Coagulopathy Disorders: Definitions, Symptoms, Treatment
Your Guide To A Pregnancy-Safe Skin Care Routine
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Some people may experience dry skin or acne during pregnancy, but you may wonder how to treat these skin conditions safely. Here's a list of skin care ingredients to use and avoid while pregnant.
As soon as you find out you're expecting, your whole world changes. And that might include your skin care lineup too.
While it's more well known that you must shelve your favorite wine (sorry!), having to nix your trusted skin care products may come as a real shock. But all eyes are on your skin products for a good reason: Certain ingredients can be absorbed into your body, and therefore, your baby's body too.
Rest assured that most over-the-counter (OTC) body care products are completely safe, but there are a few ingredients that could be harmful to your little one. So here's the good news: You can find a balance between maintaining your glow and protecting your baby.
Whether you're looking for a safe product to reverse an unwelcome skin change brought on by pregnancy (yes, unfortunately, they do happen) or you're checking up on the safety of your current regimen, this breakdown of what a healthy pregnancy skin care routine looks like — as well as what specific ingredients to avoid — is for you.
First, let's face it: Pregnancy-related skin changes happen to many people. Hormones can take the blame, along with changes to your cardiovascular system and immune function during pregnancy.
While some lucky people experience 9 months of pure complexion perfection, others experience at least one less favorable new or worsening skin issue at some point. The most common are:
People with pre-existing skin conditions, such as eczema, psoriasis, or rosacea, may also experience a change in their symptoms (for better or worse).
And because your body is "all in" when it comes to pregnancy, pesky skin changes can affect other places too — think stretch marks, spider veins, hair growth, and even hair loss.
Before we jump into our list, we must point out that evidence-based data on the safety of specific products in pregnancy is limited. In almost all cases, clinical trials on pregnant people that could even start to prove that certain ingredients are harmful are an ethical no-no.
But some animal, anecdotal, or case-specific studies have shown some serious fetal effects related to a few common skin care ingredients. That's the basis for our recommendations.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires cosmetic products to be "safe" based on their specific uses and labeling, but they don't need FDA approval to be sold on the market.
All of that brings big questions about what cosmetics are truly safe during pregnancy. On this basis, most experts (and therefore, we) err on the side of caution.
RetinoidsVitamin A is a crucial nutrient that's required for optimal skin, immune, reproductive, and eye health. Once consumed or absorbed through skin, your body converts it to retinol.
Some pro-aging skin care products use a type of retinol called retinoids, which have become a holy grail because they can help reverse acne and reduce fine lines. Retinoids do this by helping surface-level skin cells exfoliate faster and boosting collagen production to rejuvenate skin.
OTC products have lower levels of retinoids, while prescription medications — such as Retin-A (tretinoin) and Accutane (isotretinoin) — contain much higher doses.
The amount of retinoids absorbed by topical products is likely low, but birth irregularities have been linked in higher doses. As such, all retinoids are advised against during pregnancy.
Prescription retinoids like isotretinoin have been widely documented for posing a 20% to 35% risk of severe congenital irregularities, with about to 30% to 60% of children showing neurocognitive conditions with exposure in utero.
Because of this, it's recommended that people who can become pregnant take the following precautions while using isotretinoin:
Your doctor will discuss the iPLEDGE program with you before prescribing isotretinoin. This is a federal monitoring program intended to reduce the chance of pregnancy in people taking isotretinoin.
High dose salicylic acidSalicylic acid is a common ingredient to treat acne due to its anti-inflammatory capabilities, similar to that of an aspirin. But a 2013 study concluded that products that deliver a high dose of salicylic acid, such as peels and oral medications, should be avoided during pregnancy.
That said, lower dose topical OTC products that contain salicylic acid have been reported safe by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).
HydroquinoneHydroquinone is a prescription product to lighten skin or reduce skin pigmentation that occurs from melasma and chloasma, which can be brought on by pregnancy.
There's no proven link between severe congenital defects or side effects and hydroquinone. But because the body can absorb a significant amount of hydroquinone compared with other ingredients (35% to 45%), it's best to limit exposure (if any at all) during pregnancy.
