been the greatest about writing in here lately, but some of that is probably because my pregnancy has been relatively uneventful! I've been sleeping pretty good (other than waking up every time I need to switch positions, but I usually fall right back asleep). Probably the biggest thing that's happened lately (and it's been a BIG thing!), is that I've been able to feel him kicking A LOT (esp. a lot in the last few days). The kicks have been feeling less like butterflies (though I still get that too), and more like full-fledged kicks! And I know it will only get stronger from here! A big milestone was when I felt him kick from the outside for the first time. That was during church on Sunday Dec. 12th. It was amazing - I was just sitting there with my hand casually on my belly, and all of a sudden I felt a distinct kick! I was so excited I could hardly contain myself, and looked with excitement at Janae and Kevin, whispering to them the good news!!! It's funny how I've been feeling him move from the inside for weeks now (and that was exciting in itself), but when I felt it from the outside it felt even more real! George wasn't at church that day, but I knew he would soon get to feel his son kicking! And he did - 3 days later on Thursday night. We had gone to the Over the Edge Sports Christmas dinner at 626 on Rood, where I ate lots of delectable gourmet food (and probably too much of it!). We got home and relaxed and I finally got to bed rather late. I was laying there and suddenly felt him kicking a lot from the outside (only the second time for me, I think), and so I called to George who was on the computer in the office, to "Quick! Come here!" I think I scared him like it was an emergency, but I didn't want him to miss it! So he came in and felt my belly, and lo and behold, he felt many kicks! I could tell he was excited and thought it was a really cool sensation! I was so happy to finally share that with him! And the next day I was at moms, and Janae was there - we were planning our baking day, and he started kicking again, so BOTH of them got to feel him! What an exciting week! And now it's been happening so much that I'm almost getting used to it. His pattern SEEMS to be movement in the morning when I wake up, movement at night when I'm falling asleep (though maybe I'm just more aware of him at those times since I'm so still), and then maybe afternoons. Although I really do feel him pretty often (sometimes just a couple movements and then he'll fall back asleep). A couple times it has been a pretty forceful kick, and it almost was uncomfortable. And a couple times, when it's more of a butterfly feel (I'm thinking that's his hands moving), it tickles and I just giggle out loud! The other night when we came home from Denver for Christmas (Sunday the 26th), right as we were almost home I suddenly got a kink in my neck. It hurt and made it a little difficult to breathe. I think maybe either he moved in a position that caused a nerve to pinch, or I was feeling the effect of holding my iphone up on almost the entire drive. Either way, I struggled to help carry bags in, and when we got inside I had George massage it really good. Well, that really helped ease the pain, and it almost left as fast at it came. After the massage, I laid down on my back on our couch, propped up, just trying to sit straight and stretch out, thinking that would help things 'straighten out'. Well, baby G apparently liked that position, and he was moving so much that, for the first time, we could actually SEE him moving around in my belly! We were just sitting there watching it and laughing - another milestone! It was so cool! So that's the story of his kicks.

And now he weighs 1 2/3 lbs., so we're really getting somewhere! Let the weight gain begin! I am definitely showing now, and I think most people would gather that I'm expecting (although I still feel smaller than a lot of women for how far along I am). But I'm content! I'm amazed that the countdown to delivery is in the double digits now, not triple! It's going to be a short 3 months, and I'm really beginning to freak out a little about having everything ready. I've been babysitting Ben and Virginia this week, and it's been a great learning experience. And it's been so informative to watch Jeanne and Matt discipline. I love it - they're so good at it, and I can't wait to implement some of their methods. They're at a Faithwalkers conference right now (at Two Rivers), and they just bought me an awesome DVD set of the woman who inspires much of their disciplining methods. It's 6 CDs, and I'm just SO excited to start listening to them!

