Most Women suffer only a few, if any, medical complaints during their pregnancy. And some women say they’ve never felt better.
Nausea or Morning Sickness :
Morning Sickness is a very common problem of pregnant ladies So, if you are experiencing the same then you are not alone. Almost 70 percent of ladies experience nausea during pregnancy especially early in pregnancy and about 50 percent ladies experience vomiting. It’s a very common problem.
Pregnancy nausea is related to high levels of placental hormone called chorionic gonadotropin. Thankfully it usually improves by 12 weeks.
To counteract nausea, sip water and eat a little dry bread or a ginger cookie. Have small, frequent meals and try chewing fresh ginger root or drinking ginger, peppermint or lemon balm tea. Avoid fatty foods and anything bitter such as coffee, lettuce or Brussels sprouts. Avoid travelling and getting overtired.
Acupressure sometimes helps: lightly press point PC6 (three finger-width above the crease on the front of the wrist between the two tendons in the center of the forearm) for two minutes or wear an acupressure wristband (sold for seasickness). A cup of chamomile tea every two hours may help. Herbal remedies made from tamarind can be useful, but consult a medical herbalist for safe, personalised advice.
Some Common Problems of Pregnancy:
Fatigue:
Eat a healthy diet, don’t work too hard, manage stress effectively and put your feet up whenever possible. Use some relaxing techniques and take proper rest.
Heartburn:
Don’t eat or drinks too much; avoid rich meals; don’t eat any fruit after a meal; eat slowly and relax at mealtimes; drink fluids only between meals and avoid alcohol. Leave several hours between eating and bedtime. Have an extra pillow or prop up the head of the bed. And ask your doctor or pharmacist to recommend an antacid or a “rafting agent” such as an alginate.
Cramp:
Take daily exercise. Eat a healthy diet containing magnesium-rich foods. Have a warm bath before bedtime and keep warm in bed. One unexpected remedy recommended by a surprising number of people is a cork or a magnet beneath the mattress! A firm massage can relieve Cramp, as can stretching the muscle.
Varicose Veins:
Get a daily half-hour of exercise. Avoid standing, keep legs uncrossed when sitting, rest more and when you do, put your legs up. Support tights may help. Eat a healthy diet with plenty of foods rich in vitamin C and flavonoids.
Hemorrhoids and Constipation:
For haemorrhoids, drink more water, eat more fibre-rich foods and take regular exercise. The advice is the same for constipation. If you are taking iron tablets, ask for an alternative that doesn’t encourage constipation. Don’t take laxatives without consulting your doctor.
Backache in Pregnancy:
Exercise regularly and check your posture. Stretching often relieves muscle tension, as does massage. When sleeping on your side, put a pillow between your knees or bend your upper leg at hip and knee, push it slightly forward and rest it on a pillow. When sleeping on your back, put a pillow or two beneath your knees. If necessary, consult and osteopath or chiropractor.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome:
Never pressure from fluid retention can lead to tingling and numbness in the thumb and first three fingers, symptoms known as the carpal tunnel syndrome
Itching:
Put two tablespoon of baking soda in your bath water- but don’t soak for too long. Afterwards, apply some moisturising cream mixed with a few drops of lavender oil. See your doctor if itching lasts more than a few days or if you look sallow. Persistent itching can result from a liver problem that resolves after delivery but doctors must monitor such a pregnancy closely and may need to induce labour early.
Also Read: 6 Easy Tips to Reduce Weight After Pregnancy
Thrush and Bacterial Vaginosis:
Itching and a vaginal discharge due to Candida infection (thrush) are common. You can treat the infection with anti-fungal cream and suppositories bought over the counter. Another infection, bacterial vaginosis, is easily mistaken for thrush. This can trigger preterm labour, so if thrush treatment doesn’t work, consult your doctor. Bacterial vaginosis is treated with antibiotics.
Urine Leaks:
Doing pelvic floor exercises several times a day helps prevent any urine from leaking. Don’t let your bladder overfill and avoid movements that trigger leaks.
Bleeding and Miscarriage:
One pregnant woman in ten, bleeds a little in early pregnancy, but continued bleeding and stomach-ache are usually signs of miscarriage.
If you bleed heavily or feel faint, call an ambulance or your maternity unit. You may have a low-lying placenta (placenta previa) and need an emergency cesarean. If you are bleeding lightly, call your doctor.
If a scan shows your baby is alive, there is a nine-in-ten chance that all will be well. Your doctor will check your blood group. If you are Rhesus-negative, you’ll need an injection of antibodies (anti-D immunoglobulin) to prevent trouble next time you are pregnant.
It’s unlikely that anything you do will influence your baby’s chance of survival. However, don’t have penetrative sex or an orgasm until a day or two after the bleeding stops and don’t use tampons. Don’t lift heavy weights or stand for long and have a few days off physically onerous work. Two in five miscarriages are unexplained but there are known possibilities. These includes:
- A damaged or abnormal baby
- An immune problem such as anti-phospholipid syndrome in which antibodies create small blood clots in the placenta. Treatment is with aspirin (and perhaps heparin to help prevent clots).
- Pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure and possibly, protein in the urine and ankle swelling)
- Too little folic acid
- Infection
- Diabetes
- Being overweight
- Excessive alcohol or smoking
- Environmental hazards (such as pesticide or radiation exposure)
- A hormonal imbalance (for example, with polycystic ovaries). Four out of five repeated miscarriage associated with polycystic ovaries
- A mishappen womb
- A weak cervix
- Fatigue and stress may play a part.
Many of these factors also encourage preterm birth or the need to induce labour.