19 replies to this topic

[*Rebecca*]

I know this is forf 21^ but I am 20 close enough, and I figured the other forums wouldn't help with this. When any of you moms were pregnant did you notice and increase in acne? It is so weird bc my face doesn't breakout much anymore just yea know the occassional whitehead or some blackheads but its my shoulders and back that breakout and I never really had acne before there anyone experience this or noticed chan ged in their skin during pregnancy? I figure it could be just my age and my skin reacting to the fluctuation in hormones but I could be wrong.

Also, did your skin become more oily? For the first 4 months of my pregnancy I felt like I was a young teenager again, I had to take 2 showers aday bc just by midday my hair and whole body felt oily.

[murfirhea]

I got tons oilier and the breakouts were my first clue to being pregnant. The progesterone hormone is responsible for that. It builds up during ovulation and drops before you start menstruation. In the case of pregnancy it does not drop in preparation of the developing fetus. Progesterone is the female version of testosterone. It is the hormone that raises your basal temps., and increases oil production in the sebaceous glands. That increase in oil and also the noted increase in circulation is what gives the pregnancy glow. If you are prone to acne ya skip the glow and go straight into zit city. Some people's skin gets better. Go figure... Most moms clear up after the first trimester. Some breakout the whole pregnancy. Every pregnancy is so different. Hope that helps at all.

[*Rebecca*]

Yes, it does, Thank you.

What happened after your pregnancy, how long did it take for hormones to finally go back to normal levels?

[murfirhea]

I unfortunately lost my baby, but had the joy of the increased breakouts. My second miscarriage in under a year. Bummer. I just lost the baby about a month ago and am just now starting to clear up. Once a person carries to full term it can take 3-6 months for hormones to level off completely. I think it is so long because it has something to do with the hormones associated with breastfeeding. Some other mommies on the board may be able to share their experiences better than me.

[*Rebecca*]

Is there anything doctors can do for someone who is proned to miscarriage? I know back in the 50's there was but unfortunately it resulted in their children have cervical cancer and problems with boys testicles. I hope you have a baby, and don't give up I am sure there is help available.

[murfirhea]

They have got me on one baby aspirin daily, and when I get pregnant again I will start taking a progesterone supplement to help stop any pregnancy loss. Since progesterone helps to build the endometrium I need to take it. They think either that is my problem, not enough progesterone to sustain, or a clotting issue. That's what the baby aspirin is for. It is supposed to help me get preggers too. I'm not sure how but hey I'll take all the help I can get. I can get preggers just can't make it past a certain point. I'm in the clear to try again now so we will start all over again. I do worry that the extra progesterone will make my acne worse, but it will be worth it. I'm just extra paranoid cause I'm an esthetician. Even I can't do anything with the hormones.

[Lucky Charms]

Other than being on Accutane, my pregnancies were the best times for my skin...perfectly clear both times. My children were born when I was 27 and 32. My acne started at 10 and now I am 36.

[lucky girl]

Sory to hear that you lost your babies. If they think they know why it is happening though, that is great because it is AMAZING what they can do when they actually know what is going on. A friend of mine has lost five babies and is now 8 months pregnant. She had all kinds of tests and they couldn't work out why she was losing her babies, so all she could do was keep trying and luckliy now she is almost full term. I know it must be heartbreaking for you.

In both my pregnancies, my skin broke out really badly initially and then in the 2nd trimester it improved but was never glowingly flawless!!!! After both pregnancies I needed to take antibiotics, (after I stopped breastfeeding) go on a contraceptive and eventually (last time) I went on Roaccutane!!! I don't think my hormones will ever settle down. My skin is relatively under control at the moment and I am taking Diane 35, I would like to have another baby but I am really scared of my skin becoming horrific again. Isn't that horrible that that even comes into it but it really plays havoc with my self esteem.

[murfirhea]

I know the feelin

[A-Shizzle]

I literally had the skin of a baby during my 2 pergnancies - it was lovely.
I didn;t notice extra oil or anything..except darker eye circles.

[angelsmomma]

I know this is forf 21^ but I am 20 close enough, and I figured the other forums wouldn't help with this. When any of you moms were pregnant did you notice and increase in acne? It is so weird bc my face doesn't breakout much anymore just yea know the occassional whitehead or some blackheads but its my shoulders and back that breakout and I never really had acne before there anyone experience this or noticed chan ged in their skin during pregnancy? I figure it could be just my age and my skin reacting to the fluctuation in hormones but I could be wrong.