Another REALLY awesome thing is the announcement of one of my best friends that she's expecting!!!!!! VICTORIA!!!! I never thought this day would come, and I'm so excited to have a good friend, that's MY age, and our kids will only be about 4 months apart!!! She had me open her Christmas gift to me (some cute maternity pants), and she put in a note card that said 'I'm Pregnant'. Well, it went RIGHT over my head because as far as I had known, they weren't trying anymore (for the year), because that would have put her due right before school started (and she's a teacher). And with the fact that I'M pregnant, and the gift was maternity pants, I just thought she was referring to me. But then I saw her and Janae looking at each other funny (Janae already knew), and kindof smirking, and it suddenly hit me!!!! I screamed for about 30 seconds straight, at the top of my lungs!!!! (I was hoarse for days after that!). I was just so excited! She is excited, but it's hard for her to show it because she really hasn't been feeling good at all. I fear she's going to be pretty sick, but only for this first trimester (if she's like her sister was in all three of her pregnancies). Anyway, I feel I have officially started a trend, and I'm SO excited! So now I have Klover, my other friend who still renames nameless, (but I can probably announce pretty soon!), Victoria, and my other friend Mindy who lives in St. Louis (and has 5 kids already, but is trying to move back here, and just found out she's having a boy!!!!, and only a month after me!). Then there's my acquaintances Jenny Macais, Riana Bichler, Hannah Lincoln, and Annette James who are due very close to me. So, I'm not alone in this! I look forward to many play dates! Now I just need to get a few other people on the bandwagon (JANAE?!!!, DANIELLE??!!!, BECCI?!!!!). Anyway, I'm thrilled, and really trying to savor these last 3 months.

On another note, I think I'm FINALLY set on maternity clothes! I got some cute skinny jeans with Christmas money (that I wear with some adorable boots J and m got me for Christmas!). And mom got me a cute light brown sweater dress that I can wear pregnant or not pregnant. I exchanged another Christmas gift for a cute green sweater. So I have 4 sweaters and about 5 shirts, plus 3 jeans, some khakis, brown corduroys, and dressy black pants. That's a relief to be finished.

The headaches are gone, I'm sleeping better, I still get a little irregular (but nothing I'm not already used to), and I'm just adjusting to the ever growing, distinctive, and intensifying kicks. My belly has been itchy, but that may just be the dry weather! I love it when George talks to Georgie and says "Hi George - this is your dad. Make sure you treat your mom good and don't kick her too hard. I'm excited to meet you. I love you. I love you...." It is the most touching thing, and I'm so happy to be in this with him, and have him be the father of our son. He will often lean down and say goodbye to him when he says goodbye to me. It's very sweet. I am savoring this time of my pregnancy. Sometime soon I'm going to post the poem I wrote for George that I gave to him the night before our wedding day, and I'd like to write baby G a poem too. And I think we'll finally switch out the sign in our house that's been up since we returned from our honeymoon that says 'Welcome home Mr. and Mrs. Gatseos', with one that says 'Welcome home Baby G!'.

I'm trying to think if there's anything else I want to write, but I can't think of anything! I will post more later if I think about it! Signing out!

26 Weeks! There's a BABY in There!

Your pregnancy: 26 weeks

How your baby's growing:

The network of nerves in your baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. He may now be able to hear both your voice and your partner's as you chat with each other. He's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of his lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when he's born and takes that first gulp of air. And he's continuing to put on baby fat. He now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber) from head to heel. If you're having a boy, his testicles are beginning to descend into his scrotum — a trip that will take about two to three days.

How your life's changing:

Are you rushing around trying to get to childbirth classes and prepare your baby's room while still taking care of all your other daily tasks? Make sure that you also continue to eat well and get plenty of rest. Around this time, your blood pressure may be increasing slightly, although it's probably still lower than it was before you got pregnant. (Typically, blood pressure falls toward the end of the first trimester, and it tends to reach a low at about 22 to 24 weeks.)

Preeclampsia — a serious disorder characterized by high blood pressure and protein in your urine — most often shows up after 37 weeks, but it can happen earlier so it's important to be aware of the warning signs of this condition. Call your caregiver if you have swelling in your face or puffiness around your eyes, more than slight swelling of your hands, excessive or sudden swelling of your feet or ankles, or rapid weight gain (more than 4 pounds in a week). With more severe preeclampsia, you may experience other symptoms. Let your caregiver know immediately if you have a severe or persistent headache, vision changes (including double or blurred vision, seeing spots or flashing lights, sensitivity to light, or temporary loss of vision), intense pain or tenderness in your upper abdomen, or vomiting.

