The last days before childbirth. Causes of acne during pregnancy

Time flew by quickly, and now the pregnancy is nearing its end. The tummy is already large, women often experience discomfort, and besides, they want to meet the baby more and more. This is a period of experience and even some fear. Usually, a woman's experiences come down to a few moments, these are the sudden onset of childbirth, and the fear of childbirth itself. Women begin to listen more carefully to their body, sensations, and how the baby behaves. Women have a question, are there any harbingers of childbirth, and how does the body prepare for childbirth?

Harbingers of childbirth, what is it?
Harbingers of childbirth are usually called special changes in the body of a pregnant woman, which she herself feels, or which are noticeable from the outside. Just at this time, the body begins to prepare for childbirth, so that they pass safely for the woman and the child. Of course, all this preparation took place over the course of 9 months, but the main part of this preparation falls just at this time.

At this time, the body is busy with the key moments of childbirth, namely, so that they are not swift and protracted, it allows the birth canal to prepare, the cervix at this time is preparing to open up. After that, it is necessary to ensure the normal progress of the child through the birth canal, so that the child is not injured and is born safely. For this, the birth canal should be moderately elastic, but at the same time dense, to prevent ruptures. In addition, the woman's pelvis is being prepared for the baby's head to pass through it.

At first, the cervix becomes soft and is able to miss 2 fingers of an obstetrician-gynecologist, which corresponds to two centimeters. The tummy drops as the head of the crumbs descends into the cavity of the small pelvis, and fits snugly against the entrance of the small pelvis. To ensure all these activities will take more than one day.

How does it arise?
Preparing for childbirth is carried out by sex hormones, before the birth itself, the hormonal background in the woman's body changes, there is an increase in the production of estrogen and there is a sharp decrease in the level of progesterone. Just due to the decrease in progesterone, the tone of the uterus increases, it prepares for contractions. Mucus changes in the cervix, this mucus protected the baby and amniotic fluid from infection. Progesterone also controlled the growth and development of the child, maintained the optimal amount of nutrients. In addition, it was this hormone that controlled the delivery of oxygen to the baby, and “followed” the work of the placenta.

Before childbirth, the concentration of female sex hormones increases, their main goal is to prepare the woman and the birth canal for childbirth. Female sex hormones are responsible for the elasticity, suppleness and extensibility of the birth canal, it depends on them how effectively and quickly the cervix will open. In the second stage of labor, when the cervix is ​​fully dilated, it is important how stretchable the walls of the vagina and vulva will be. The duration of attempts directly depends on the degree of extensibility of the vagina.

Contractions are nothing more than a period of increasing levels of female sex hormones. The release of estrogens causes the formation of a nerve impulse that goes to the brain, and already the brain transmits a signal to the uterus, which causes it to contract.

When will the birth be?
Harbingers of labor can appear at completely different times, and their appearance does not mean that labor will begin immediately, or the deadline is the next day. In addition, harbingers are not a cause for concern, this is not a disease or pathology. Do not run to the doctor, and once again worry. By the way, this is also not a reason to pack and go to the hospital, the harbingers are the restructuring of the female body and preparation for childbirth, this is a planned event.

But it is worth remembering that not all women can notice the precursors, and their absence does not indicate any pathology. For some women, they may not be clear, and some women are so longingly waiting for the onset of labor that they do not notice the changes. Of course, in the antenatal clinic, pregnant women for long periods only talk about harbingers, and women who do not have one should not think that the body is not preparing for the appearance of the baby, and that childbirth will be difficult.

In the event that the first harbingers of childbirth appear, this indicates that the mother will soon meet her baby, but childbirth can begin in a couple of hours and in a couple of weeks. The beginning of hormonal changes on average begins two weeks before the birth, so there is still time. In any case, childbirth cannot take place without you.

Attention!!!
Every woman needs to be aware of some conditions that are not harbingers, but the appearance of these symptoms require immediate medical attention. These conditions include: various bleeding from the genital tract, especially scarlet, fever, accompanied by severe pain in the abdomen, diarrhea and vomiting.

This group can also include an increase in blood pressure above 130/80, heart palpitations, headache and visual disturbances. It is urgent to consult a doctor if swelling has increased, and there are suspicions that amniotic fluid is leaking.

