COMMON COMPLAINTS DURING PREGNANCY
Back
Ache
Breast feels tender
Constipation
Depression
Excessive Salivation
Fatigue, Laziness and Sleepiness
Food Aversion and Craving
Frequent Urination
Headaches
Heart Burns
Itching
Increase in size of Breast
Morning Sickness
Nasal Problems
Skin Color
Stretch Marks
Urinary Tract Infection
Vaginal Discharge
Varicose Veins
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| Q. Why does the back ache so much?
Top |
| Nearly
every woman experiences backache at some time in pregnancy. The
body is making adjustments for the new entrant. A change in mobility
of joints may contribute to the change in the posture and may
cause discomfort in the lower back. This is particularly more
in the latter part of pregnancy. Along with a huge stomach, the
body is slightly off-balanced and results in strained back muscles
and pain.
Care must be taken in getting out of bed or getting up from sitting.
Correct posture and sensible weight gain would go a long way in
minimizing the pain. Continue exercising within guidelines during
pregnancy. Get the habit of lying on the side while sleeping. |
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| Q. Does the breast feel very tender
during pregnancy? Top |
| There
are many changes in the breast during pregnancy. During the early
weeks or common symptom of pregnancy is tingling or soreness of
the breast. The tenderness will disappears after the 3rd or 4th
month. It is very essential to wear a good bra to prevent sagging
of the breast. |
|
| Q.
Does one get constipated often ?
Top |
| It
is very common during pregnancy. Many women notice an increase
in constipation accompanied by irregular bowel movements. This
includes an increase in occurrence of hemorrhoids. Proper diet,
plenty of liquids, certain foods such as bran, figs, prune, dates
have a very high fiber content. Do not use laxatives unless advised
by the doctor. |
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| Q.
Does one suffer from depression during pregnancy
? Top
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| It
may be the normal mood swings of pregnancy. It is more pronounced
in the first trimester and
occurs in women who ordinarily suffer from emotional instability.
What
to do
Though there is no
cure for mood swings, avoiding sugar, chocolates and caffeine,
getting a good balance of rest and exercise and wherever possible
talking your feelings out can all help to keep your mood from
swinging very far. |
|
| Q.
Does one suffer from excessive salivation during
pregnancy ? Top |
| Women
during pregnancy are occasionally distressed by profuse salivation
and it is more common in women, who experience morning sickness.
What
to do
Brush
your teeth frequently with a minty toothpaste or rinse with a
minty mouthwash. |
|
| Q.
Does one suffer fatigue, laziness and sleepiness
during pregnancy ? Top |
These
symptoms tend to appear within the first month of pregnancy. Your
pregnant body is working harder even when you are resting, than
compared to a non-pregnant body, as it is manufacturing your baby's
life support system, the placenta. It may also be due to severe
nausea, vomiting and inability to eat.
What
to do:
Don’t
fight fatigue, it is legitimate
* |
Get
adequate rest, put your feet up when you can, read and watch
TV. These things
are more important than trying to keep your house spick
and span or
serving dinners, trying to be a perfect wife and a perfect
mother. |
* |
Go
to bed early and indulge in a good afternoon nap. |
* |
Ensure
that you are having a healthy well balanced nutritional
diet. Sugar and caffeine
may temporarily lift your blood sugar, but soon the level
will plummet
leaving you more fatigued than ever. Consumption of Glucose
helps to
a
great extent. |
* |
If
fatigue is severe accompanied by fainting / breathlessness
/ palpitations, it is
wise to report it to your doctor. |
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|
| Q.
Do women suffer from food aversion and craving
during pregnancy? Top
|
| Majority
of pregnant women experience sudden gastronomic eccentricities,
having a craving for some foods and aversion to other foods. Blame
it again on the hormonal havoc of pregnancy.
Advise: If
you have aversion for coffee, caffeine, chocolates, cakes, you
should consider yourself lucky because they come in the way of your balanced
diet. However, if you get a craving for them, seek a alternative
that satisfies yours and your baby’s nutritional heads. Yes, occasionally
you can give in to your craving and cheat!