Also, did your skin become more oily? For the first 4 months of my pregnancy I felt like I was a young teenager again, I had to take 2 showers aday bc just by midday my hair and whole body felt oily.

my acne stayed consistant all through my last pregnancy (july 05 - march 06) i felt it was worse in the last 2 mths...
my hair was more greasy and had no life in it...
pregnancy is the most awesome thing but i never wanna do it again "lol"
i was so ill and sick and ended up in hospital on a drip to get fluids in me... ahhhh wot a nitemare!!

[angelsmomma]

They have got me on one baby aspirin daily, and when I get pregnant again I will start taking a progesterone supplement to help stop any pregnancy loss. Since progesterone helps to build the endometrium I need to take it. They think either that is my problem, not enough progesterone to sustain, or a clotting issue. That's what the baby aspirin is for. It is supposed to help me get preggers too. I'm not sure how but hey I'll take all the help I can get. I can get preggers just can't make it past a certain point. I'm in the clear to try again now so we will start all over again. I do worry that the extra progesterone will make my acne worse, but it will be worth it. I'm just extra paranoid cause I'm an esthetician. Even I can't do anything with the hormones.

Im so sorry for your loss,
i know how it feels to lose a baby and although my situation was different to yours it still hurts!! i carried my baby to 21 wks and then it all went wrong!!
life sucks hey?
if you ever need to talk im here...

hugs
bella

[june bug]

My first pregnancy was when I was 25, and I had NO skin problems, absolutely flawless during pregnancy and after my little boy was born. I started the mini pill about 6 weeks postpartum and my skin stayed good until I went off of it. Even after that it never got really bad, but I used proactiv which kept things under control (but tended to fry my face). Fastforward to age 31, I was PG with my little girl, and I had minor breakouts / oily skin the first 5 - 6 months. During the last trimester I had flawless skin. After she was born, I elected to not go on the mini pill - BIG mistake. At almost exactly 4 months post partum I started breaking out like mad, totally out of control, like nothing I had ever experienced in my life. I think if I had been on the pill it would have kept my hormones under control and prevented this (I always learn the hard way). I just started the pill two weeks ago and already my skin seems to be improving (a combo of that and drinking spearmint tea twice a day). With my daughter I started my period at four months postpartum regardless of the fact that I was nursing her, and it still comes every month. I think this greatly contributed to my "hormone failure". Good luck with everything, even if your skin freaks out all you have to do is look at that beautiful baby you created to remind yourself that it was worth it, regardless.

[Lainey321]

I never even had acne until my first pregnancy. I used Glytone after that and it cleared up. After my second pregnancy my skin was a wreck and the glytone system didn't help so I am still searching for something to work

[june bug]

My skin was flawless, radiant, and beautifully clear and smooth my entire pregnancy! I became pregnant at 32 and gave birth at 33. My skin looked great the entire 18 months I nursed my son and afterwards, through his 3rd birthday. Then I started to get cystic acne on my jawline along with terribly heavy menstrual bleeding and cramps. After suffering for over a year, I just started taking Yasmin yesterday. I am hoping that will take care of the acne and menstrual problems. I suppose my other option is to get pregnant again! NO, we are done. Besides, I am almost 38, and in that "Advanced Maternal Age" category. I suppose my current problems could be due to perimenopause?!?

38 is nothing. My Grandma had 10 kids; her last one was born when she was 47. I guess she was fertile!!

[Brandy]

My skin was pretty manageable during my pregnancies.
But when I'm not pregnant, it's always a hassle to keep on top of it.

[*Rebecca*]

Thank you for all the replies

Should I go on the pill after my son is born? Will that help with hormones? I am just afraid too bc I will ofcourse be trying to lose my pregrancy weight and I hear how BC Pills make you gain weight. Also just afraid of loss of libido and blood clots, seems like alot of risk involved.

[murfirhea]

"Im so sorry for your loss,
i know how it feels to lose a baby and although my situation was different to yours it still hurts!! i carried my baby to 21 wks and then it all went wrong!!
life sucks hey?
if you ever need to talk im here...

hugs
bella
[/quote]"

Thank you so much. We got the green light to try again. I'm alot more relaxed this time now that I have the baby aspirin and the progesterone to help me.

[mikanna]

I am almost in my third trimester of pregnancy now, and I've had breakouts on my chin and jawline since I first found out I was pregnant. This wasn't a surprise because I have hormonal acne and always used to break out a week before my period.

I plan on breastfeeding for a year, so I don't plan on taking any acne meds for a while. I just hope my skin clears up after I have my baby girl!