It is safe to assume that your body will change throughout your pregnancy. Though we periodically hear stories of women who went to the doctor for abdominal pain and came home with a baby, not knowing they were even pregnant! For most of us, we will certainly feel and see the changes our body goes through throughout the pregnancy.

The obvious change is your growing belly, due to the new life growing inside you. Other elements affecting your body may not be as obvious, and may or may not affect you.

You may notice, even before your belly begins to expand that your pelvic bone widens and your jeans may start to feel a bit snugger. This is due to the loosening of your hip bone, which occurs in order to prepare your body for the birth.

You may have also been told to avoid salt during your pregnancy. This is due to water retention and is typically associated with the third trimester. Most women experience some swelling during their pregnancy. It is common to experience mild edema in the feet, legs and hands, even the face. This is due to the increased blood volume in the body during the pregnancy. Some woman may experience more swelling than others. See your doctor if you feel the swelling is extensive or abnormal.

While all these changes, combined with elevated level of hormones, can result in frustration with your body, it is best to try and see the up side of things, and remember it is all temporary. Your body is changing because of the baby growing inside, and after the birth your body will change again. This is certainly not the time to start a diet, but a short while after you deliver, you can start working on your figure again, if you wish.

Do not be discouraged when you look in the mirror, but find ways to enjoy these changes while they last. Treat yourself to new items of clothing, shop for maternity clothes that will enhance your celebrated curves and don’t throw out all you have in your closet. You never know, you may fit into them sooner than you thought.