However if you get aversion to milk, dairy products, fish,
broccoli, green vegetables,
try and find compensating sources of these nutrients. The need
for diary products is because of its calcium
content. Find out the alternate sources of calcium listed
in week 17, so that your calcium requirements are fulfilled. Most
cravings subside by third or fourth month of pregnancy, but if
they last longer, it may be triggered by emotional needs. |
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| Q.
Does one suffer from frequent urination during
pregnancy ? Top |
Mostly
it is due to pressure on the bladder by the growing uterus, which
is still in the pelvis next to the bladder. It could be attributed
to the increase volume of body fluids and improved efficiency
of the kidneys, which helps rid the body more quickly of the waste
products. The symptom subsides once the uterus rises into the
abdominal cavity, around the 4th month.
What to do :
* |
Leaning
forward when you urinate may empty your bladder completely
and reduce trips to the bathroom. |
* |
If
visits are frequent at night, limit your fluids after
9 pm however, don’t limit fluids otherwise. |
* |
If
urination is associated with burning and itching, it could
be due to urinary infection consult your doctor. |
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|
| Q.
Does one suffer from headaches during pregnancy
? Top
|
| Headaches
are a frequent complaint, early on in pregnancy. In vast majority
of cases, no cause can be demonstrated, though most believe that
they are the result of hormonal changes complemented by
fatigue and emotional stress. Rule out all other medical
causes of headache like sinusitis, eye strain or dental problem.
In the later part of pregnancy, it would be due to pregnancy induced
hypertension.
What
to do:
* |
Relax,
get enough rest, seek peace and quiet. |
* |
Avoid
smoke filled unventilated rooms. |
* |
Treatment
should be according to the cause. |
* |
If
headache is accompanied by visual disturbances, fever, puffiness
of hands and
face, notify your doctor at once. |
|
|
| Q.
Does one suffer from heart burns during pregnancy
? Top |
Discomfort
from heart burns is one of the most common complaints during pregnancy.
It may begin early although it becomes more severe late in pregnancy
It occurs due to two factors:
a. Decreased gastrointestinal motility.
b. Compression of the stomach by the uterus as it enlarges and
moves into the abdomen.
For most women symptoms are not severe. You can minimize heart
burns by
* Eating smaller and more frequent meals.
* Avoid spicy, fried, fatty foods, meat, chocolate, alcohol.
* Avoid very tight clothes, certain sleeping positions such
as bending over or
lying flat.
* Avoid sleeping immediately after a meal.
* With the Doctors advise one may take an antacid. |
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|
| Q. Is itching common symptom during
pregnancy?
Top |
| Yes,
it is a very common symptom during pregnancy. Nearly 20 % of all
pregnant women suffer from itching,usually in the later weeks
of pregnancy, but it can occur at any time.Treatment for itching
consist of anti histamines with doctor's advise or cooling lotions
containing menthol or camphor. |
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| Q. Do the breast become big during
pregnancy? Top |
| Before
pregnancy each breast weighs about 7 ounces i.e 200 gms. During
pregnancy the size and shape of the breast increases. By the end
of pregnancy each breast weighs between 14 to 28 ounces i.e. 400
to 800 gms. The glands that make up the breast open up into ducts
in the nipple. Each nipple contains nerve endings, muscles fibres,
sebaceous glands, sweat glands and 20 milk ducts. The nipple is
surrounded by the areola. Before pregnancy, the areola is usually
pink. It turns brown or red brown and enlarges during pregnancy
and lactation. |
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| Q. What is morning sickness?
Top |
| Another
early symptom of pregnancy is nausea with or without vomiting.
This is often called morning sickness. The stem of the brain acts
as the command centre for nausea and vomiting. This area gets
stimulated by high levels of beta HCG (Hormone Chorionic Gonadotrophin
- a pregnancy hormone) present in the blood, in the first trimester
morning sickness whether it occurs either in the morning or later
in the day. It begins around the 6th week of pregnancy and usually
improves by the end of the first trimester. A woman whose command
centre is very sensitive is likely to suffer severe symptoms.
Besides this stress, fatigue also play their part in contributing
to morning sickness.
