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Daily Record
Daily Record
Lifestyle
Mya Bollan

Pregnant woman left confused by weird side effect leaving skin 'like dough'

Pregnancy can result in a seemingly endless list of side effects, but some are more unexpected than others.

During the long nine months many women experience things from back pain to morning sickness.

However, one expecting mother has shared a bizarre side effect that has left her and her husband completely baffled - reports The Mirror.

In the video posted online, mum-to-be Carla showed off a strange issued she is experiencing with her skin, explaining it has become so squishy it now resembles 'uncooked dough'.

Filimg a TikTok to capture the ususual conditoin, Carla got her husband to push his finger into the skin on her leg before removing it to find a dent remaining in place.

(carlaincarolina / TikTok)
(carlaincarolina / TikTok)

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]."

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.

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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