The journey to motherhood has begun. You feel a mixture of
anticipation, joy, hope, excitement, and perhaps a little
apprehension. Unfortunately, these euphoric moments may be
punctuated with episodes of nausea, constipation, and back pain.
How do you get through the rest of the pregnancy without these
nagging discomforts?
During pregnancy a woman's body goes through some major changes
to meet the demands of her growing baby. These changes are
initiated by the sex hormones estrogen and progesterone and are
often accompanied by numerous discomforts. These normal side
effects, which vary among women and pregnancies, are not the same as
complications. (Complications of pregnancy include hypertension,
anemia, gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, and vaginal bleeding.)
Here are some common pregnancy discomforts and tips on how to
manage them:
These includes tenderness, heaviness, tingling, as well as an increase in size, darkening of the areolae (skin around the nipples), and more apparent bumps and blood vessels.
What may help:
Wear a supportive bra.
Your taste may change and you may crave certain foods,
especially sweets, while other food becomes distasteful.
What may help:
Eat a balanced diet, eat as you desire, but
avoid bingeing on high calorie and high fat food.
Fatigue is especially common during the first eight to 10 weeks due to
metabolic changes. This may also be related to poor nutrition, being
overweight, lack of regular exercise, and insomnia.
What may help:
Take frequent naps and rest whenever you
can. Cut back on your work or daily activities. Eat small, frequent
meals to keep energy levels even.
You may feel like you're on an emotional roller coaster—excited and euphoric, but also full of doubt and anxiety. You may
cry easily and worry about any number of things, such as your
pregnancy, the health of your baby, giving birth, your relationship
with your partner, and your future.
What may help:
Keep in mind that it's normal to have these
feelings. Talk openly with your partner, family, friends,
and supportive others. Join groups or classes for expectant
mothers.
You'll find that sharing experiences is very helpful.
Smooth muscles in the intestine may relax during pregnancy and
lead to constipation.
What may help:
Eat a lot of high fiber foods such as whole
grains, fruit, and vegetables. Make sure you drink plenty of fluids
and get regular exercise.
As the enlarging uterus puts pressure on your bladder, you may
need to urinate more frequently.
What may help:
Try to reduce your fluid intake before going to bed. Also, avoid drinks with caffeine.
Varicose veins in the anus cause itchiness and pain, triggered by internal pressure from the baby and
constipation.
What may help:
Eat a high fiber diet with whole grains, raw
fruit, and vegetables; drink a lot of water; exercise regularly.
Creams are available to soothe the burning and itching.
Hormone changes can cause you to lose some hair in the weeks
following delivery.
What may help:
Remember that new hair will grow within a
few months. Until then, you might try wearing a shorter, fluffier
hairstyle. Avoid agents that damage the hair such as dyes, perms,
and hot air from blow drying.
"Morning sickness" can be experienced at any time of day and is
usually caused by high pregnancy hormone levels, fatigue, and low blood
sugar. Every woman has a different experience—some don't have
any nausea, while others are sick often. Rarely does sickness become
so severe and prolonged that a woman can't keep any food down and
needs to be hospitalized. In most women, bouts of nausea subside by
the fourth month. If you find you are unable to drink and retain fluids, contact your doctor.
What may help:
Avoid foods that are high in fat, acidic, or
very spicy. Have small frequent snacks of bland food to keep your
blood sugar levels even. If you are nauseous upon rising in the
morning, keep some dry crackers or toast next to your bed. A late
evening snack may help. Avoid tobacco smoke and smells that make
you nauseous.
You may notice a darkening of moles and freckles and the
areolae around the nipples. Some women develop a dark line from the
navel down to their pubic area, or darkened blotches on the face.
These skin changes are caused by hormones and usually disappear
after delivery.
What may help:
Stay out of the sun or wear a strong
sunscreen.
Inflammation and swelling of the gums is often caused by poor
oral hygiene. During pregnancy, however, the gums may bleed easily
as the result of increased progesterone and expanded blood supply
which softens the gums. This increases the risk of food collecting
at the base of the gums, which could lead to tooth decay and gum
disease.
What may help:
Practice good oral hygiene. Brush teeth
several times per day, especially after eating, and use dental
floss. Make sure you visit the dentist during your pregnancy.
Dark purplish, swollen veins may develop in the lower leg,
causing aching and itching. These can be due to pregnancy hormones,
the weight of the baby, increased blood volume, and heredity.
What may help:
Avoid excessive weight gain by exercising on a regular basis. Don't stand for
excessive periods of time or sit with your legs crossed. You can also try elevating your legs on a pillow when lying down, and,
when sitting, keeping your legs raised. Try support stockings before
getting out of bed.
Back aches are common during pregnancy and may result from
increased weight in the abdominal region, bad posture, and
stretching and softening of ligaments.
What may help:
When bending, keep your back straight and
bend your knees. Don't stay in the same position for too long—move around. Avoid heavy lifting. Try to develop good posture and
don't wear heels. Try back exercises for pregnant women.
Indigestion and heartburn are most common during the last
trimester due to increased pressure on the stomach, which causes a
reflux of gastric juices into the esophagus.
What may help:
Avoid fried, spicy, or acidic foods and
drinks. Eat small, frequent snacks rather than several large meals.
Don't drink with your meals. Elevate your head with propped up
pillows when you go to bed. Don't take antacids without seeking
medical help first.
You may have difficulty sleeping due to discomfort, sweating,
leg cramps, the baby kicking, or the need to urinate.
What may help:
Try to unwind before going to bed with a
warm bath, relaxing music, stress-relieving exercises, and
comfortable bed clothing.