If your lower back seems a little achy lately, you can thank both your growing uterus — which shifts your center of gravity, stretches out and weakens your abdominal muscles, and may be pressing on a nerve — as well as hormonal changes that loosen your joints and ligaments. Plus, the extra weight you're carrying means more work for your muscles and increased stress on your joints, which is why you may feel worse at the end of the day. Walking, standing, or sitting for long periods, as well as bending and lifting can all put a strain on your back. A warm bath or hot compress might bring relief. (Some women, though, find cool compresses more comforting.) Try to maintain good posture during the day, avoid activities that require bending and twisting at the same time, take frequent breaks when sitting or standing, and sleep on your side with one or both knees bent with a pillow between your legs, using another pillow (or wedge) to support your abdomen.

25 Weeks!

These pictures were actually taken a couple days after 25 weeks (so Friday the 24th). We were so busy with Christmas packing and getting out of town on Thursday that we spaced taking them! (But I still dated this post on the 22nd even though I didn't actually post this until the 28th!!!)

Your pregnancy: 25 weeks

How your baby's growing
Head to heels, your baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches. Her weight — a pound and a half — isn't much more than an average rutabaga, but she's beginning to exchange her long, lean look for some baby fat. As she does, her wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and she'll start to look more and more like a newborn. She's also growing more hair — and if you could see it, you'd now be able to discern its color and texture.

How your life's changing:

Your baby's not the only one with more hair — your locks may look more full and lustrous than ever. It's not that you're growing more hair, but thanks to hormonal changes, the hair that you'd normally shed is sticking around longer than usual. Enjoy the fullness while you can — the extra hair will fall out after you give birth.

You may also notice that you can't move around as gracefully as before. Unless your caregiver has advised you otherwise, it's fine to continue to exercise, but follow a few safety rules: Don't work out when you're feeling overly tired and stop if you feel any pain, dizziness, or shortness of breath. Don't lie flat on your back and avoid contact sports as well as any exercise where you're apt to lose your balance. Be sure to drink plenty of water, and make time for both warm-up and cool-down periods.

When you have your glucose-screening test at 24 to 28 weeks, a second tube of blood may be taken at the same time to check for anemia. If blood tests show that you have iron-deficiency anemia (the most common type of anemia), your caregiver will probably recommend that you take an iron supplement.

Have you started thinking about baby names yet? Choosing a name is an important decision, but it should be a fun one, too. You may want to consider family history (Great Grandpa Zeb), favorite locations (Venice, where you honeymooned), or cherished literary or film characters (Greta, Meg, or Atticus, for example). Check out a couple of baby-name books to help you brainstorm, too.

Week 24 Updates

Just a few updates:
This week I've been feeling a TON of movement. I really 'get' the 'popcorn popping' adjective now, as the 'quickening' has gotten pretty strong. I know I'm on the verge of being able to feel him from the outside, because I DID last Sunday (the 12th!!!)!!! It was SOOOOOOOO exciting, and just pure joy!!! I almost jumped in my seat as I was casually laying my hand on my left side near my belly button (he's moving UP finally!) and felt a distinctive, not-to-be-confused-with-gas baby kick from the outside! I am SO excited for G to be able to feel this, as is he. It's funny too because when I lay on one side, he gravitates to that side and I feel the movement there - pretty cool. Sleep has been better this week. *TMI warning* - This might be 'too much information', but I want to document it, as I want to have every little thing about my pregnancy written down! For the last couple weeks I have been peeing just a very little bit almost every time I sneeze! I guess that sneeze packs a large punch of power, and it's BEYOND MY CONTROL!!! I just can't stop it from happening! Oh well - it's normal from what I've read! I've also just really been feeling the weight of him - his foot-long body that is just over a pound is making it's presence known, as I've started to feel the weight of him. And I almost fainted when G said "Just think - he's gonna grow to 7 times that weight!!!" Ahhh!!! I'm thanking my lucky stars right now that I'm not that huge for 24 weeks!! Anyway, that's my update for now!

24 Weeks!!! Viable if Born Now!!! Woohoo!

Your pregnancy: 24 weeks

How your baby's growing:
Your baby's growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. That puts him at just over a pound. Since he's almost a foot long (picture an ear of corn), he cuts a pretty lean figure at this point, but his body is filling out proportionally and he'll soon start to plump up. His brain is also growing quickly now, and his taste buds are continuing to develop. His lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help his air sacs inflate once he hits the outside world. His skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon.

How your life's changing:

In the past few weeks, the top of your uterus has risen above your belly button and is now about the size of a soccer ball.

