The physiological changes in pregnancy and their distribution according to trimester

Abstract

Aim: In the present study we aimed to investigate specific skin changes of pregnancy with respect to the trimesters. Materials and Methods: Pregnant women either outpatients or inpatients applied to obstetrics and gynecology department, internal medicine department and family medicine department were involved in this study. Results: 400 pregnant women either outpatients or inpatients were involved in this study. 21 pregnant were excluded from the study cause they did not come regularly to follow-ups. Out of 400 pregnant women, 116 (29%) patients were nullipara and 284 (71%) patients were multipara. Patients ages were between 17-49 years and mean age was 25. The most observed physiological skin changes in order were hyperpigmentation in 311 patients (71%), hypertrichosis in 124 patients (31%), hypothricosis in 15 patients (3.7%), hirsutism in 21 patients (5,2%), hair thickening in 76 patients (19%), hair loss in 92 patients (23%), nail lesions in 18 patients (4,5%), stria distensae in 166 patients (41%), palmar erythema in 127 patients (31%), spider angioma in 52 patients (13%), edema in 132 patients (33%), purpura in 3 patients (0.8%),varices in 50 patients (12,5%), hemorrhoid in 60 patients (15%), gingival hyperemia in 90 patients (22,5%), gingivitis in 50 patients (12,5%). Hyperpigmentation were present in 80% of third trimester and 70% of second trimester pregnant and there was a significant difference (p<0, 05). Hair changes (hypertrichosis, hypotrichosis, hirsutism, hair loss and thickening ) were present in 60% of the second trimester women and %70 of the third trimester of women and the difference was significant (p<0,05). Only hair thickening was present in the 30% of the third trimester pregnant which was significantly different (p<0,05). Stria distensae was observed in 55% of the first trimester pregnant and in 45% of the third trimester pregnant which was significantly different (p<0, 05). Conclusion: As a result, many skin changes, physiologic or none, were detected during the pregnancy. We propose that these changes might be related to age, parity and gestational week of pregnant women.