Common Problems in Pregnancy2

COMMON PROBLEMS IN PREGNANCY

Common Problems in pregnancy part 2

Heartburn

Heartburn is more than just indigestion. It is strong, burning pain in the chest. This conditions caused by the valve between your stomach and the tube leading to your stomach relaxing in pregnancy, so that stomach acid passes into the tube.

What can you do?

• Try to sleep well.
• For a few hours before you go to sleep, avoiding eating or drinking.
• Ask the doctor.

Itching

This condition usually happens in pregnancy because of the increased blood supply to the skin. In late pregnancy the skin of the abdomen is stretched and this may also cause itchiness.

What can you do?

• You can wear loose clothing.
• Ask the doctor if itching becomes severe or continue into more serious problems.

Passing water often

This condition happens in first trimester of pregnancy stages. But for some women, it can continue right trough pregnancy. In third trimester it usually happens too, because of the baby’s head pressing on the bladder.

What can you do?

• Try cutting out drinks in the late evening.
• Ask the doctor if you have any pain while passing water, or pass any blood. Its means that you may have a urine infection which will need treatment.

Cramp

Cramp is a sudden, sharp pain, usually in your calf muscles or feet. This condition usually happens at night, but nobody really knows what causes it.

What can you do?

• Pull your toes hard up towards your ankle or rub the muscle hard.
• Gentle exercise in pregnancy, particularly ankle and leg movements, will improve your circulation and may help to prevent cramp occurring.

Nose bleeds

This condition happens because of hormonal changes. The nosebleed can be short or quite heavy.

What can you do?

You can press the sides of your nose together between your thumb and forefinger just below the bony part of your nose for ten minutes. If this effort unsuccessful, repeat again for a further ten minutes.

Skin and hair changes

Hormonal changes taking place in pregnancy will make your nipples and the area around them go darker. Your skin color may also darken a little, either in patches or all over. Birthmarks, moles and freckles may darken too. Others develop a dark line running down the middle of their stomachs.

What can you do?

• You should not stay in the sun for very long.
• Protect your skin with a good, high-factor sunscreen.

Feeling hot in pregnancy

Many pregnant women are feeling hot in pregnancy. This condition is due to hormonal changes and to an increase in blood supply to the skin.

What can you do?

• Keep your room cool, consider using an electric fan.
• Wash frequently to stay fresh.
• Wear loose clothing made of natural fibre, as these are more absorbent and ‘breathe’ more than synthetic fibre.

Piles

Piles are swollen veins around the back passage which may itch, ache or feel sore. This condition happens in pregnancy because the veins relax under the influence of pregnancy hormones.

What can you do?

• Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Avoid standing for long periods.
• To improve your circulation, you can take regular exercise.

Sleeplessness

Some pregnant women can be very difficult to get a good night’s sleep, it’s usually happens in the last trimester of pregnancy stages. You may have strange dreams or nightmares about the baby and the birth.

What can you do?

• Find friends or talk to husband and parents about it, it can make you calm down.
• Relaxation and breathing which are taught in antenatal classes might be helpful.

Teeth and gums

Bleeding gums are caused by build-up of plaque (bacteria) on the teeth. The teeth and gums may become swollen and bleed more easily in pregnancy.

What can you do?

• Clean your teeth.
• Avoid having sugary drinks and foods too often.

• Ask your dentist to solve this problem.

Stretch marks

These are pink or purplish lines which usually occur on the tummy or sometimes on the upper thighs or breast. Not all pregnancy women get them, it depends on your skin type.

What can you do?

• You can try to take with oils or cream to prevent stretch marks.
• After your baby is born the marks should gradually pale and become less noticeable, so not to worry about it.

Swollen ankles, fingers and feet

The body of pregnant women holds more water than usual, so that ankles, feet and fingers often swell a little in pregnancy.

What can you do?

• You can wear comfortable shoes.
• Avoid standing for long periods.
• Do foot exercises.
• Take a rest.

Vaginal discharge

Pregnant women usually have this situation. It should be clear and white and it should not smell unpleasant.

What can you do?

• Try to wear loose cotton underwear.

• Ask the doctor if the discharge is colored or smells strange, or if you feel itchy or sore. It means you have a vaginal infection.

Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are veins which have become swollen. The veins in the legs are most commonly affected. You can also get varicose veins in the vulva (vaginal opening).

What can you do?

• Don’t standing for long periods of time.
• Try not to put on too much weight as this increases the pressure.
• Sit with your legs up as often as you can to ease the discomfort.
• Try sleeping with your legs higher than the rest of your body.
• Do exercises which can help your circulation, such as walking, cycling and swimming.