Harbingers.
Throughout the pregnancy, a woman gradually gains weight, replenishes the reserves that she will need in childbirth, and for recovery after childbirth, closer to childbirth, the woman loses some weight, and this is a harbinger. Weight loss in the last weeks of pregnancy can be explained by the release of excess water. It's no secret that the more pronounced the weight of a woman, the stronger the swelling, and as a result, a woman will lose a large mass in preparation for childbirth.

Fluid retention is common to all pregnant women, but the degree of severity is different, in some women the edema is very pronounced, in others it is less noticeable. Progesterone helps to retain fluid, which, as mentioned above, supports pregnancy, before the birth itself, the concentration of the hormone decreases, and there is no one to retain water. This is how water is removed. But, not only progesterone helps rid the body of excess water, estrogens also come to the rescue, which can remove puffiness in the hands, feet and legs, for these reasons, it will become easier to put on shoes, it will be possible to wear a wedding ring, favorite watch, etc. Weight loss before childbirth can range from 0.5 - 3 kg.

In the near future before childbirth, women experience a loosening of the stool, and since most pregnant women have a tendency to constipation, such a harbinger of childbirth is hard to miss. The loosening of the stool occurs due to the work of estrogens, which enhance the process of fluid secretion into the intestine and increase its peristalsis. The same changes can be observed in girls who are not pregnant during menstruation. Basically, before childbirth, the stool can be 2-3 times a day, but not diarrhea with abdominal pain with a sharp change in the smell and color of the stool. These symptoms may indicate intestinal infections. And in the event that there is a loosening of the stool, accompanied by fever, vomiting, abdominal pain, it is immediately necessary to call an ambulance.

One of the most famous harbingers of childbirth is the prolapse of the abdomen. As mentioned above, this is due to the omission of the bottom of the uterus, and the baby's head rests against the entrance to the small pelvis. The baby takes the most comfortable and advantageous position, preparing to be born. The stomach drops and pressure on the diaphragm disappears, it becomes easier for a woman to breathe, shortness of breath and heartburn disappear, which is also hard not to notice. The woman has an appetite, and she begins to eat better.

But, minor troubles also appear, since the baby is now lower, he begins to put pressure on the bladder and ureters more, because of this, the urge to urinate becomes more frequent, in addition, the rectum is located nearby, and the urge to defecate also become more frequent.

A little bit later…
Thanks to the secretion of mucus by the cervix, the baby is well protected from infection. This mucus forms a plug that blocks the entrance to the cervix. Mucus contains a lot of leukocytes, macrophages and other protective factors. Before childbirth, the cervix becomes soft, and the cervical canal dilates, the cork is no longer able to hold on and it is released to the outside. The release of this plug can occur in different ways, immediately and simultaneously, then it looks like a slimy clot that has no smell, and the discharge process is absolutely painless. The cork can also come out in parts, while white clots can be found, and if the cork begins to come out even after a gynecological examination, then it can be stained with blood clots.

In some cases, women may notice discomfort in the lower abdomen, heaviness, a feeling of fullness. When the cork leaves, it is not recommended to take a bath, swim in various reservoirs, have sex, as there is a risk of infection of the amniotic fluid.

Training contractions can begin as early as the second half of pregnancy, but immediately before childbirth, they become more frequent and intense, as the uterus prepares for childbirth. Such contractions are painless and the woman feels them like a stony stomach, in addition, such contractions do not lead to the opening of the cervix. Labor pains are painful, and have an increasing character, if in doubt, in any case, you should consult a doctor.

A couple of weeks before childbirth, due to a change in the elasticity of the ligamentous apparatus of the uterus, a woman may feel discomfort in the sacrum, discomfort, there may be a feeling of fullness due to blood flow to the pelvic organs, but basically such sensations are not very pronounced.

nesting syndrome.
Before the birth itself, the emotional state of a woman changes, she may cry for no reason, or there may be bouts of love and tenderness, or a desire to wash the whole house, climb onto the highest shelves and take everything apart, wash windows, even in winter. These mood swings can happen even during the day. This is the nesting syndrome, a woman prepares a nest for herself, a place where she will return with her baby.

