When we think about the pregnant body and the multitude of ways in which it changes, our first thought is about the blooming bump, swiftly followed by the ballooning boobs.

Mar the rosy, beautiful glow that may come with pregnancy - not every expectant mom is so lucky - rarely do we give the face, and the (mostly frustrating) changes it goes through, a passing thought. But, like with every other part of our bodies, it warrants our attention.

If I'm being perfectly honest with you, I'm one of those people who hadn't given any thought about how the face changes during pregnancy. I was worrying about my feet blowing up, and my body hair becoming more feral than it already is.

It didn't occur to my naive self that my face wouldn't be escaping scot-free. Now, as someone who's never been overly confident about herself from the neck up, I'm a fraction concerned about when and how my own face is going to adjust to pregnancy. But I know I'll just have to roll with it when the time comes, and I've come to accept that wearing a balaclava on an off day to go shopping, or to the bank, won't be acceptable.

Thankfully researching for this article has thoroughly educated (scared) me on what to expect and how to deal. While not every woman will experience the same changes, I'm going to let you in on 15 ways your face might change during the coming nine months.

13 A Swollen Nose

Well I never. Who would have thought that your nose would actually SWELL UP when you are pregnant? This is yet another revelation for me. While Kim Kardashian was more than happy to take to Instagram to show off her 'swollen pregnancy lips,' I have a hunch she would have been less inclined to do so if it was her sneezer doing the swelling.

It's not all bad though, because according to an old wives tale, your nose swelling - or not - can give you answers to the gender of your baby even before you have the ultrasound performed. If your nose is swelling at this tip, apparently this means you have a little girl on the way.

In Sweden they have an interesting and I think quite lovely way of determining the changes that happen to a woman's face. Apparently, she is giving her beauty to the baby.

12 The Mask Of Pregnancy

The mask of pregnancy - sounds quite bloody ominous if you ask me - is a condition also known as melasma. It's typically recognised in the form of tan or brown patches.  These hormone-induced patches of hyperpigmentation can appear on your forehead, cheeks, or chin. Now isn't that just lovely!

If you're a woman with a darker skin tone, it is more likely that you will experience 'the mask of pregnancy.' You're also more prone to developing the condition if it runs in your family.

Unfortunately, being out in the sun only makes it worse, so it is best not to overdo your exposure. If you are outside always remember to put on some sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. Melasma should disappear once you've given birth, but if it's still around after a few months, it'll be a good idea to get in touch with your dermatologist.

11 Broken Capillaries

You've heard the enduring term spider veins before haven't you? If you're anything like me, you wouldn't have attributed them to pregnancy. More like the later stage of life, when the kids have grown up and staggered from the nest.

But, as joy would have it, spider veins known medically as broken capillaries may appear during pregnancy. You might find them creeping on your cheeks, all but ruining that 'heavenly glow.'

Broken capillaries (tiny blood vessels) occur as a result of increased blood circulation and because your pregnancy has a softening effect on blood vessels. Thankfully, they're painless and it's possible to cover them up with makeup.

Your best bet would be to invest in a amazing, full-coverage concealer which will help you forget your spider veins for a little while. One favourite among makeup artists is Giorgio Armani Skin Retouch. The broken capillaries should disappear soon after you've given birth.

10 Skin Redness

Because your poor face isn't going through enough as it is, you should expect some increased redness, too. As someone who suffered with rosacea for many years and who likes to be as pale as Nosferatu, this is something of a sensitive area for me. I'm thinking about making a military style plan of action.

Skin redness is due to increased blood pressure, as well as carrying extra weight from the baby. The best things that you can do for yourself should your face take on the shade of a ripe Mediterranean vegetable, is to schedule a professional facial.

Now, I know what you're thinking, 'oh, but I don't have the time!' Lady, you make the time! A soothing anti-redness treatment can do wonders for your self-esteem and you can leave the appointment with not only improved skin and confidence, but tips and tricks you can follow at home, too.

9 Rounder Cheeks

Here is yet another sensitive topic for me. I've forever been teased around the shape of my face - it looked like a moon for much of my childhood, teenage years and adult life. It's only just started to reach a sort of angular shape which I'm slowly getting used to at the age of 30, and now the threat of needing to endure chubby cheeks again is looming!

When you enter the third trimester, it is common to experience edema, or swelling, and this can have an effect on every part of your body, from your face to your feet.

Some women really do appreciate the roundness because it makes them look more youthful. But, and I was relieved to discover this I have to say, the plumpness is only temporary, and it will fade away, potentially leaving your face more angular (yay!) and less youthful (not so yay).

8 Loss Of Eyelashes And Eyebrows

Of all the pregnancy symptoms I've encountered, this was the one I least expected! We can safely say no part of your body is going to be unaffected by your pregnancy.

But why oh why does this happen? Well, when your eyelashes and eyebrows thin and get shorter it might be down to having a nutrient or a vitamin deficiency or your thyroid function. Some moms have reported that their eyelashes started to fall out when their diet was lacking in protein. However as soon as they upped their protein intake, their eyelashes returned to normal.

