POSITIVE CHANGES

Pregnancy is full of pleasant surprises. Here’s a list of six positive changes you can look forward to

1 YOUR IQ IS ON THE UP Although many pregnant women will identify with the term porridge brain (when you seem to forget everything all the time), studies show that in actual fact you become smarter during pregnancy. Brain expert Don Joseph Goewey points to a study that found pregnant mammals to have an increase in mental sharpness and memory and could retain more information over a longer period of time. Oestrogen, progesterone and oxytocin help strengthen the part of your brain that’s responsible for memories. If you’re experiencing a bit of porridge brain, don’t worry too much. It’s probably a result of nerves and sleeplessness. Try doing a crossword or Sudoku puzzle to keep all your cylinders firing. 2 HAIR AND NAIL MODEL During your non-pregnant days, your hair goes through the same cycle... growth, rest and falling out. When you’re pregnant, oestrogen prolongs the growth phase and reduces the amount of strands that fall out, leaving hair thicker. And all of those pregnancy vitamins you’re taking? They’re jampacked with enough calcium to leave your nails strong and shiny. 3 BREAST IS BEST There’s no denying that during pregnancy your boobs are going to get bigger, fuller and rounder. You can ditch the underwire bras, because not only will they be uncomfortable now, but you really won’t need them. All you need is a good maternity bra, and you can embrace your newfound curves. Studies have also shown signs that your risk of getting breast cancer after being pregnant is reduced. To lower it even further, research has shown that breastfeeding reduces your chance of getting breast cancer by 4.3 percent in general, and by 32 percent for those predisposed to the disease. 4 YOU FOCUS ON YOU There’s no stronger motivation to be healthy than when you’re pregnant. All of a sudden, your bad habits won’t just affect you – but they’ll affect your unborn baby too. If you had unhealthy habits, like smoking, drinking and unhealthy eating, pregnancy is the perfect time to correct your lifestyle. Your body will also give you signs as to when it needs rest, and being pregnant will probably lead you to listen to your body more than you ever did before. If you haven’t given up those bad habits yet – do it now. It’s never too late. 5 YOUR SEX IS ON FIRE Literally. During your second trimester you will feel it more. By this stage, your morning sickness should have faded away, and the swollen ankles and sore back probably haven’t come yet. You have more energy and a glow about you. The increased blood supply during pregnancy makes your genitals more sensitive and ups your vaginal lubrication. Unless your doctor has given you orders not to have sex, enjoy your inner sex-goddess before your newborn arrives. 6 BLUE MONDAY OR FAB FRIDAY Pregnancy moods are a widely spoken-about phenomenon (especially from our male counterparts). And while the flood of hormones can most definitely make you overly emotional and moody, those same hormones also work to put a smile on your face. Progesterone relaxes your muscles and therefore your body, and oestrogen can put you in a good mood just by being there. YP