Changes in well-being are also characteristic, there may be hot flashes to the head, excessive sweating, dizziness - this can be explained by nervous and endocrine changes. The baby also changes his behavior, he is already cramped in his stomach. And his mother feels very well his every push. The woman's gait also does not remain unchanged, usually it looks like a duck's gait, a woman rolls from foot to foot when walking, due to a shift in the center of gravity.

When a long-awaited pregnancy comes, all thoughts are only about the future baby. Boy or girl? The main thing is to be born healthy. The woman glows with happiness, a sparkle appears in her eyes. But when, along with joy, acne appears on the face, I want to get rid of them as soon as possible. Why do acne jump during pregnancy, which overshadow all the joy?

Who are we expecting: a boy or a girl?

When a woman is expecting a baby, and acne of different levels and sizes is poured out on her face, it is believed that a girl will be born. People often say: "My daughter took the beauty." And vice versa, if acne does not increase, it even becomes less, then, in accordance with folk signs, a boy should be born.

Acne can appear on the forehead, chin, cheeks, back, abdomen. Does the sex of the baby really affect the appearance of rashes during pregnancy?

There are several opinions about this in scientific medicine. Some believe that this is complete nonsense, while others quite reasonably explain such coincidences. It's all about changing the hormonal background of a woman. The gender of the child has its influence on this aspect, however, to a small extent. Boys and girls can determine the nature of its changes, but only when their gender has been determined exactly. This can only happen at a later date. Rashes in the early period cannot be a sign of who will be born.

Acne in pregnant women in the earliest stages appears due to toxicosis, which affects the functioning of the digestive tract and the general restructuring of the body, including the hormonal system. You can determine the sex of the child by the shape of the abdomen. If there is a boy, then the belly strongly protrudes forward, when a girl, it is distributed evenly throughout the peritoneum, capturing the sides. Folk experts establish the gender of the unborn child and other signs. Of course, they are often mistaken, so it is better to determine the sex of the child by an ultrasound examination, and not guess who will be born by acne.

Causes

The occurrence is less common than on the face. Especially often acne breaks out in the first and last trimester, when the female body is either rebuilt to carry the fetus, or prepare for the end of this mission.

It is believed that if a woman had skin problems before pregnancy, then the likelihood that acne will appear during pregnancy increases. Of course, every woman's body is different. The opposite may also happen.

Here are the medical reasons for the appearance of such a disease as acne:

Delay acne

The situation when they were late is familiar to many women. Can you conclude that you are pregnant? According to a number of signs, in the first trimester of pregnancy, there is indeed a frequent rash due to the restructuring of the female body and the activation of the function of bearing a child. Some of the characteristic signs are: delay and the appearance of acne.

However, such symptoms may appear during the inflammatory process, and not only the reproductive system. They can be triggered by the common cold and flu. The retention and breakout of pimples can be a sign of hormonal changes, but this is not a guaranteed symptom of pregnancy. Often before, which need to be treated only externally. No pathology is observed in the body. Therefore, when it appears before menstruation, it should not be considered a sign of pregnancy. However, it doesn't hurt to check. In the early stages, there are many other transformations that can serve as a sign that a woman is in a position.

Another reason for delayed menstruation and acne can be nervous stress. At the same time, the woman is nervous, and the body begins to produce substances harmful to it, from which to strive. Delays can be triggered by nervousness, worries, anxiety, fear. By themselves, delays in menstruation, of course, should alert. Every girl or woman begins to suspect something when a delay occurs, but whether there are pimples or not does not matter.

Prevention

Prevention of skin rashes includes the following:

• If nothing can be done about physiological changes and hormonal changes in the body during pregnancy, then another cause can be prevented. For this, it is important to observe the drinking regimen. In the first trimester of bearing a child, the amount of drinking water consumed should be 2 liters (if there is no tendency to edema). This is enough to maintain the optimal level of water in the body.
• Proper skin care is very important. It is desirable to wash with natural means, without artificial additives. Perfect for baby soap. Wipe the skin of the face with lotions and tonics without alcohol. It is also recommended to use fresh decoctions of medicinal herbs if there are no allergic reactions to them.
• A balanced diet is an important component for the prevention of acne. The body of a pregnant woman needs vitamins most of all. And as you know, the beauty of the skin comes from within. This is very important for the proper development of the baby.
• Fresh air is good for the skin and for the body of a pregnant woman as a whole. The lack of oxygen negatively affects the skin. It is advisable to spend more time outside, especially in the evening when the air is cleaner.

