Here are the most common discomforts of pregnancy and some tips for handling them:
Morning sickness. Nausea or vomiting may strike anytime during the day (or night). Try eating small, frequent meals, and avoid greasy foods. Keep crackers by your bed to eat before getting up. Other tips include eating cold foods or to avoid smelling foods as they are cooked.
Talk to your doctor if morning sickness lasts past the first three months of pregnancy or causes you to lose weight. On the positive side, women with lots of morning sickness rarely miscarry.
Tiredness. Sometimes being tired in pregnancy is due to anemia, so tell your doctor. Get enough rest. Take a daytime nap if possible.
Leg cramps. Gently stretch the calf of your leg by pointing your toes upward, toward your knee.
Constipation. Drink plenty of fluids. Eat foods with lots of fibre, such as prunes and bran cereal. Don’t take laxatives without talking to your doctor first. Stool softeners are safe. Use only fibre laxatives such as Metamucil and Prodiem.
Hemorrhoids. Don’t strain during bowel movements. Try to avoid becoming constipated. Take several warm soaks (sitz baths) and use hemorrhoid ointment if needed.
Urinating more. You may need to void (“pee”) more often as your baby grows because he or she will put pressure on your bladder. This can’t be helped and is normal. If it burns when you void, see your doctor.
Varicose veins. Avoid clothing that fits tightly around your legs or waist. Rest and put your feet up as much as you can. Move around if you must stand for long periods. Ask your doctor about support hose.
Moodiness. Your hormones are on a roller coaster ride for nine months. Plus, your life is going through a big change. Don’t be too hard on yourself. If you feel very sad or think about suicide, talk to your doctor.
Skin changes. Stretch marks appear as red lines on your skin. Lotion can help keep your skin moist and may help reduce the itchiness of dry skin. Stretch marks really can’t be prevented but they often fade after giving birth.
Other skin changes may include darkening of the skin on your face and around your nipples, and a dark line below your belly button. Staying out of the sun or using a sunscreen may help lessen these marks. They’ll probably fade after you have your baby.
Heartburn. Eat small meals often. Avoid spicy or greasy foods. Don’t lie down right after eating. Ask your doctor about taking other treatments.
Yeast infections. The amount of discharge from the vagina increases during pregnancy. But yeast infections, which can also cause discharge and itching, are more common during pregnancy. So it’s a good idea to talk with your doctor about any discharge that doesn’t get better after treatment.
Bleeding gums. Brush and floss regularly, and see your dentist for cleanings. Don’t put off dental visits because you’re pregnant. But be sure to tell your dentist you’re pregnant.
Stuffy nose. This is related to changes in the levels of the female hormone estrogen. You may also have nosebleeds. Avoid decongestants.
Edema (retaining fluid). Rest with your legs up.
Health Notes from Your Family DoctorLie on your left side while sleeping so blood flows from your legs back to your heart better. Don’t use diuretics (water pills).