As an expectant mother, your body will undergo changes, which is natural. If you were hoping for that healthy pregnancy glow, you may be disappointed to discover that you are plagued by dry skin and lips. Your pregnancy brings in all sorts of things starting with your body—some of which you may have expected and some will be totally new. For instance, you may have expected morning sickness, intense cravings and a growing belly. You may even have anticipated mood swings, swollen feet and changing breasts. But dry skin and lips are some of pregnancy’s less expected side effects and may have caught you totally off-guard. Those cracked, parched lips or itchy, dry skin may appear as early as the first trimester and for some women, may last throughout the pregnancy.
To meet the needs of your developing baby, extra body fluids and blood are produced during this period... As the skin stretches, the skin barrier may get compromised, letting more moisture to escape. At times, the peak [blood] volume can exceed up to 50 per cent higher than that of non-pregnant women. The rise in blood sugar level may cause kidneys to overwork too, resulting in frequent urination and dehydration, which may lead to dry lips and skin. It may sound contradictory, but water retention can also cause dry skin. During pregnancy, high levels of vasopressin hormone may cause your body to retain water, leading to swelling and bloating. Too much swelling can stretch the skin, making it dry and cracked. This is known as edema, which occurs during the third trimester, and women often get itchy red spots with it.
