Although most women
go through pregnancies without complications,
it can however be an uncomfortable
time. Many of these ailments are caused
by fatigue and carrying around the
excess kilos. Being prepared for them
is half a battle. Below is a table
of the common complaints experienced
at some point and to some degree by
most expecting Moms
| COMPLAINT |
CAUSES |
SYMPTOMS
|
TREATMENTS |
Abdominal
pain
2nd and 3rd trimester
|
The ligaments supporting the
uterus tend to stretch during
pregnancy, giving rise to round
ligament pain. |
Dragging pain on one side only
or stabbing cramp-like pain
when you attempt to stand up
after sitting or lying down
for a while |
None. Since
the pains are spasmodic, painkillers
don't make sense. Hot water
bottle can be used to relax
muscles. |
Backache
All three trimesters
|
Progesterone
causes the ligaments especially
in the pelvic joints to soften
and stretch. Ligaments that
support the spine also relax,
placing strain on muscles, joints
of the lower spine, pelvis and
hips. Bad posture aggravates
the pain. |
Lower
back ache. Sacroiliac pain across
the top of the buttocks and
this extends down into them. |
Good posture,
exercises meant for strengthening
the spine; avoid high heels
- choose shoes with moderate
heels. Sleep on firm mattress.
Avoid lifting heavy objects.
Massage may help. Consult doctor
if pain travels down your leg.
|
Bleeding
gums
All three trimesters
|
Pregnancy hormones
cause the gums to thicken and
soften - increased blood flow
leads to swelling especially
around the teeth. Food tends
to collect at the base of the
teeth causing tooth decay and
gum infection.(gingivitis) |
Brushing,
hard foods cause the tender
gums to bleed easily. Gingivitis
worsens the bleeding. |
Oral hygiene
is important; brush teeth esp.
after eating. Dental visits
are important; your dentist
should be informed about your
condition to avoid possible
x-rays. |
Constipation
All three trimesters
|
Progesterone
causes the intestinal muscles
to relax and in turn slows down
bowel movements. Bowel contents
dry out and this causes stools
to harden and painful to pass. |
Pain
in the lower abdomen; infrequent
hard stools |
Whenever you
feel like emptying your bowels,
obey the call. Take plenty of
fiber rich foods and lots of
fluids, preferably water. Avoid
laxatives. Regular exercises
help as well. |
Cramps
3rd trimester
|
Thought
to be due to low levels of calcium
and in extreme cases due to
lack of salt. |
Extreme
pain in the legs, enough to
wake you from your sleep. A
shooting pain followed by a
general ache |
Firm massage
for a couple of minutes. For
persistent cramps your doctor
may prescribe calcium tablets |
Cravings
All three trimesters
|
Thought
to be related to high levels
of progesterone |
Strong
desires for certain kinds of
food |
Indulge yourself
provided they are not full of
calories |
Fainting
1st and last trimester
|
Accumulation
of blood in the legs and feet
together with demands of the
uterus causes the brain to be
deprived of blood |
Dizziness,
unsteadiness and need to sit
or lie down |
Avoid standing
still for long periods. Keep
yourself cool in hot weather.
If you feel faintness coming
lie with your head flat and
feet elevated |
Flatulence
1st and last trimester
|
Eating
certain foods e.g. pulses. During
pregnancy the system is more
sluggish and the wind may be
more difficult to expel. |
Frequent
passing of gas, rumbling of
the tummy |
Avoid problem
foods. Peppermint and hot water
may help |
Hemorrhoids
(piles)
2nd and 3rd trimester
|
Pressure
in the pelvis from baby's head
may obstruct the blood vessels
in the rectum causing the veins
around the rectum to balloon.
Anything that increases pressure
in the abdomen like constipation,
chronic coughing, lifting will
worsen the problem |
Itching,
soreness, severe pain when passing
stools, slight blood if the
hemorrhoid is large and prolapses
outside the rectum |
A diet high
in roughage, plenty of fluids,
exercises are preventive measures
against constipation; minor
cases will improve after delivery
but if it persist you may need
creams. Keep the area clean;
if it itches badly apply an
ice pack |
Heartburn
3rd trimester
|
The
valve at the stomach entrance
relaxes causing the small amounts
of acids into the oesophagus
|
Burning
sensation behind the breast
bone and sometimes regurgitation
of sour fluids |
Avoid problem
foods and late snack or meal.
Prop yourself up in bed and
try a warm milk drink. Antacid
may be prescribed |
Incontinence
3rd trimester
|
Pressure
of the enlarging uterus on the
bladder, thus reducing its capacity
and the inability of the pelvic
floor muscles to stop leakage. |
Leakage
of urine when you increase pressure
within the abdomen e.g. when
you laugh or bend down or cough |
Empty your
bladder often, avoid heavy lifting
and constipation |
Insomnia
All three trimesters
|
The
general increase in metabolism.
Baby may kick you night and
day. Perspiration and frequent
urination may also wake you
up. |
Difficulty
going to sleep or getting back
to sleep after waking |
Wear light
clothes to avoid overheating.
Hot milk or warm bath, a good
book may all help |
| Itching
2nd & 3rd trimester |
Itching
is common and is caused by increased
blood supply to the skin; troublesome
or generalized itching in the
later stages of pregnancy can
be due to dangerous liver problem
(obstetric cholestasis) |
Obstetric
cholestasis causes generalized
itching, dark urine, pale stools,
jaundice |
Close medical
care is essential - involving
regular scanning, cardiographs,
blood tests, placental blood
flow scans. Early delivery is
thought to be vital (ard 37-38
weeks) |
Morning
sickness
1st trimester
|
Sudden
high levels of hormones HCG
in particular; its production
closely parallels the time of
nausea. A diet before conception
that is low in vitamins, minerals
and carbohydrates increases
the chances of morning sickness.