Most women have a glucose screening test (also called a glucose challenge test or GCT) between now and 28 weeks. This test checks for gestational diabetes, a pregnancy-related high-blood-sugar condition. Untreated diabetes increases your risk of having a difficult vaginal delivery or needing a cesarean section because it causes your baby to grow too large, especially in his upper body. It also raises your baby's odds for other complications like low blood sugar right after birth. A positive result on your GCT doesn't mean you have gestational diabetes, but it does mean that you'll need to take the glucose tolerance test (GTT) to find out for sure.

Finally, if you don't already know how to spot the signs of preterm labor, now's the time to learn. Contact your caregiver immediately if you notice any of the signs mentioned below.

23 Weeks!

Your pregnancy: 23 weeks

How your baby's growing:
Turn on the radio and sway to the music. With her sense of movement well developed by now, your baby can feel you dance. And now that she's more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound (about as much as a large mango), you may be able to see her squirm underneath your clothes. Blood vessels in her lungs are developing to prepare for breathing, and the sounds that your baby's increasingly keen ears pick up are preparing her for entry into the outside world. Loud noises that become familiar now — such as your dog barking or the roar of the vacuum cleaner — probably won't faze her when she hears them outside the womb.

How your life's changing:

You may notice that your ankles and feet start to swell a bit in the coming weeks or months, especially at the end of the day or during the heat of summer. Sluggish circulation in your legs — coupled with changes in your blood chemistry that may cause some water retention — may result in swelling, also known as edema. Your body will get rid of the extra fluid after you have your baby, which is why you'll pee frequently and sweat a lot for a few days after delivery. In the meantime, lie on your left side or put your feet up when you can, stretch out your legs when you sit, and avoid sitting — or standing — in one place for long periods. Also, try to exercise regularly to increase circulation, and wear support stockings (put them on first thing in the morning) and roomy, comfortable shoes. You may be tempted to skimp on liquids to combat swelling, but you need to drink plenty of water because staying hydrated actually helps prevent fluid retention. While a certain amount of edema in your lower extremities is normal during pregnancy, excessive swelling may be a sign of a serious condition called preeclampsia. Be sure to call your midwife or doctor if you have severe or sudden swelling of your feet or ankles, more than slight swelling of your hands, swelling in your face, or puffiness around your eyes.