This isn't always the case however. If it happens to you, talk to your doctor and get your protein levels and thyroid checked out. If you're having problems with your eyelashes, avoid mascara! The chemicals break down your lash hairs. Your eyebrows and eyelashes should return to normal by the end of your pregnancy.

7 Puffy Eyelids

Surely your eyelids won't retain water. I mean, they're bloody EYELIDS! Sadly, however, like with every other body part, eyelids can also hold onto water. Many expectant moms experience puffy eyelids and puffy eyes. While puffy eyes are not a cause for concern, they can be uncomfortable. They're normal and usually happen because of fluctuating hormones.

It's not clear why puffy eyelids happen to some moms and not to others, and unfortunately, when they're all puffed up they're hard to miss. You'll also notice they feel heavier. In theory, if your eyelids are swelling, it ought to be the same for both eyes. Some women have puffy upper and lower lids, while others just have the lower eyelids swell up.

You'll notice they're worse first thing in the morning, or if you've been doing something that involves straining your eyes. Getting enough sleep and drinking plenty of water can help.

6 Back-To-Puberty Acne

If you happen to be one of the lucky ones, you might see your blemishes actually decrease during your pregnancy. However it's more likely you'll see pimples pop up relentlessly all over the shop. Once again it's those pesky hormones at play, increasing the secretion from oil glands, sebum build-up, and clogged pores.

When you're expecting, you should know many ingredients that are found in acne products can't be used until after you've given birth. It's really important that you read labels carefully and consult with your doctor before taking any medication to calm your acne down.

While acne is a massive pain in the ass, in the grand scheme of your pregnancy it's nothing to get stressed about. You can use your outbreak as an excuse to treat yourself to some decent concealer and cleansing products - just remember to check the labels and get the OK from your doctor!

5 Swelling Of The Face

Unfortunately, there is no way to control which area of your body is going to swell. What a depressing game of lottery! The only thing you can do is cross your fingers and hope for the best. Some women can make it through pregnancy with very little swelling, while others can't rid their body of excess fluid.

In some instances, a swollen face can be a cause for concern. If you find you're experiencing other unnatural symptoms along with your swollen face - vision problems, an unexplained pain in the upper part of your abdomen, a persistent headache - contact your doctor immediately.

The swelling in your face could be the result of a medical condition called preeclampsia or toxemia. This causes a pregnant woman's blood pressure to rise to shocking numbers, while causing protein to form in the urine. The condition can affect your kidneys, liver, brain and placenta.

4 Sensitive Skin

One of the most common skin problems during pregnancy is sensitive skin. You may find that it can easily turn red if you use scrubs or lotions that previously hadn't given you any bother.

If you do find yourself suffering with sensitive skin, invest in unscented products and natural soap. Store your lovely scented stuff for after you've given birth. Maybe put them in a box along with other things you need to avoid and pop it under the bed to open when the little one is out in the world.

You'll probably find yourself with extremely dry skin at some point during your pregnancy. This can be eased up by increasing your intake of water and using natural lotions. Coconut oil is an excellent option. Your rampant hormones will probably make you more sensitive to things that don't normally affect you, for example sunlight, heat, chlorine and even some foods.

3 Freckles And Moles Changing

Yep, you guessed it. It's those hormones at play again. If you have moles or freckles on your face, you may find that, due to increased blood flow and hormones they might get a bit big and dark.

What's essentially happening is the increased levels of oestrogen and progesterone in your body stimulates the melanin cells in your skin to make more pigment.

Minor changes are normal during pregnancy and are no cause for alarm, but if you notice any unusual changes, get in touch with your doctor for a check-up. Unusual changes can include a previously flat mole becoming raised. Ragged or irregular borders and an uneven colour. A tender, itchy or painful mole. A mole that's bleeding or crusting over, or a mole that has become noticeably bigger.

If you have lots of moles, be sure to wear sunscreen and avoid being in direct sunlight for too long.

2 The Glow

At last, one thing that you can (hopefully) look forward to - the pregnancy glow! It's one of the few - and it really is a few isn't it - physiological changes that an expectant mom can actually look forward to.

This time, there's something that you can actually thank your hormones for. While it might not come immediately, you can expect that during your second trimester, your skin will look noticeably brighter or blushed thanks to an increase in blood volume which brings more blood to the surface. Increased hormones can also cause your facial oil glands to produce more oil which in turn makes the skin more shiny.

Due to the fact that 'the glow' is because of a range of contributing factors, no pregnant woman will experience it in the same way. With any look you'll find yourself being treated to that supreme compliment - you're glowing!

1 Great Hair

If all else fails and your face lets you down during your nine months, at least you can console yourself with the fact you'll have INCREDIBLE hair! Just focus everyone's attention on that instead. Make it the focal point when you go out, when you take photos, when you're feeling like a pile of urgh and need to cheer yourself up.

Your hair will feel thicker and fuller when you're pregnant, but not because you're growing more (oh how I wish it was!) but because you're losing less than you normally would before you were pregnant.

Usually, 85 to 95 percent of your hair is in a growing stage, while the other 5 to 15 percent is resting. After a time the resting hair naturally falls out and is replaced by new growth. During pregnancy, your higher levels of estrogen extend the growth phase, which results in less hair shedding.