Tiredness contributes to this
feeling too. |
Feelings
of nausea at the sight and smell
of food or cigarette smell;
accompanied by vomiting |
Eat small frequent
meals. Avoid getting exhausted.
Suck peppermints, nibble dry
fruits or dry crackers, keep
up your fluid intake. |
| |
| Nasal
discomfort All three trimesters
|
Oedema
3rd trimester
|
Fluid
retention in the lower parts
of your body and fingers. Pressure
of the uterus on the blood vessels
that carry blood back to the
heart from the lower parts of
the body. Can be associated
with preeclampsia |
Swelling
of hands and ankles; shoes feel
tight and fingers may feel stiff
in the mornings |
Avoid standing
too much in hot weather. Rest
with your legs up during the
day. Avoid food with high salt
content. Those with severe condition
may be restricted from taking
salt and may have to use diuretics
to get rid of excess fluid. |
Pelvic
discomfort
3rd trimester
|
Baby's
head presses upon nerves causing
pain in the groin especially
when the head is engaged in
the pelvic cavity at the end
of the pregnancy |
Pain
in the groin especially after
walking or some exercise. Pins
and needles spreading down the
back of legs |
Rest and avoid
violent exercise. Consult your
doctor before taking any analgesic
such as paracetemol |
Pigmentation
2nd & 3rd trimester
|
Increased
production of melanocyte stimulating
hormone. Exposure to strong
sunlight worsens things |
Darkening
around the nipple area, down
the center of abdomen, deepening
of birthmarks, mask across the
face and down the sides |
Use sunblock
when you are in the sun. avoid
bleaching skin; pigmentation
will fade shortly after birth |
Rashes
3rd trimester
|
Excess
weight gain, poor hygiene and
perspiration in the skin folds |
Red
skin rash occurs in the heavy
folds of skin. Usually occurs
under heavy breasts or in groin
areas |
Keep the areas
clean; apply calamine lotion
and dust with talcum powder
after baths. |
Shortness
of breath
3rd trimester
|
Pressure
on diaphragm prevents easy breathing.
Lying down can also push the
uterus and bay up against the
diaphragm. |
Shortness
of breath on exertion. |
Rest in the
day and go to bed early. If
breathlessness is accompanied
by pain or swelling consult
your physician. |
Stretch
marks
2nd and 3rd trimester
|
Depends
on your skin type and its elasticity.
Nevertheless this can occur
regardless because of excess
weight gain |
Silver
marks on the thighs, abdomen
and breasts |
Creams and
ointments have little effect.
Eventually the marks fade but
don't totally disappear. Avoid
excess weight gain |
Sweating
2nd and 3rd trimesters
|
Increased
blood supply causes the blood
vessels beneath skin to dilate |
Intense
perspiration after walking or
some light exercise |
Wear light
cotton clothes and underwear.
Drink plenty fluids. |
Taste
disturbances
All three trimesters
|
Related
to hormonal changes |
Metallic
taste; appreciation of certain
foods changes - food becomes
less palatable. Increased preference
for sweets |
None. |
Thrush
All three trimesters
|
Yeast
infection of the vagina. Reason
for it being common in pregnancy
is not known. Can affect baby's
mouth at birth |
Thick,
white curdy discharge accompanied
by intense itchiness. Pain when
passing urine |
Antifungal
creams and pessary prescription
- infection clears up in 2-3
days. If baby gets it, course
of medicines will clear it up
quickly. Avoid tight underpants |
Tiredness
All three trimesters
|
Tension,
insomnia, poor nutrition and
the sheer burden of carrying
your baby plus taking care of
both of you. |
Desire
to sleep at odd times, in need
of more rest in the nights.
Leg pain in the later part of
pregnancy |
Avoid overactivity.
Sleep and rest wherever possible.
Eat nutritious meals frequently
and in small portions to keep
your energy levels up |
UTI
All three trimesters
|
High
level of progesterone causes
muscles to slacken and relax,
predisposing the bladder to
infection |
Frequent
urge to pee accompanied by pain
and discomfort. Dull discomfort
at the lower abdomen; blood
in the urine |
Drink plenty
of water. Your doctor will prescribe
anti-infective to cure you of
this infection. |
Vaginal
discharge
All three trimesters
|
Increased
blood supply; softening and
thickening of the mucous membranes
result in a normal increase
of discharge. Brown or yellow
discharge could be cervical
erosion. Heavy or smelly discharge
could be caused by an STD. |
Slight
increase over normal of the
clear white discharge with no
soreness, pain or irritation.
Discolored or smelly discharge. |
If discharge
is above normal mucous, don't
worry. Don't douche or use deodorant;
wear cotton underwear and change
it often. If it is smelly, discolored
or has blood spots inform your
doctor. |
Varicose
veins
All three trimesters
|
Family
history may mean you develop
them too. Baby's head pressing
down on pelvic veins, standing
for long periods, sitting with
tightly crossed legs, excess
weight gain all contribute to
this problem. |
Skin
becomes irritated or itchy followed
by dull aching pain. Veins start
to appear as dark purplish lines
on the legs. |
Avoid standing
too long. Wear support stockings.
Lie down with your feet raised;
sleep with your feet on pillow.
Exercise for circulation in
your legs and feet. |
Visual
disturbances
All three trimesters
|
Fluid
retention; if contact lenses
feel different, this is due
to change in eyeball shape |
Long
or short sightedness may develop,
contact lenses may be uncomfortable
to wear |
Visit an optician
if you feel different; you may
have to discontinue using contact
lenses |
