©Pregnancy bliss 2008

Effect of pregnancy on the genital tract

 

The genital tract undergoes steady changes during the course of pregnancy. There is a dramatic increase in the blood supply to the vulva and vagina. These areas become engorged and the vagina increases in length and ability to stretch, in preparation for the delivery.

 

In some cases, this may become a problem, with development of varicose veins on the vulva. This can become extremely uncomfortable. What is more, it is not possible to cure these before delivery.

 

There is usually increased vaginal discharge, which may alarm some women.

Apart from the physical changes, there is significant lowering of the vaginal pH, making it more acidic. This change helps prevent bacterial infections. However, the flip-side of this is that the acidic environment promotes the flourishing of candidiasis (thrush), a problem that is quite common in pregnancy. While vaginal thrush does not endanger the pregnancy, it can be a major and protracted nuisance to the expectant mother.

 

Stretch marks  in pregnancy

The dreared stretch marks! These are a direct result of the distension of the abdomen, which causes rupturing of the connective tissue underneath the skin. This is why stretch marks are invariably a late feature in pregnancy.

 

 

Some women are more prone than others. Obesity increases the risk of this happening. In the white population, blonde women are more prone.

 

The stretch marks may actually become pigmented, sometimes becoming dark brown, even black. The pigmentation fades after delivery, leaving silvery-white irregular lines known as striae.

 

 

 

While many types of lotions, so-called natural oils and creams have been claimed to be effective, there is no evidence that any of them can actually prevent stretch marks from appearing or make them disappear via anything other than masking.

 

 

 

The contracting uterus

Experience of contractions during pregnancy and remote from labor differ quite widely among pregnant women. They will also differ from one pregnancy to another for the same woman.

 

Painless contractions, to which the pregnant woman remains oblivious, commence as early as fourteen weeks of gestation. They will continue off and on for the reminder of the pregnancy.

 

At about thirty weeks, the woman may start being aware of these tightenings but they are almost always painless at this stage. They are then known as Braxton-Hicks.

 

The placenta and the fetus produce a variety of hormones which act to promote these contractions. There are however other hormones - including the ubiquitous progesterone - which oppose this effect, maintaining a balance which may help prevent inadvertent pre-term labor.

Continues next page (Weight gain)

 

 

Stretch marks do affect different women to varying degrees. Some aren’t affected at all. In some cases they become pigmented