PhthalatesPhthalates are endocrine-disrupting chemicals found in many beauty and personal products. In animal and human studies, serious reproductive and developmental dysfunction has been linked to phthalate exposure.
Endocrine disruptors are becoming increasingly studied by the FDA and professional medical organizations, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, for their potential role in negatively affecting congenital reproductive health.
Cosmetics are a top source of phthalate exposure. The most common phthalate you'll find in beauty products is diethylphthalate (DEP). Phthalates commonly found in plastic packaging can also leach into personal care products.
FormaldehydeFormaldehyde is rarely used as a preservative and disinfectant in beauty products anymore because it's a known carcinogen, and, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), can increase the risk of infertility and miscarriage.
But there are formaldehyde-releasing chemicals commonly found in cosmetics with a similar potentially dangerous effect. These include the following, as noted by the Environmental Working Group (EWG):
Oxybenzone and its derivatives are the most frequently used ultraviolet (UV) filter in sunscreens. It's proven effective for skin protection, but the potentially adverse health and environmental effects of oxybenzone are bringing it into a more unfavorable light.
A 2019 review suggested that certain chemical UV filters may have negative effects for water sources, fish health, and food chains worldwide. These include:
Because oxybenzone is a known endocrine-disrupting chemical, the concern for use in pregnancy is that it could disrupt hormones and cause permanent damage to both you and your baby.
A 2018 study in animals concluded that oxybenzone exposure during pregnancy at levels humans would commonly use made permanent changes to mammary glands and lactation.
Other animal studies have linked the chemical to permanent fetal damage, possibly associated with developing neurological conditions in adulthood, such as schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease.
Oxybenzone exposure has also been associated with Hirschsprung disease, a birth irregularity affecting the large intestines.
Here are a few alternatives to safely manage pregnancy's most common (and frustrating) skin woes.
Acne and hyperpigmentationIf you're prone to breakouts — or find yourself suddenly traveling back in time with adolescent-like skin flashbacks — there are some safer alternatives to using retinoid-based products while expecting. One of the most effective is glycolic acid.
Glycolic acid in large quantities isn't recommended during pregnancy, but it's likely safe in small amounts commonly found in OTC beauty products.
Glycolic acid and similar ones — such as azelaic acid — can also help with reducing fine lines, brightening skin, and reducing enhanced skin pigmentation.
The ACOG endorses glycolic and azelaic acid as safe to treat acne during pregnancy, in addition to topical benzoyl peroxide and topical salicylic acid.
Mature-looking skin and wrinklesJust as they work like magic to boost your immune system and ward off free radicals in your body, topical antioxidants, such as vitamin C, can safely enhance your skin's vitality by protecting your skin from damage and maintaining collagen.
Other topical antioxidants to try in your skin care products include:
Note that oral resveratrol supplements should not be taken during pregnancy. It's best to talk with your doctor before trying any supplements, especially if you're pregnant or planning a pregnancy.
Dry skin and stretch marksThere's no doubt that pregnancy requires a lot from your body, so if your baby-to-be needs more water at any point, they'll pull it from your body. That — in addition to hormone changes — can lead to dry skin.
In addition to drinking plenty of water, moisturizing products that have coconut oil, cocoa butter, peptides, and hyaluronic acid (HA) can improve hydration. And when it comes to stretch marks, one strategy to prevent them is frequently moisturizing prone zones to help the skin stretch naturally as your bump (and baby) grow.
Sun protectionSun protection is one of the most important things you can do for long-term wrinkle and skin cancer protection. But how you safely protect your skin during pregnancy is the big question.
The verdict on the safety of certain chemical sunscreens like oxybenzone is still out, so try mineral-based sunscreens that protect the skin by forcing the UV rays to bounce off of the skin entirely.
Mineral-based sunscreen ingredients include zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. And don't forget that wide-brimmed hat to add some fashionable shade.
Learn more about our top picks for the best pregnancy-safe sunscreens.
In the overwhelming sea of beauty products on the market, there are a few brands dedicated to pregnancy-safe skin care and body products.