What to treat?

During childbearing, the likelihood of allergic reactions increases. Before using any means, it is better to consult a specialist. Use those that are natural and safe.

Why can't acne during pregnancy be removed with levomycetin, peroxide, zinc ointment on the forehead, nose, chin? These substances have a rather high concentration of active chemical elements, some of them are antibiotics. They will certainly help reduce acne during pregnancy, but it is better to opt for natural remedies. In case of delayed menstruation, acne should also be treated with safe, neutral medicines. will help:

It often happens that with the birth of a child, acne disappears on its own. The hormonal background is restored. But there are also cases when a woman, long after giving birth, has to deal with an ailment on her face and treat them with various means. The sex of the child here, as we see, has nothing to do with it. Be that as it may, the occurrence of acne in pregnant women is a temporary trouble and cannot overshadow the joy of motherhood.

A pregnant woman is significantly transformed over the course of 9 months. Many say that all pregnant women look somehow especially beautiful, because being a mother is so good! But against the background of other external ones - an enviably rounded tummy, breast enlargement, changes in the condition of the hair, the appearance of a mysterious spark in the eyes - this very face does not always look as harmonious as we would like. It may suddenly appear (the so-called pregnancy mask) or bloom exactly the same as in adolescents, acne.

Causes of acne during pregnancy

People say that girls take beauty away from a woman, so the appearance of acne during pregnancy was considered an indirect sign of the birth of a daughter. But there is another version, as if acne indicates that a woman is carrying a boy. In fact, sex determination and acne during pregnancy are unrelated. Their appearance is determined by hormones.

As you know, the hormonal background of a pregnant woman is constantly changing, and very actively and violently, and the consequences of these changes are very difficult to predict. Theoretically, the higher the level of progesterone and the greater the “amplitude of fluctuations” of hormones, the more likely it is that a woman will be sprinkled. Most often it occurs already in the first trimester of pregnancy.

In addition to performing its direct functions to preserve pregnancy, it significantly increases the production of sebum. Namely, this is the cause of the appearance of acne, because the pores of the skin are very clogged.

The likelihood of acne during pregnancy and dehydration of the female body increases. At the same time, the concentration of hormones in the blood increases, and manifestations in the form of acne increase.

How to deal with acne during pregnancy?

You are unlikely to succeed in changing the hormonal background to eliminate acne. The process goes by itself, naturally. And all that remains for you is to put up with this temporary nuisance. Remember: for the child and the gestation itself, acne does not pose any danger, but this is the most important thing now. But of course, we also do not forget about the aesthetics and health of the skin.

Daily hygiene is a must! And with its indispensable moisturizing. The opinion that oily skin does not need to be moisturized is wrong. Choose quality soft skin care products - free of alcohol, fragrances, salicylic acid, hormones and other undesirable ingredients.

If the skin is very greasy - clean it several times a day, removing excess fat.

With acne, the use of a scrub is undesirable, because it contributes to the spread of acne on the face. But clay masks will benefit.

Do not use any ointments or take any medications without medical prescription. Of the ointments, everything is generally contraindicated, except for Skinoren. It should be applied in a very thin layer (you can only directly on the pimple), but before that you should definitely consult a doctor.

Resist the temptation to squeeze pimples and generally touch them with hands, especially unclean ones, otherwise the situation will worsen at times.

Drink enough liquid to lower the concentration of hormones in the blood (8-9 glasses a day). Walking and gymnastics will also benefit your skin. Follow the nutritional recommendations for the expectant mother: a lot of vegetables and fruits, crumbly cereals. And be sure to take (but not synthetic, but natural). Many women, thanks to vitamin and mineral complexes, manage to reduce the manifestation of acne or avoid it altogether.

If acne gives you some psychological discomfort, mask it with tonal means - good quality creams are not contraindicated during pregnancy. But in general, it is better to contact a specialist for professional advice and get an answer to the question of what to do with acne during pregnancy.