Pregnancy Updates

As you can gather from the lack of postings, I've been really busy with the holidays and concerts etc. Things should calm down next week after my studio recital is over, and then I can really focus on baby stuff, Christmas shopping, and Momplicity's grand opening in January (yes, I AM crazy to be starting a new business 3 months before I'm having my first child!). I just thought I would summarize new symptoms/thoughts that I can think of that I've had in the past month. Hmmm....well, I've really felt pretty good, and I've finally started to REALLY pop in the last 3 weeks. My bump is kindof 'tall' I think, because of my long torso. Baby G is over a pound, and almost a foot long! I was feeling him move quite a bit, but it's subsided a little in the last week (and hearing that heartbeat again at our appointment yesterday was once again such a relief because of this!). The midwife always finds his heartbeat very quickly, and it's nice and strong. Hopefully we're raising a strong baby boy! At our next appointment in a month we'll get another ultrasound and find out how the placenta previa is doing (which I've since found out was 'complete' previa - the most 'severe' form). But my midwife still isn't worried. It's in God's hands, and we will just wait and see what happens. I have been having some worry about labor creeping in, and one of my fears is that when it gets really close the anxiety will cause insomnia (when I REALLY need to be sleeping and stocking up on sleep). Oh well - the Lord will provide and make me strong. Lots of women who have low pain tolerance have had babies, and continue to have babies! I WILL SURVIVE!!! Other symptoms...really my biggest complaint is sleeping on my sides exclusively. I like sleeping on my sides, but not ONLY my sides. I do try to occasionally sleep on my back, but I have to wake up, get another pillow (3 total) and prop myself up so I'm at at least a 30 degree angle. I've never slept like that, and I just don't sleep very well propped up like that. It gets old waking up so often during the night, trying to get in a comfortable position (and I know this will get even much worse as my belly gets larger). So I'm a little tired from waking up so much, and I feel like I wake up George too, which makes me feel bad. It is one of those times that I wish we had another bed in the house, because I think we would both sleep better (for the time being). But, looking at the big picture, I GLADLY do all this for the reward that awaits me in 3 months. I love him so much, and am just so excited to meet him and hold and kiss him! Plus, I know I'm one of the lucky few who really has had a very easy pregnancy - it could be SO much worse. We are looking into a hypnobirthing class, and I'm really excited. We are going to take it with this other couple that is due right around the same time as us, that G knows (the wife) through cycling. They were at our marriage retreat, and they're really cool! And we're really starting to think about logistics such as taking the pregnancy pathways class, doing paperwork, and getting the nursery ready (see previous post). Other symptoms.... regularity has been more 'regular', occasionally I get mild calf cramps at night (I think from laying on my sides), starting to get some acid reflux (mild) so I just have to stop eating within an hour of going to bed, getting winded more easily, belly has been itchy (though my whole body has been itchy because of the winter!), muscle soreness from laying in the same positions at night. That's all I can think of! I finally passed that 130 lb marker! I was 134.6 lbs. at this last appointment! That means I'm really pregnant (this isn't just all a cruel joke!). I've been more consistently wearing maternity clothes, and am fitting in them a little better. I just spent $108 on them at Old Navy, which I felt pretty guilty about, but I just REALLY needed them! And when G and I were in Denver for Thanksgiving, his family (esp. sisters) enjoyed seeing my small bump, and Jeanne gave us a BUNCH of baby clothes that we are SOOOOO grateful for!!!! Thanks sis! My favorite is the one that says 'Lock up your daughters'!!!! LOVE it! Haven't really bought any other baby stuff lately, as yard sale season is officially over. I did buy a couple maternity things at Fashion Junkie, a second-hand store. We are going to ask for that type of thing for Christmas. Other than that, it's been a fairly uneventful time of the pregnancy, and I feel good! Enjoying sporting my small bump, and I've found that I like the tighter shirts better than the 'billowy' ones! Anyway, that's what I can think of right now! Sorry this post is a little sporadic - I just write what comes to my mind! Oh! I just found out my friend Riana who is due a week before me is having a boy, and my friend Klover is having a girl (due three weeks after), and my friend Jenny is having a girl (due right after me?) - so lots of playdate opps! Also, we got our blood work test results back (from week 15) and found out he has only a 1 in 10,000 chance of having down syndrome, spinabifida, and something else (neural tube defect?). That's reassuring! Also, George's friend Brad and his wife are having a boy about two months before us, and they're gonna want a nanny probably, after like 3 or 4 months, and I really want to take care of they're little boy (this would enable me to be a stay-at-home mom and get paid a little for it!). Also, one of my other good friends just found out she was expecting - soooo excited! She'll be about 3 months behind me! She will remain nameless for now, but I'm super excited for them! Anyway, I think that's a pretty comprehensive summary of pregnancy-related happenings! Feel free to comment on anything I discussed!!

Time is Going SO Fast!

Wow - We're well over halfway, and I'm starting to freak out a little! Getting a LITTLE bit of anxiety about labor, and I really need to start thinking about nursery decor/theme, and researching jogger strollers, car seats, furniture etc. We also need to clean George's 'office' and start thinking about where we're going to store some of the furniture in there to make room for nursery furniture/supplies. It's almost halfway through December, and next month is when we're going to do the nursery (before we get too busy and before I get TOO pregnant!). Then, not to mention, I need to start thinking about my shower (theme, guest list, registry etc.). So, since I'm freaking out a little, I'm going to make a to-do list right here, so I can get my thoughts out!

1. Find a place to store G's couch, closet unit, bike stand, and filing cabinet.
2. Move his desk into my office, and purge my desk (sell?, donate?).
3. Reorganize and combine our desks and filing cabinets.
4. Decide on nursery colors/theme.
5. Paint and decorate nursery.
6. Research and decide on what we want as far as: car seat, stroller, crib, changing table, dresser, rocker, other storage in nursery.
7. Create registry.
8. Wash and hang the clothes that have been donated to us so far.
9. Store off-season clothes in plastic bins.
10. Move coats/jackets to nursery closet (and store off-season in plastic bins).
11. Ask who will help mom and Janae host my shower - theme?
12. Consider doing a Denver shower - who host?
13. Create guest list for shower(s).
14. Register for hypnobirthing class.
15. Register for Pregnancy Pathways express class and labor and delivery tour.
16. Look into prenatal yoga.
17. Do all the paperwork that I need to do (research).
18. Keep reading hypnobirthing book.
19. Get together with Kim (doula).
20. Do my birth plan.
21. Continue to write down positive thoughts that will help me through the labor process.
22. Have mom, Janae, and George watch 'The Business of Being Born'

Okay, I'm feeling a little better since I now have a good idea of what all I need to do. Now, I just need to DO it!!!