There is no completely successful treatment for normal nausea
and vomiting of pregnancy, although remedies are often tried to
provide relief. They include the following :
1. Eat small amounts at frequent intervals.
2. Avoid eating foods with unpleasant odour.
3. Increase intake of liquids.
4. Eat a diet containing carbohydrates and protein as it combat
nausea.
5. Eat before nausea strikes i.e. eat before going to bed and
before stepping
out of bed.
6. Get enough of sleep and rest. |
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| Q. Are there nasal problems during
pregnancy?
Top |
|
Some
women complain of stuffiness of their nose or frequent nose bleeds
during pregnancy. High levels of estrogen and progestresone circulating
in the body increases the blood flow to the mucous membrane in
the nose. The congestion normally last till after delivery. Don't
try nasal sprays or decongestant as most of them are ill advised
during pregnancy. Consult the doctor. |
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| Q. Does the skin colour change during
pregnancy ? Top |
|
Changes in the skin may occur. In many women the midline skin
of the abdomen becomes darker /pigmented. Occasionally irregular
brown patches varying in size appear on the face and neck. All
these disappear or get lighter after delivery. One can take care
of their skin by drinking plenty of fluids, avoiding make up and
creams.Washing your face 2 to 3 times a day with water, using
a light moisturiser, eating a lot of green vegetables and fruits. |
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| Q. How does one prevent stretch marks
on the body ? Top |
|
Stretch marks, are seen often and in varying degrees
during pregnancy.They may appear early in your pregnancy usually
on your abdomen, breast,hips or buttocks. After pregnancy, they
may fade to the same colour as the rest of your skin, but they
won't go away. Many doctors believe that their is nothing you
can do to prevent stretch marks.Women have tried many kinds of
lotions with ingredients varying from lanolin to aloe vera to
mineral oil.It doesn't hurt to try lotions, but it probably won't
make a difference. |
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| Q. Does one urinate a lot during
pregnancy?
Top |
| During
pregnancy, the Kidneys work more efficiently and there is a very
substantial increase in volume of body fluids, resulting in the
body to get rid of waste more quickly. This problem will continue
during pregnancy and one may get up frequently at night.
It is quite common to get urinary tract infection during pregnancy.
Their symptoms are that it is painful urination, particularly
at the end of urination, the feeling of urgency to urinate and
frequent urination. One can avoid this infection by not hold the
urine. Emptying the bladder as soon as one feels the need to.
Drink plenty of fluids. If one thinks that one has the infection,
it is necessary to talk to the Doctor. An antibiotics may be prescribed
by the doctor. If left untreated, it can get worse and lead to
complications. |
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| Q. Does one get a vaginal discharge
during pregnancy?
Top |
Throughout
pregnancy a thin, milky white discharge is normal, which will
increase until term. Apart from offending your esthetic sensibilities,
the discharge is not of much concern.
What
to do:
* |
Keep
genital area clean and dry. In case of excessive discharge
wearing
sanitary pads is advised, but use of tampons is to be
avoided. Rinse vaginal area
thoroughly after a shower or bath. Avoid perfumes and
bubble baths. |
* |
Use
of cotton panties is advisable. Avoid tight pants or jeans. |
* |
If
you develop a thick cheesy yellowish greenish discharge
with a foul odour (trichomonas infection) or a thick curdy
discharge (monilial infection) report it to the doctor. |
* |
If
infection is sexually transmitted, avoid intercourse until
you and your spouse are infection free. |
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| Q. Is it true that pregnant women
develop Varicose Veins? Top |
| Varicose
veins occurs to some degree in most pregnant women. There appears
to be an inherited predisposition to varicose veins that can be
made more severe by pregnancy, increased age and from pressure
caused by standing for long period of time.
Varicose veins are a network of veins that are expanded to carry
the increased blood supply through the body. They occur primarily
in the legs. In most cases they get worse and worse noticeable
and painful as pregnancy progresses. To prevent varicose veins,
it is simple just take the pressure off the legs. One must avoid
excessive gain, standing for long periods, straining during bowel
movements and avoid wearing clothing that restrict circulation
like very tight fitted clothes. One must elevate their legs to
hip level while sitting. Exercising as per doctors advise and
a dose of Vitamin C to keep the veins elastic and healthy. |