When will pregnancy acne disappear?

It is impossible to predict whether you will be sprinkled with acne during the period of bearing a child. But there are factors that predispose to a deterioration in the condition of the face. So, if you have previously suffered from oily skin and acne, then it is almost certain that the situation will worsen with the onset of pregnancy. Even if you have never suffered from acne and naturally have normal clear skin, this is not a guarantee that it will remain so during the bearing of a child.

But the opposite also happens: when the face of a pregnant woman is cleansed and shines with beauty and health, as never before. Do not rush to rejoice or despair: everything must pass. It's just not known exactly when.

In most cases, acne during pregnancy disappears after the first trimester or immediately after childbirth. Some women suffer from acne for a long period of time and after the birth of the baby. Here, probably, everything depends on how quickly the hormonal background of the mother will even out and return to normal. But now you will have a lot of other worries, more important and entertaining than acne.

Let nothing overshadow the joys of motherhood!

Especially for- Elena Kichak

Pregnancy is the state of a woman's body, which is accompanied by a change in hormonal levels. The skin is especially susceptible and sensitive to such drastic changes, so acne during pregnancy in various parts of the body is considered quite common.

Often, a future mother has a lot of worries about such tubercles, since they not only make the appearance of a woman less attractive, but are accompanied by the development of a feeling of discomfort. Acne is a sure sign of increased progesterone activity. It is for this reason that the problem of the causes of acne and age spots and methods of their treatment is considered important while waiting for the baby.

Changes in the body during pregnancy

During pregnancy, a number of transformations are observed in a woman's body, and, above all, hormonal changes occur. When pregnancy occurs, the active production of progesterone begins - this is the hormone of the female body, which is characterized by increased activity before menstruation.

Progesterone has a negative effect on the condition of the skin:

• the first sign of increased sebum production is clogging and inflammation of the pores;
• there is an active work of the sweat glands and a sure sign of this process is increased sweating;
• skin fibers lose their elasticity;
• there is an active process of reproduction of bacteria, since the skin has reduced resistance to their effects.

The period before menstruation, as well as after its completion, is controlled by the following hormones:

• Estrogen is responsible for the first phase of the menstrual cycle. Its action is aimed at actively removing those unpleasant changes on the skin that occurred under the influence of progesterone.
• In the second phase of the cycle before menstruation, the hormone progesterone is activated and the first sign of its activity is the appearance of acne. In case of successful conception, such small tubercles persist both during the delay and in the early stages of pregnancy. Before menstruation, there is an active release of progesterone and the result is the appearance of acne on such areas of the body as the chin and forehead.

Causes of pathology

Despite the fact that female hormones are the main reason for the development of such a cosmetic defect, there are some factors that contribute to the appearance of unpleasant points on the face, abdomen and back, both in the early stages of waiting for the baby and before childbirth. There are the following reasons for the formation of acne during pregnancy:

All these reasons lead to the fact that there is an intense process of acne during pregnancy in various parts of the body, and most of them are observed on the face, back and chest. To prevent the development of such a cosmetic defect, it is necessary to eliminate the causes and factors contributing to the manifestation of such a pathology.

Acne treatment

The appearance of a large number of acne on the skin of a pregnant woman is the first sign that it is necessary to seek advice from a dermatologist. Treating acne during pregnancy with various creams and lotions is unlikely to be a useful exercise, since the causes of this pathological skin condition lie in the change in the hormonal background of a woman and the active production of progesterone. You can treat such a cosmetic defect with the help of special herbal lotions and masks, after consulting with your doctor.

You can use the following traditional medicine recipes;

If there is an active growth of acne before menstruation and in the early stages of bearing a child, then at the beginning of the second trimester there is a significant decrease in their number. This is a sure sign that the problem is starting to recede and her attractive appearance will soon return to the woman.

The skin reacts primarily to hormonal changes inside the body of a woman carrying a child. They often pour out, and acne during pregnancy is also a frequent phenomenon. They are quite painful, accompanied by a constant feeling of discomfort, and most importantly, they spoil the appearance of a woman whose happiness should not be overshadowed by anything in such an interesting position.

Why acne appears and how to deal with them are the two most pressing issues for all pregnant women with problem skin.