22 Weeks!

Your pregnancy: 22 weeks

How your baby's growing:
At 11 inches (the length of a spaghetti squash) and almost 1 pound, your baby is starting to look like a miniature newborn. His lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and he's even developing tiny tooth buds beneath his gums. His eyes have formed, but his irises (the colored part of the eye) still lack pigment. If you could see inside your womb, you'd be able to spot the fine hair (lanugo) that covers his body and the deep wrinkles on his skin, which he'll sport until he adds a padding of fat to fill them in. Inside his belly, his pancreas — essential for the production of some important hormones — is developing steadily.

How your life's changing:

At this point, you may find your belly becoming a hand magnet. It's perfectly okay to tell folks who touch your tummy that you'd rather they didn't. And if people are telling you that you look smaller or bigger than you should at this point, remember that each woman grows — and shows — at her own rate. What's important is that you see your practitioner for regular visits so she can make sure your baby's growth is on track.

You may start to notice stretch marks on your abdomen as it expands to accommodate your growing baby. At least half of all pregnant women will develop stretch marks by the time they give birth. These small streaks of differently textured skin can range from pink to dark brown (depending on your skin color). Although they most commonly appear on your tummy, stretch marks may also show up on your buttocks, thighs, hips, and breasts. There's no proof that lotion helps prevent stretch marks, but keeping your skin moisturized may help with any itching.


Surprising Facts: Body changes beyond your belly
You expected your belly to grow — and perhaps your breasts, too — but the following physical changes may take you by surprise. As with many pregnancy changes, hormones play a role in most of these alterations in your looks.

• Thicker, more lustrous hair You're not actually growing more hair, just losing less than normal. During pregnancy, your body sheds hair much more slowly than it did before. What to do: If thicker hair is a boon for you, enjoy it. If it's making your mane more unruly than ever, ask your stylist to do some thinning at your next cut. These changes won't last forever. After your baby's born, you'll start to lose this excess hair, sometimes in clumps.

• Increased body hair Sex hormones known as androgens can cause new hair to sprout on your chin, upper lip, jaw, and cheeks. Stray hairs can also pop up on your belly, arms, legs, and back. What to do: Tweezing, waxing, and shaving are all safe ways to manage these temporary changes.

• Faster-growing fingernails Your fingernails may grow more quickly than usual, and you may notice changes in texture. Some women's nails get harder, while others' get softer or more brittle. What to do: Protect your nails by wearing rubber gloves when you're cleaning, and using moisturizer on them if they're brittle.

• Skin changes Some pregnant women report that their skin has never looked better. If that's you, enjoy the proverbial "glow." Others find the hormones of pregnancy aggravate skin conditions such as acne. What to do: Wash twice a day with a gentle soap or cleanser, and make sure that any moisturizer or makeup you use is oil-free.

• Stretch marks As your belly expands to accommodate your growing baby, you may get tiny tears in the supportive tissue that lies just beneath your skin, resulting in striations of varying color. These marks will begin to fade and become considerably less noticeable about six to 12 months after you give birth. There's not much you can do besides trying not to gain more than the recommended amount of weight. Heredity is responsible for the natural elasticity of your skin and plays a role in determining who will end up with stretch marks.

• Skin discolorations Increased melanin can cause splotchy patches of darkened skin on your face. These pigment changes may become intensified if you spend time in the sun. What to do: Protect your face by using a sunblock that offers both UVA and UVB protection with an SPF of 30 or higher, wearing a hat with a brim, and avoiding the sun during peak hours of the day (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.).

• Larger and darker nipples and areolas You may find that your nipples and the pigmented area around them (the areolas) are getting bigger and darker. The little bumps on your areolas, known as Montgomery's tubercles, may also be more pronounced. These bumps are oil-producing glands that help fight off bacteria and lubricate the skin. Some women also notice more pronounced veins in their breasts. What to do: Nothing!

• Larger feet Your feet may go up half a shoe size or more. Lax ligaments may make your feet spread a bit — permanently. Swelling can make your shoes feel tight as well, although it will go away after delivery. What to do: Buy comfortable shoes to accommodate your growing feet.