Pregnancy is a nine month long process that is extremely physically stressful on a woman's body. Several changes occur over the course of the pregnancy. These alterations include changes in her physical condition, hormone levels, and energy levels as well as changes in the performance of her digestive system.

Pregnancy

During pregnancy a mixture of hormones affects the functioning of the body. These hormones are necessary for the various functions that a mother's body needs to perform in order to take care of her growing child. These hormones cause several side effects which can present themselves in the form of morning sickness, weight gain, mood swings, irritability and a host of other side effects.

Once a woman is pregnant, her body begins to produce more bodily fluids which are used in order to feed the growing needs of the baby. The body fluids are also used to soften the pelvic area and allow it to expand as the baby grows. Fluid also builds up around the baby as the baby grows and this fluid is known as the amniotic fluid. As the level of body fluids rises, the body also begins to retain some of these fluids. This is typically presented in the form of swollen feet, swollen ankles and, in some cases, swollen arms. Swelling of this type is usually associated with long hours of standing or with lack of movement while pregnant. It is always good to be active during your pregnancy.

Swelling that occurs in places other than the hands and legs may be a cause for concern. The natural swelling of the stomach and breasts is, of course, normal. However, if the swelling of any part of the body is rapid or the swelling affects the face, then there is a medical problem that needs to be dealt with immediately. Preeclampsia is a condition that might cause sudden weight gain or swelling. This is caused by extremely high blood pressure and is also a problem that can seriously affect your child's health. Other issues that might cause swelling include heart and lung related problems. These are usually accompanied by other symptoms like shortness of breath and fatigue.

It is important to note that weight gain and puffiness in the face is normal during pregnancy and it is only when the onset is rapid that one should consider it as a symptom of some underlying condition. You can consult your doctor to get an idea about what the normal rate of weight gain should be.