The main reason for this cosmetic defect is a radical restructuring of the hormonal background of the female body. However, there are a number of factors that aggravate this situation and contribute to skin rashes. Therefore, in order to get rid of them, you need to know why acne appears during pregnancy in order to exclude these very provoking factors. The reasons may be:

• the amount of progesterone produced in the body increases - a hormone that activates the activity of the sebaceous subcutaneous glands: the result is a favorable environment for the formation of acne;
• nervous experiences, stressful situations, fears of childbirth, tantrums, neuroses - any psychological instability and disturbed mental balance;
• malnutrition (a lot of fatty, spicy, salty foods);
• bad habits (smoking, alcohol abuse even in the form of a glass of red wine or a glass of beer);
• lack of fresh air;
• poor skin care (use of low-quality cosmetics, insufficient cleansing of skin pores from sebaceous plugs and other types of pollution);
• dehydration of the body (wrong).

All this can provoke the appearance of acne during pregnancy, and acne can be observed on the face (especially many of them are localized on the cheeks and on the chin), back, chest. To avoid such a nuisance, if possible, you need to exclude provoking factors from your life, although it is almost impossible to influence the hormonal background during pregnancy and your skin type. However, a number of preventive measures will still help improve skin condition.

Preventive measures

If acne has not yet appeared during pregnancy, you can prevent acne, and then you can avoid this cosmetic nuisance or make it not so large-scale. These measures would be good to carry out 1-2 months before conception and in the very first days and weeks of pregnancy, when the body is still being rebuilt, and the skin has not yet had time to react to it.

1. Remember to take care of your skin during pregnancy. Daily cleansing with a gel and skin tonic treatment, weekly cleansing procedures (soft scrubs and steam baths), the use of homemade masks - all this will improve the condition of the skin and prepare it for the upcoming hormonal changes.
2. Limit the amount of fatty, salty and spicy foods in your diet. Avoid carbonated drinks. Eat more fruits and vegetables.
3. Be outdoors more often.
4. Review the set of cosmetics you use: are they all safe and of high quality?
5. Try to be less nervous: stressful situations will not benefit the skin during the period of bearing a baby.
6. Drink more water: up to 2 liters a day.

If rashes still appear, you will have to go through a small educational program on how to deal with acne during pregnancy in order to somehow clear your face of an unpleasant cosmetic defect. It is not a fact that you can get rid of them 100%, but at least the inflammation will not be as acute and there will not be as many of them as if you leave everything to chance. In this case, do not forget about the above preventive measures: they not only prevent the appearance of acne, but are also an adjunct therapy to the main remedies against them.

Acne treatment during pregnancy

Traditional medicine offers a huge number of recipes for treating acne during pregnancy, but any of these remedies must be used with extreme care. The composition must not comply with aggressive substances that cause allergic reactions. To exclude side effects and complications, it is better to test each remedy on the sensitive skin of the wrist beforehand. If no allergies are found, you can safely use skin treatments. Most often these are masks and compresses for the face, but they can also be used to remove acne on the back, chest and other parts of the body.

• masks based on green or black cosmetic clay, they should be applied especially thickly to those places where there are more rashes (usually on the chin and cheeks) - do it twice a week;
• you can also use strawberry, apricot, raspberry and grape masks made from natural berries: they have anti-inflammatory properties - they can be alternated with cosmetic clay masks;
• fruit peels;
• ice cubes from herbal decoctions: rubbing all problem parts of the body in the morning, this method is especially effective in eliminating acne on the chest;
• steam baths based on herbs to narrow the pores.

Traditional medicine is not always safe for expectant mothers, so it is recommended that before using any of the above recipes and remedies for acne, take a consultation with a doctor - an observing gynecologist, cosmetologist or dermatologist. Do not use store-bought products and pharmacy preparations without the recommendations of specialists, especially if they contain substances harmful to pregnant women, such as:

• antibiotics;
• steroids;
• benzene peroxide;
• salicylic acid.

Of course, beauty is important for a woman in any of her condition, but in a position she needs to think first of all about the health of her baby. If it was not possible to get rid of acne, the fact that after childbirth and lactation they will become much less, and in some cases they will disappear altogether, should be reassuring.