Here are five to check out:
First, discuss the safety of your skin care products with your dermatologist and OB-GYN, especially if you're taking prescription medications or are concerned about a pre-existing skin condition.
Next, you can scan your products' list of ingredients for any we've reviewed, or others that may be concerning to you. A very credible resource for learning more about skin care and personal product ingredient safety is the EWG.
Because personal care products aren't heavily regulated, the EWG developed a database of over 87,000 personal care products, delivering a safety rating for each. The safety rating is generated by referencing each product's ingredients with over 60 toxicity and regulatory databases.
You can reference the EWG's Skin Deep® database online or get the app (available for iPhone or Android). In the app, you can quickly scan a product's bar code to get its safety rating.
We know we just downloaded a lot of information — and sifting through products and ingredient lists might sound overwhelming — so here's a general morning and night skin care routine to get you started on your quest for the best sheen.
For stretch mark prevention, apply moisturizer on your belly, hips, and thighs.
There are many balms, creams, and oils available that aim to moisturize skin and prevent scarring. Bio-Oil is one popular option. You can shop for cleanser products online:
It's not easy to give up your beloved skin care regimen, but we know you'll do anything to protect your little one.
This includes avoiding products that could be harmful to you or your baby during pregnancy. Evidence suggests that prescription retinoid-containing products are the most likely candidate to lead to severe congenital irregularities.
On the bright side (literally), you can use our list of pregnancy-safe skin care products to shine with confidence knowing you're making healthier choices for your baby-to-be. And talk with your OB-GYN or dermatologist for guidance on your specific pregnancy skin care concerns and goals.
15 Early Signs And Symptoms Of Pregnancy
While pregnancy tests and ultrasounds are the only way to know if you're pregnant, you can look for other signs and symptoms like morning sickness, fatigue, and more.
Though it may sound odd, your first week of pregnancy is based on the date of your last menstrual period. Your last menstrual period is considered week 1 of pregnancy, even if you weren't pregnant yet.
The expected delivery date is calculated using the first day of your last period. For that reason, you may not have symptoms during the first few weeks of your 40-week pregnancy.
If you're pregnant, you may notice common early indicators. These can include:
Other signs may include:
About 10 to 14 days (week 4) after conception, you may experience implantation bleeding, which may be mistaken for a light period. It does not occur for everyone. If it does occur, it will usually happen around the time you expect your period.
Signs of implantation bleeding include:
If you think you may be experiencing implantation bleeding:
After implantation, your body starts making the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which helps maintain the pregnancy. It also tells the ovaries to stop releasing mature eggs each month.
You will likely miss your next period 4 weeks after conception. If you typically have an irregular period, you'll want to take a pregnancy test to confirm.
Most home tests can detect hCG as soon as 7 days after a missed period. A pregnancy test detects hCG levels in your urine and shows if you are pregnant.
When you're pregnant, you may have a higher basal body temperature. Your core temperature may increase more easily with exercise or in hot weather. During this time, make sure to drink more water and exercise cautiously.
Fatigue can develop anytime during pregnancy. This symptom is common in early pregnancy. Rising progesterone levels can make you feel sleepy.
Around weeks 8 to 10, your heart may begin pumping faster and harder. Palpitations and arrhythmias are common in pregnancy. This is usually due to hormones.
Your blood flow can increase by around 50% during pregnancy. This adds to your heart's workload.
It's best to discuss any underlying heart conditions or medications you take with your medical team.
Breast changes can occur between weeks 4 and 6. You're likely to develop tender and swollen breasts due to hormone changes. This will likely go away after a few weeks when your body has adjusted to the hormones.
Nipple and breast changes can also occur around week 11. Hormones continue to cause your breasts to grow. The areola — the area around the nipple — may grow darker and larger.
During pregnancy, your body increases the amount of blood it pumps. This causes the kidneys to process more fluid than usual, leading to more fluid in your bladder.
Hormones also play a large role in bladder health. During pregnancy, you may run to the bathroom more frequently or accidentally leak.
Bloating may occur during early pregnancy due to hormone changes, which can also slow down your digestive system. You could feel constipated and blocked as a result.
Constipation can also increase feelings of abdominal bloating.
