7 Common Upsets During Pregnancy & What To Do

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For a lot of women, pregnancy comes with a variety of unexpected upsets and behavioural changes that often make the nine-month period a rollercoaster. From constipation, varicose veins, skin changes, short attention span to heartburn and so on, find sure-fire ways to manage the situation for a more pleasant pregnancy experience…

1. Constipation. This is common throughout pregnancy as pregnancy hormones may reduce the usual rate of digestion. During the later stages of pregnancy, the uterus may also push against the large intestine, making it difficult for waste to be eliminated at the usual rate.

Opt for a fibre rich diet by eating plenty of legumes (beans, lentils), fresh fruits, vegetables, wholegrain bread and cereals, drink lots of fluids and exercise regularly. Light exercises like walking may aid digestion.

Note that taking iron supplements may cause infrequent bowel movements, so, if you are taking one and constantly battling constipation, talk to your doctor about appropriate medications to offer some relief. Avoid self prescription.

2. Short attention span. Due to hormonal changes and anxiety about baby’s impending arrival, you may be unable to concentrate sometimes and have periods of forgetfulness. It’s common to become impatient, skip your doctor’s appointments and sometimes forget to use prescribed medications.

You can manage this by making a to-do list to help you remember dates and appointments. Consult your list from time to time, place drugs and other essentials in strategic positions, and engage in exercises that can boost your concentration level such as yoga. See more useful tips here.

3. Varicose veins. These are usually found on the legs and genital areas and they occur when blood pools in veins are enlarged by pregnancy hormones. Symptoms often vary but often include aches or discomfort in the legs, swelling of the ankles, lumps under the skin with blue or purple colouring and itchy or restless legs.

Varicose veins often disappear after pregnancy but you can reduce them by doing the following:

*Not standing or sitting for a long period of time.

*Wearing loose-fitting clothing and support hose.

*Engaging in regular exercises such as walking.

*Maintaining a healthy weight.

*Wedging your back with a pillow when you sit.

*Not crossing your legs when seated, and putting your feet up whenever you can.

4. Skin changes. Research has shown that most women’s skin darken during pregnancy. These dark patches may clear 6-8 weeks post-delivery.

Typically, most pregnant women also experience pigmentation on the face, stomach and neck areas, a dark line across the bump, a glowing or rough and dry skin, acne and pimples, itchy or flaky skin and stretch marks. All these usually improve postpartum, so, there’s no need to worry. In the meantime, keep your skin well moisturized. Some mums say applying shea butter really helps.

Avoid the use of skin toners that contain chemicals such as bleaches or depilatories which could be absorbed into the bloodstream. Use recommended creams to avoid or reduce stretch marks and limit sun exposure.

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5. The nesting instinct. Some pregnant women develop the sudden urge and energy to constantly clean and organize the house in preparation for baby’s arrival without getting fatigued. Others experience a sudden interest to do new things or complete old projects.

There’s equally need to manage this sudden burst of energy, so, if you experience this, try to do a little at a time to sustain your energy level and avoid lifting heavy objects. Avoid inhaling paint and cleaning chemicals or detergent fumes.

6. Mood swings. These tend to be more common during the first trimester and towards the end of the third trimester. You may be happy this minute and cry endlessly the next, get easily frustrated, overreact to issues or be easily irritated.

You can manage mood swings by reducing and managing stress, eating a nutrient-rich diet, engaging in regular exercise such as yoga and swimming, avoiding intake of foods or drinks containing caffeine, indulging in activities that help you relax and have fun, and leaning on your spouse, family and friends for support.

7. Heartburn. Heartburn occurs when the pregnancy hormone, relaxin, causes the muscle valve between the stomach and esophagus to relax. When this happens, stomach acids cause a burning feeling in the throat and chest.

To relieve symptoms, swap three large meals a day for five or six smaller ones, avoid foods likely to slow down your metabolism, don’t eat, drink or take any medications two hours before bedtime and avoid lying down right after meals.

In addition, sleep with your head propped up on a few extra pillows. See more tips here.

Ask your doctor about taking antacids if nothing helps.