8 Common Pregnancy Woes And How To Beat Them

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A mother’s joy knows no bounds when a doctor confirms a baby is on the way. However, with the immeasurable euphoria may come quite a number of unpredictable and unpleasant surprises due to hormonal changes as the foetus grows. Find out ways of dealing with fatigue, morning sickness, heartburn, backaches and other common pregnancy woes. The nine months course can indeed be less hassle for you.

YOUR BODY	WHY YOU DO	BEAT IT	CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IF
Nausea and vomiting	“Morning sickness” can occur anytime of the day and may not disappear after the first three months of pregnancy as generally speculated. It is caused by your body’s response to increased levels of the pregnancy hormone, human chronic gonadotrophin (hCG).	Eat six small meals a day instead of three main meals. Eat crackers before getting out of bed in the morning. Drink plenty of fluids at intervals. Avoid drinking too much at once. Include bananas, rice, ginger or peppermint tea in your diet. Taking vitamin B6 may also help.	Your nausea and vomiting makes it impossible to keep any food or liquid down, you notice drastic weight loss, vomit blood, have reduced urine output or dark urine.
Constipation	Experts say taking iron supplements may cause infrequent bowel movements, and pregnancy hormones in your body can reduce the speed of digestion by channelling resources to your baby. In addition, near the end of pregnancy, the pressure that the uterus exerts on the rectum can increase bowel problems.	Drink plenty of liquids. Minimum of 6-8 glasses per day. Opt for a fibre rich diet, eating plenty of legumes (beans, lentils), fresh fruits, vegetables, whole-grain bread and bran cereals. Go for a long walk. Light exercise aids digestion. 4. Ask your doctor to run a blood test to be sure you really need iron supplements.	Talk to your doctor if these measures prove abortive. Don’t take laxatives during pregnancy. Note also that self- prescription may escalate the situation. Take only drugs certified suitable by your doctor.
Heartburn and Indigestion	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. Indigestion is caused by slower-than-normal digestion during pregnancy, resulting into bloating.	Swap three large meals a day for five or six smaller ones. Avoid foods likely to slow down your system. Don’t eat or drink close to bedtime. Aim for 2 hours before bedtime or taking any medication and don’t lie down right after meals. Sleep with your head propped up on a few extra pillows. Drink plenty of liquids between meals.	If these do not give relief, ask your doctor about taking antacids.
Backache	The extra pounds you are carrying put a lot of stress on your back muscles. Many women adopt a swayback posture to offset the additional weight they are carrying. Stretched and weakened abdominal muscles also contribute.	Sleep on your side on a firm mattress. Tuck a pillow between your legs for added back support. Wear low heels with good arch support instead. Get off your feet whenever possible. Sit in a comfortable chair and put your feet up on a stool. Apply a heating pad or warm water bottle to ease the pain. Ask your partner to give you a massage, get one from a professional if affordable. You may also invest in a massage chair. The benefits of these to you and your baby are enormous.	If you have severe back pain that doesn’t go away or gets worse, don’t keep mum. It could be a sign of a kidney infection or preterm labour, so see your doctor.
Swelling	Don’t brood over this. Swelling of the hands, face, legs, ankles, and feet is normal. It’s caused by the extra fluid that is retained in your body during pregnancy. It could be worse in the third trimester.	Sit with your feet up often, and sleep with your legs propped up on pillows to keep fluids from building up in your feet. Drink plenty of water. Change positions frequently. Avoid sleeping on your back in late pregnancy.	If you have excessive swelling that causes great discomfort or a sudden swelling in your face or hands, contact your doctor. This could be a symptom of pre-eclampsia.
Fatigue	Feelings of fatigue are common, especially in the first trimester. During your first trimester, your heart rate goes up because the volume of blood pumped through your heart increases, causing you to feel a lot more tired than you usually are.	Keep your stress levels low and get plenty of “me” time. Daily catnaps, a nutritious diet and gentle exercises like pregnancy yoga or pilate can help curb exhaustion. Don’t panic. Expect energy boosts as the pregnancy progresses, usually from about 12 weeks upwards.	If you feel so tired that you are unable to lift a finger, you should seek a doctor’s evaluation.
Hemorrhoids	Painful, itchy varicose veins in the rectal area are caused by the extra blood present in the pelvic area and the pressure of the uterus on the veins.	Avoid constipation by drinking plenty of fluids and eating a high-fiber diet. Avoid gaining too much weight. Don’t exceed the recommended range (ask your doctor). Move around instead of standing still or sitting for long periods of time. Apply ice packs or witch hazel pads to affected area to relieve pain and reduce swelling. Soak hemorrhoids in water few times a day.	Hemorrhoids may improve during your pregnancy but straining during labour can bring them back. Ask your doctor what treatment options are safe for you.
Headaches	If you are normally prone to headaches, you may experience worse ordeals in the early weeks of pregnancy. This is triggered by an influx of an hormone called oestrogen.	Drink plenty of fluids and eat small but regular portions. Take time to relax. Stress and fatigue can also trigger headaches or make them worse. Stay hydrated, get plenty of fresh air and cut down on caffeine. Apply lavender essential oils on your forehead to ease the pain.	Talk to your doctor if these measures do not offer any relief.