In case you haven’t heard, Beyonce is pregnant with twins. But recently, it’s her lips, not growing belly, that has been at the center of a controversy. New photos of the star have been under scrutiny after fans criticized the Single Ladies crooner for getting lip injections. Her publicist insists it's just a case of “pregnancy lips.” Even Kim Kardashian has come to the star’s defense, insisting that pregnancy lips are a real thing, but what does science have to say?

The singer’s publicist Yvette Noel-Schure insists the fuller lips are not a result of lip fillers. In a statement sent to Gossip Cop, Noel-Schure defends the singer, stating that swollen lips are a common side effect of pregnancy for many women.

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“What do you know about the effects of pregnancy on a woman’s entire body? Please tell me. Did you know that in addition to weight gain there is often a dramatic change in the blood flow in the system and increased fluid causing swelling?” wrote Noel-Schure. “Do you know that often women’s gums get swollen? Do you know that it sometimes affects our speech, our ability to chew intently and a host of other things?”

According to the American Pregnancy Association, swelling is a very common side effect of pregnancy. This is because the body produces around 50 percent more blood and body fluids during pregnancy in order to meet the needs of the baby, and water weight accounts for about a quarter of all weight women gain during their pregnancy. In fact, extra fluid in the pelvic joints and tissue helps to prepare the woman for delivery, making the process easier. What’s more, swelling becomes especially noticeable during the fifth month, and then again in the third trimester. This swelling is most often seen in the hands and feet, swelling in the face is also not rare.

While this swelling is a very natural and normal part of pregnancy, according to the American Pregnancy Association, sudden swelling in the hands and feet could be a sign of preeclampsia, a very serious and dangerous condition that occurs in pregnant women.

Medical News Today reports that preeclampsia occurs when there is a sudden rise in blood pressure in pregnant women, and swollen hands, feet, and face are the most notable signs. While the condition is extremely common, occurring in about one in every 20 pregnancies, it is also dangerous if left untreated. Experts are still not sure what causes it. The only cure is to deliver the baby, but the condition can also make delivery more dangerous as it raises the risk for severe bleeding, placental rips, and seizures.

 

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