If you’re pregnant right now you’d probably say it’s just perspiration, but there’s some seriously cool physiological changes behind that pregnancy ‘glow’.
The famous ethereal real-life Instagram filter that descends on mums-to-be is caused by a combination of surging hormones and increased blood flow – and while you may not be feeling like supermodel just yet, the good news is that it’s a major youth elixir.
Those extra hormones cause your skin to produce more oil, making it appear more shiny (and therefore younger). Meanwhile, as the volume of blood in your body slowly increases by up to 50 percent, your face can begin to look rounder – another youth dupe that can take years off you.
And then there’s the lips; if you’ve always admired Angelina Jolie’s plump pout, your luck could be in during pregnancy.
The increased blood flow might be making your ankles swell up and your chin look a little cherubic, but it will also give your lips a boost as the body retains fluid in the tissues.
The pregnancy perk is so common that even Beyonce had to deny having injections to make her lips bigger before she gave birth to twins Rumi and Sir earlier this year.
Most of these pregnancy side effects vanish once you give birth, but hey; they’re a fun baby bump benefit while you wait for your new arrival.
