10 Common Discomforts During Pregnancy

A wide array of changes occurs in your body when you’re pregnant which is why women usually experience different discomforts during pregnancy. It’s important to bear in mind that different women experience these discomforts differently and that’s okay. For example, if you already have one or more kids and are pregnant again you’ve probably noticed you experienced symptoms in different intensity. In order to enjoy the special time in your life and make pregnancy a positive experience, you have to learn how to tackle common discomforts that might occur. In this article you’re going to learn about the most common pregnancy discomforts and how to manage them.

1. Nausea and vomiting

Nausea and vomiting usually occur in early stages of pregnancy and affects 9 out of 10 moms-to-be and they indicate the well-known morning sickness. Although the exact cause of morning sickness is relatively unknown, experts assume it’s due to hormonal imbalances. There is also a theory that heightened sense of smell and nausea are a defense mechanism that prevent you from eating something harmful or exposing yourself to toxins that could harm both you and your baby.

Here are a few tips to manage nausea and vomiting during the pregnancy:

• Eat little and often i.e. instead of big meals, have smaller ones
• Eat protein-rich foods
• Keep morning sickness diary – tracking when morning sickness peaks can help you identify times when you can eat or drink
• Stay hydrated (particularly between meals)
• Get some rest
• Sniff lemons to ease nausea

2. Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids can be itchy, painful, and uncomfortable. You’re probably wondering what’s causing hemorrhoids in the first place. Well, pressure from your enlarging uterus starting at week 25 as well as increased blood flow to the pelvic area cause veins in the rectal wall to swell, itch and bulge. Plus, constipation can aggravate the problem and in some cases it can be the primary cause of hemorrhoids in pregnant women. Luckily, you can manage this problem with the following tips:

• Avoid constipation, stay regular
• Do Kegel exercise
• Avoid sleeping on your back, sleep on your side
• Stay active
• Don’t strain or linger on the toilet
• Pay attention to the hygiene
• Take a warm bath
• Get a donut-shaped pillow
• Consult your doctor about hemorrhoids treatments

3. Varicose veins

Most women deal with varicose veins during the pregnancy. As uterus grows, it forms a pressure onto the large vein located on the right side of the body. This increased pressure on the large vein heightens pressure in the leg veins. With that being said, you can prevent or minimize varicose veins with these tips:

• Exercise regularly
• Stay in recommended weight range throughout your pregnancy
• Elevate legs and feet whenever possible
• Don’t cross your legs and ankles
• Sleep on your left side
• Wear special support hose

4. Heartburn and indigestion

Heartburn and indigestion are caused by a pressure on your stomach and intestines. You can prevent or reduce this discomfort in the following ways:

• Quit smoking (it’s a must anyway)
• Avoid foods that trigger heart-burn
• Keep food journal
• Drink before and after each meal
• Chew slowly
• Eat smaller meals
• Avoid taking a nap shortly after eating.

5. Bleeding gums

Unfortunately this pregnancy discomfort isn’t discussed as much as others, but it’s equally frustrating. More than a half of pregnant women report swollen, red, and tender gums that bleed. This happens due to a mild form of gum disease known as pregnancy gingivitis. Hormonal changes are the main contributors to the inflamed gums. It’s important to take care of your gums and teeth during pregnancy, here are a few tips:

• Brush teeth regularly
• Floss daily
• Use alcohol-free mouthwash
• Visit your dentist regularly (don’t skip these appointments just because you’re pregnant)

 6. Swelling/fluid retention

Experiencing mild swelling is common during pregnancy, but severe and persistent swelling usually indicates preeclampsia. Swelling is caused by additional blood and fluid during pregnancy and it has a special purpose – to soften the body and allow it to expand as your baby develops. Here’s what you can do to manage swelling during pregnancy:

• Avoid standing for too long
• Rest or swim in a pool
• Reduce time spent outdoor during summer
• Wear comfortable shoes
• Avoid wearing clothes tight around wrists and ankles

7.Stretch marks

Stretch marks are tiny tears in the supporting layers of tissue under your skin as it’s pulled tight by the growing body and increasing weight during the pregnancy. Formation of stretch marks also has a lot to do with genetics. Although there is no proven way to prevent or eliminate stretch marks entirely you should bear in mind they fade over time and eventually become unnoticeable. Here are a few things you can do to minimize your chances for developing stretch marks:

• Moisturize regularly
• Eat Vitamin C-rich foods
• Make sure you don’t gain more weight than it is recommended

8.Constipation

Constipation is caused by increase in the hormone progesterone which relaxes smooth muscles throughout your body including digestive tract. In turn, food passes more slowly than usual thus causing constipation. Here is what you can do to prevent and ease this discomfort:

• Eat foods rich in fiber
• Stay hydrated
• Exercise regularly
• Consult your doctor about using pregnancy supplements that don’t contain high levels of iron
• Never avoid going to the bathroom when you feel the urge

9. Back pain

As your weight increases and balance changes, the center of gravity is pulled forward thus straining the back. Also, pelvis joints that start loosening to prepare for childbirth contribute to the back pain as well. Here’s what you can do:

• Get a massage
• Always maintain proper posture
• Exercise
• Try acupuncture
• Apply ice pack to numb the pain and hot compresses to ease the stiffness of the affected area

10. Headache

Exact cause of headaches during pregnancy isn’t known yet, but experts assume they occur due to hormonal imbalances and increased blood volume and circulation. To avoid headaches or relieve the pain, you should:

• Apply warm or cool compresses to your forehead
• Take a cold shower
• Don’t go thirsty or hungry
• Take a nap during the day to avoid fatigue
• Try yoga, meditation, or some other relaxation techniques.

Conclusion

Pregnancy is usually coupled with various discomforts that make moms-to-be feeling uncomfortable or frustrated. Luckily, all these discomforts disappear when you have your baby or even sooner, but there are numerous things you can do manage them or prevent them entirely. Throughout this article you’ve found out how to manage ten most common pregnancy discomforts. Remember, you can consult your doctor in case you have any questions or more tips to tackle problems you experience.

References:
http://www.cafemom.com/journals/read/1707253/Twins_Pregnancy_Signs_and_Symptoms
http://mommd.com/blogs/26-weeks-pregnant-with-twins-the-challenges-and-benefits.shtml