Is the Pregnancy Glow Real?

It’s one of those things you hear almost as soon as someone spots your baby bump. Whether it’s your neighbour, your coworker, or a stranger at the grocery store, someone inevitably says, “Wow, you’re glowing!”

And in that moment, you might chuckle to yourself. Glowing? You’ve just spent the morning with your head in the toilet, your pants no longer fit, and your latest craving involves pickles dipped in Nutella. Glowing might be the last word you’d use to describe how you feel, but hey, you’ll take the compliment.

The idea of the “pregnancy glow” is one of those long-standing beliefs that people love to bring up. For some women, it’s a real, visible thing; they do appear more radiant, like they’ve discovered the world’s best skincare routine. For others, it’s more of a myth. The first trimester might bring breakouts, dull skin, or even a greenish tint that has nothing to do with envy. And let’s be honest: nobody tells you about the less-than-glamorous side of early pregnancy when they’re marvelling at your “glow.”

So what’s going on? Is the pregnancy glow a sweet illusion, or is there actual science behind it?

Let’s dive into it.

The Truth Behind the Glow

Medically speaking, something is happening inside your body that can give your skin, hair, and nails a bit of a boost. It’s not just about you feeling good (though that helps too) there’s real biology at play here.

According to many women’s health experts, the so-called glow is the result of a mix of hormonal changes and increased blood circulation, both of which are cranked way up during pregnancy. These shifts affect everything from the surface of your skin to how your body responds to inflammation, and the results can be pretty noticeable.

Why Hormones Are to Thank (or Blame)

Let’s talk about hormones. They’re the behind-the-scenes power players during pregnancy, calling the shots, making the changes, and sometimes making you feel like you’re on a hormonal rollercoaster.

During pregnancy, your body experiences a significant increase in estrogen and progesterone. These hormones are essential for supporting your baby’s development, but they also have some side effects. One of those is the impact on your skin and other tissues.

Estrogen, for instance, boosts blood flow, including to your skin. When more blood is circulating through your body, your skin can look brighter and more flushed, in a good way. Think of it like a natural highlighter, minus the makeup.

Progesterone, on the other hand, can affect oil production in your skin, giving it a dewy or shiny appearance. Of course, too much oil can also lead to breakouts, so while some women get that healthy glow, others might end up revisiting their teenage acne days.

Brighter Skin, Plumper Lips, and… Swollen Gums?

One of the main reasons your skin might look extra radiant during pregnancy is the increase in blood volume. As your body works overtime to support a growing baby, your blood volume can increase by up to 50%. That’s a lot of extra blood, and some of it makes its way to the surface of your skin.

This increased circulation helps old skin cells shed more quickly, which leads to fresher, newer skin coming to the surface. As a result, your skin might look smoother, rosier, or just… more alive.

But it’s not just your face that changes. The mucous membranes throughout your body also respond to this increase in blood flow. That means your lips may look fuller, your gums might become more sensitive (and sometimes even bleed a little when you brush your teeth), and even your eyes can appear brighter.

It’s not all glamorous—some of these changes are more annoying than attractive, but there’s a reason why people sometimes see a difference in your appearance and call it a glow.

A Surprise Bonus: Skin Conditions May Improve

Here’s something unexpected: certain skin conditions that have plagued you for years might ease up during pregnancy. How? It’s all thanks to your immune system taking a little step back.

When you’re pregnant, your immune system goes into a slightly suppressed state. That’s because your body is carrying something that’s technically “foreign” (your baby), and it needs to make sure it doesn’t treat the fetus like a threat.

This temporary immune modulation can have an unexpected side effect: inflammatory skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis might calm down. If you’ve struggled with skin flare-ups in the past, you might find your skin looking clearer and more even-toned than it has in years.

Of course, not everyone experiences this. Some women find that pregnancy exacerbates their skin issues. Like so many things about pregnancy, it really does vary from person to person.

Hair Goals? Pregnancy Might Help You Out

Ever had one of those days where your hair just works its shiny, thick, and full of volume? For some pregnant women, that becomes the norm, not the exception.

Thanks again to those shifting hormones. During pregnancy, hair follicles often stay in the “growth” phase (called the anagen phase) much longer than usual. That means less shedding and more growing.

You might notice your ponytail feels thicker, or that you’re constantly brushing hair off your shoulders because it’s growing faster than usual. This fullness can be especially noticeable if you usually have fine or thin hair.

On top of that, progesterone increases the production of oil in the scalp, which can give hair a shinier, glossier look almost like you’ve just left the salon. For women who’ve struggled with dull or lifeless hair, this can be a welcome change.

Don’t Forget the Nails

If you’ve been eyeing those long, strong nails and wondering what magic supplement you accidentally took, it’s probably just pregnancy hormones doing their thing.

Like your hair, your nails can enter a phase of rapid growth. They may become longer, harder, or just healthier-looking overall. You might even find that your usual nail polish lasts longer and looks better.

Of course, some women experience the opposite, more brittleness or peeling. Hormonal changes can be a bit of a wild card, after all. But for many, nails get a nice boost right along with everything else.

But Here’s the Catch…

As with all things pregnancy-related, the glow doesn’t last forever. Just like Cinderella’s enchanted evening, eventually, the clock strikes midnight.

After childbirth, hormone levels begin to shift again, this time, dropping significantly. For most women, the post-pregnancy period is a time of transition as the body gradually returns to its pre-pregnancy state.

This means that the lush hair, glowing skin, and strong nails may start to fade. Many new moms experience something called postpartum hair shedding, where all that extra hair you held onto during pregnancy suddenly starts to fall out.

It’s completely normal, though understandably frustrating. The important thing to remember is that your body is readjusting, and most of these changes are temporary.

So… Is the Glow Real or Not?

In short? Yes, the pregnancy glow is real, but it’s not a guarantee, and it’s not always glamorous.

Some women really do look radiant during pregnancy, thanks to increased blood flow, boosted hormones, and subtle shifts in the immune system. For others, the first few months might bring more of a greenish tint, complete with breakouts and exhaustion.

The glow is a combination of physical changes and, perhaps, a little emotional magic. There’s something powerful and beautiful about creating life, even when you’re bloated, tired, and desperately craving weird food combos.

So if someone tells you you’re glowing, even if you feel anything but it’s okay to smile and accept the compliment. They’re seeing something in you that you might not feel right now, but that doesn’t make it any less real.

Because amid all the nausea, hormone swings, and sleepless nights, there’s something undeniably beautiful about what your body is doing. That glow? Maybe it’s science, maybe it’s love, but either way, you’ve earned it.

Final Thoughts: Embrace It, Whatever It Looks Like

Every pregnancy is different. Some women float through with glowing skin, thick hair, and polished nails. Others feel like they’re just surviving, holding their breath until the second trimester hits and things (hopefully) get better.

Whatever your journey looks like, know this: there’s no one right way to look or feel while growing a baby. Whether you’re glowing like a goddess or battling breakouts in sweatpants, you’re doing something extraordinary.

So if you’re lucky enough to catch a glimpse of that glow in the mirror, enjoy it. And if you don’t? That’s okay, too, because pregnancy isn’t about perfection. It’s about transformation, and that, in itself, is beautiful.