Nausea and morning sickness usually develop around weeks 4 to 6 and peak around week 9.
Although it's called morning sickness, it can occur anytime during the day or night. It's unclear exactly what causes nausea and morning sickness, but hormones may play a role.
Many people experience mild to severe morning sickness during the first trimester of pregnancy. It may become more intense toward the end of the first trimester but often becomes less severe as you enter the second trimester.
In most cases, blood pressure will drop in the early stages of pregnancy. This may also cause feelings of dizziness since your blood vessels are dilated.
High blood pressure (hypertension) due to pregnancy is more difficult to determine. Almost all cases of hypertension within the first 20 weeks indicate underlying problems. It may develop during early pregnancy but may also be present beforehand.
A medical professional will likely take your blood pressure during your first doctor visit to help establish a baseline blood pressure reading.
Smell sensitivity is a symptom of early pregnancy that's mostly self-reported. There's little scientific evidence about smell sensitivity during the first trimester. However, it might be important since smell sensitivity may trigger nausea and vomiting. It may also cause a strong distaste for certain foods.
You may experience either a heightened or lessened sense of smell during pregnancy, according to 2017 research. This is especially common during the first and third trimesters. Heightened smell is more common than lessened smell. Some smells that never bothered you before may become less pleasing or even trigger nausea.
The good news is that your sense of smell usually returns to how it was before, after delivery, or within 6 to 12 weeks postpartum.
Weight gain can become more common at the end of your first trimester. You may gain about 1 to 5 pounds in the first few months.
Calorie recommendations for early pregnancy won't change much from your usual diet but can increase as pregnancy progresses.
Hormones can cause the valve between your stomach and esophagus to relax. This allows stomach acid to leak, causing heartburn.
Many people may begin saying you have the "pregnancy glow." Increased blood volume and higher hormone levels push more blood through your vessels. This causes the body's oil glands to work overtime.
The increased activity of your body's oil glands gives your skin a flushed, glossy appearance. On the other hand, you may also develop acne.
Using an at-home pregnancy test, you can generally know if you're pregnant 1 week after you've missed a period.
While you can take a test earlier than this if you want, you risk getting a false negative result. If you take the test too early, there may not be enough hCG in your urine yet for the test to detect it.
Also, every person's body is a bit different. One person may get a positive result as early as a day after their period, while another person's positive results may not show up for another week.
Blood tests can often detect hCG earlier in a pregnancy than urine tests. Blood tests can give a positive result as early as 6 to 8 days after ovulation, while urine tests do so about 3 weeks after ovulation.
A medical professional usually does blood tests.
Pregnancy symptoms like nausea, fatigue, and breast tenderness sometimes occur even before you miss a period. These symptoms may give you the idea that you're pregnant, but only a test will tell for sure.
If you think you might be pregnant, the best time to take a home pregnancy test is 1 week after you first miss a period.
A blood test can often reveal a pregnancy much earlier, but it must be done at a doctor's office or clinical setting.
Your body will go through significant changes in early pregnancy. You may see signs such as nausea, breast tenderness, and the hallmark symptom of a missed period.
Many body changes and symptoms of pregnancy you experience in the first trimester will start to fade once you reach the second trimester.
If you think you might be pregnant, a good first step is to take a home pregnancy test. Tests are widely available without a prescription in pharmacies and other stores.
If you receive a positive result, call a doctor for an appointment. They will perform an examination and a further test to confirm your pregnancy. You can then get started on a prenatal program to safeguard your and the fetus's health.
To receive week-by-week guidance about early pregnancy symptoms and more, sign up for our I'm Expecting newsletter.
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Aches And Pains In Early Pregnancy
Aches and pains in early pregnancy and what these pregnancy signs meanDiscomforts in early pregnancy are common and can really put a damper on your first trimester. The good news is your body's working really hard in these 12 weeks and things will get easier. In the meantime, keep an eye out for our guides to alleviating pregnancy symptoms:
Morning sicknessMorning sickness affects around 70% of women. Serious morning sickness can be debilitating and is known as Hyperemesis Gravida. It's rare but needs medical treatment so if you suspect you have something more than your average morning sickness, see your doctor.
