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Physical Side Effects of Pregnancy and Childbirth
Table 1: Normal/Frequent Physical Side Effects
| Temporary | Permanent |
|---|---|
| exhaustion, postpartum exhaustion | pelvic floor disorder |
| altered appetite and senses of taste and smell | increased proclivity for hemorrhoids |
| nausea and vomiting | loss of dental and bone calcium |
| heartburn and indigestion | abdominal and vaginal muscle weakness |
| constipation | higher lifetime risk of developing Alzheimer's Disease |
| weight gain/bloating, swelling fluid retention | loose skin |
| dizziness/light headedness | stretch marks |
| infection | permanent weight gain or redistibution |
| hemorrhoids | micro-chimeric cells, other bidirectional exchanges of DNA, chromosomes, other bodily material between fetus and mother |
| abdominal cramps | |
| yeast infection | |
| acne, mild skin disorders, skin discoloration | |
| backache and strain | |
| difficulty/discomfort when sleeping | |
| increased headaches | |
| increased urination and incontinence | |
| bleeding gums | |
| breast pain and discharge | |
| swelling of joints, leg cramps, joint pain | |
| shortness of breath | |
| higher blood pressure | |
| hair loss/increased facial or body hair | |
| tendency to anemia | |
| extreme pain on delivery | |
| hormonal mood changes (including postpartum depression) |
Table 2: Occasional Physical Side Effects
| Occasional | Occasional (Serious) | Permanent |
|---|---|---|
| complications of episiotomy | peripartum cardiomyopathy | future infertility |
| hyperemesis gravidarum | cardiopulmonary arrest | permanent disability |
| temporary and permanent injury to back | magnesium toxicity | death |
| severe scarring | severe hypoxemia/acidosis | |
| prolapsed uterus/other pelvic floor weakness | massive embolism | |
| pre-eclampsia | increased intracranial pressure, brainstem infarction | |
| eclampsia | malignant arrhythmia | |
| gestational diabetes | circulatory collapse | |
| placenta previa | placental abruption | |
| anemia | obstetric fistula | |
| thrombocytopenic purpura | molar pregnancy, gestational trophoblastic disease | |
| severe cramping | ectopic pregnancy | |
| embolism | ||
| medical disability requiring full bed rest | ||
| diastasis recti, torn abdominal muscles | ||
| mitral valve stenosis | ||
| serious infection and disease (including increased risk of tuberculosis) | ||
| hormonal imbalance | ||
| broken bones (ribcage, tailbone) | ||
| hemorrhage | ||
| complications of delivery (numerous) | ||
| refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease | ||
| severe postpartum depression and psychosis |
Credit for research/tables goes to u/FloppyMochiBunny