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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Zahna Eklund

Mum-to-be perplexed as pregnancy side effect leaves skin squidgy 'like dough'

As anyone who has been through pregnancy will know, there is a seemingly endless list of side effects that you could face during the nine months it takes to carry a baby to term.

And while things like morning sickness and cravings are well-documented side effects, there are also many that most people are completely unaware of which can take mums-to-be by surprise.

One mum on TikTok facing a particularly bizarre pregnancy side-effect is Carla, who has discovered a strange issue with her skin - as she claims it has become so squishy it now resembles 'uncooked dough'.

In a video showing off her unusual condition, Carla got her husband to push his finger into the skin just above her ankle, and the man was left looking completely baffled when he removed his finger to find the dent he'd made in her skin had stayed in place.

The woman got her husband to press his finger into her leg (carlaincarolina / TikTok)
The dent he made stayed in place (carlaincarolina / TikTok)

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Carla, who posts under the username @carlaincarolina, captioned the video: "Being pregnant is fun."

The mum's video has been viewed more than 13 million times - and commenters can't get enough of her squidgy skin which many have said looks "like dough".

One person wrote: "I heard many things, but the body turning into clay [is new]."

As another commented: "Just like dough."

"She became memory foam", a third joked.

While Carla's side effects may look bizarre, it is actually a fairly common condition faced by pregnant women and is known as pitting oedema, which is a variation of swelling caused by oedema.

According to the NHS, oedema is a build-up of fluid in areas including the ankles, feet, and legs, and can often be seen in pregnant women as well as those who are overweight, have been standing or sitting in the same position for too long, or have eaten too much salty food.

Oedema can also be caused by some medications, an insect bite, a blood clot, or problems with your kidneys, liver or heart.

The NHS recommends those with oedema try to raise their legs on a chair or pillows and improve their blood flow with gentle exercise such as walking.

Many causes of oedema are not serious, but it's recommended that you see your GP if your swelling has not improved after treating it at home for a few days, or if the swelling gets worse.

When should you call 999?

If your swelling is paired with shortness of breath, a tight feeling in your chest, or if you're coughing up blood, you should call 999 immediately - as this could be a sign of a blood clot in your lungs, which needs immediate treatment in hospital.

The NHS recommends getting help from 111 if you have a high temperature, or if the swelling is hot to the touch or painful.

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