Sore breasts & nipplesThanks to pregnancy hormones your breasts begin growing from very early in pregnancy. This can make them tender. At first your breasts may simply feel sore or heavy, or they may tingle but later you may find that the skin, and especially your nipples, become more sensitive than usual and normal underwear may irritate it. If so, you will find moving to natural fabrics, such as cotton, will help (as manmade fabrics are more likely to cause irritation). Because of this sensitivity, you may notice your nipples hurting in the cold and taking longer to warm up.
Period-like crampingMild stomach cramps in early pregnancy are very common. Usually milder than period cramps, it may feel as though there is a slight tugging or pulling in your abdomen. Cramping is caused by your uterus beginning to stretch and is usually nothing at all to worry about. If your stomach cramps are different to those described here, check what your symptoms mean. Read more on pregnancy bleeding, spotting and pregnancy stomach cramps.
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Indigestion, wind and bloatingWind for pregnant women is no joke. From the earliest days of pregnancy your digestive system is affected and you may notice you produce far more wind than usual, which can be uncomfortable and painful at times, particularly if the wind is trapped. Many pregnant women find that their sleep disturbed by uncomfortable wind. There are some small lifestyle changes that can make a difference, though. And keep an eye on what you eat.
Constipation and pilesAnother common affect of pregnancy on your digestive system is constipation. Constipation can also cause or aggravate haemorrhoids, or piles- abnormally swollen veins in your anus - another frequent pregnancy nuisance.
You can do a lot to deal with constipation using your diet. You can find out more about pregnancy constipation and more about coping with haemorrhoids through our pregnancy articles.
DiarrhoeaHormonal changes may have the opposite effect on your bowels, as they, along with pressure put on the bowels from the womb, lead to diarrhoea. Diarrhoea can also be caused by an infection, so if it's making you feel very unwell, or it persists for a few days it's a good idea to see your doctor. Find out more about the particularly nasty stomach bug that pregnant women are particularly prone to.
Blocked nose and earsAnother effect of pregnancy hormones is swelling in your nasal and oral passages, which leads to them becoming blocked more easily. Steam inhalation is one of the best solutions, and you can help prevent the problem by keeping the air of your home moist, by drying laundry indoors, keeping bowls of water on the radiators and so on. If you're suffering badly and want to take medication speak to your GP, but you can get nasal sprays and decongestants that are safe to take during pregnancy.
BackacheVery common by the third trimester, backache can also affect your first three months of pregnancy, particularly if this isn't your first baby. In the first couple of weeks of pregnancy you may experience an aching back, similar to that which frequently accompanies menstruation. After this the weight of your growing uterus can put pressure on your lower back, causing backache. If this is your second baby you are more likely to get backache in your first trimester because your abdominal muscles - already weakened in your last pregnancy - are likely to be more flexible this time around. Your abdominals usually offer key support to many movements and when they can't work as hard it means extra work for your lower back.
If you usually calm backache with a relaxing bath then make sure that you don't run one that's too hot, your skin shouldn't tun red when you get in.
HeadachesMany women aren't affected by pregnancy headaches at all, but some women do suffer from more frequent headaches and some may even experience migraines for the first time when pregnant. Headaches relating to pregnancy happen because during pregnancy the volume of blood pumped around your body increases significantly, and this extra blood can put pressure on the brain.
If you are suffering from migraines be sure to check with your doctor which medications are safe to take. If you have a simple headache you may be able to cope without medication and/ or sleep it off. If you feel you do need to take something, the occasional paracetamol is considered safe throughout pregnancy, however, if you can avoid taking medication then all the better, particularly in the first trimester.
General aches and painsGeneral aches and pains are quite common during early pregnancy, not least because early pregnancy is so physically draining and many women feel completely exhausted and may be having trouble sleeping.
Aching limbsWhatever aches and pains you experience as early pregnancy signs, remember you're better off avoiding medication in these critical first twelve weeks if you can. There are alternative suggestions for dealing with common discomforts, but you are often best consulting your doctor about your particular circumstances.
Read more on early pregnancy on our pregnancy listings.Read more about pregnancy symptoms: Vision changes in pregnancy.
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