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Nipple Changes
29iStock.com/EXTREME-PHOTOGRAPHERWhoa! A pregnant woman's nipples might get bigger and darker. It's probably due to hormones -- and some people believe it's to make them easier for a newborn to spot for those first breastfeeding sessions.
More from CafeMom: 15 Breathtaking Images of Childbirth in All Its Raw, Beautiful Glory
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Pregnancy Brain
30iStock.com/PeopleImagesOver the years, different studies have "disproven" and "proven" the belief that women become more forgetful during pregnancy. But whether or not science says it's true, it's certainly normal to feel more absentminded. From planning for maternity leave, to setting up a nursery, to learning what life will be like with a newborn, expectant mothers certainly have a lot on their minds, making it understandable that they might lose their keys or forget to make a call or two.
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Vision Changes
31iStock.com/fizkesBlurry vision? Fluid changes in the cornea can affect a mom-to-be's eyesight, in which case her vision will go back to normal after her baby is born. It's important a pregnant woman's doctor knows about any vision changes, since some pregnancy complications can affect eyesight as well.
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Leaking Breasts
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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
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Bigger Feet
34iStock.com/WavebreakmediaSorry, but bigger feet might not be just due to pregnancy swelling. Around 60 to 70 percent of women's feet grow permanently during pregnancy, according to one study. Use it as an excuse to buy some cute new shoes.
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Headaches
35iStock.com/ferlistockphotoA headache during pregnancy could be a sign of hunger, stress, dehydration, fatigue, or caffeine withdrawal. Check with the doctor before taking anything -- rest, food, and water might be all that's needed to feel better -- but many consider acetaminophen (Tylenol) safe for pregnant women.
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Lightheadedness
36iStock.com/franckreporterPregnant women can feel faint -- or can actually faint -- for a variety of reasons. These include low blood sugar, anemia, and the pressure her growing uterus puts on her blood vessels. Lightheadedness is considered normal if it's not accompanied by abdominal pain, bleeding, blurred vision, headaches, or other strange symptoms.
More from CafeMom: 7 Amazing Things Babies Do in the Womb
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Linea Nigra
37iStock.com/ngothyeaunHormones are probably the cause of the dark line that runs vertically down the middle of many pregnant women's bellies. The linea nigra is Latin for "black line" -- it may start out a shade or two darker than the woman's skin tone and then get gradually darker as pregnancy progresses. It will eventually fade after delivery.
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Stretch Marks
38iStock.com/BanarTABSStretch marks are tiny tears under the skin, caused by all that fast stretching happening as a pregnant woman's belly expands. It may be genetics that decide whether a woman gets stretch marks -- but most do! The bad news is they never really go away completely, but they fade quite a bit after pregnancy.
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Skin Discoloration
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Weight Gain
40iStock.com/PeopleImagesObviously, pregnant women should gain weight! A woman's doctor will advise her on the ideal amount of weight for her to gain -- it may be somewhere between 11 and 40 total pounds, depending on her BMI (body mass index) -- and will keep tabs throughout the pregnancy. Gaining weight at a healthy rate helps mom and baby stay healthy, and abnormal weight gain could be a sign of a pregnancy complication.
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Heartburn
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Braxton-Hicks Contractions
42iStock.com/kjekolCall it a warm-up for the big game. Braxton-Hicks contractions aren't the same as labor contractions. They're tightening of the uterus that's irregular and infrequent; they can be so subtle a woman might not even notice she's having them. Drinking lots of water, getting enough rest, and changing positions can help prevent or relieve uncomfortable Braxton-Hicks.
More from CafeMom: 16 Kids Who Look Just Like Their Famous Moms Did When They Were Young
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PUPPP
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Spider Veins
44iStock.com/dimid_86Spider veins -- visible red blood vessels -- may appear because of hormonal changes and the high amount of blood pumping through a woman's body during pregnancy. Little blood traffic jams, spider veins are considered harmless, though sometimes they're uncomfortable. Getting enough exercise and putting up her feet to promote circulation may help get traffic moving again.
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Varicose Veins
45iStock.com/zlikovecNot to be confused with spider veins, varicose veins are swollen, sore, and blue. They happen on the lower half of a pregnant woman's body -- usually legs and sometimes vulva, vagina, and rectum (as in hemorrhoids, sorry) -- because of all the pressure the uterus puts on the veins down there.
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Nail Changes
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Swollen Ankles
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Excess Gas
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Snoring
49iStock.com/doble-dIn the third trimester, the trifecta of weight gain, swelling, and nasal congestion can cause a woman to begin snoring in her sleep. It's probably just a pregnancy thing that will go away after delivery, but snoring could cause a few other problems, so it's important anyone sawing logs notifies the doctor.
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Hip Pain
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