How to deal with discomfort during pregnancy

Pregnancy for each individual woman varies in different ways, therefore, it should be noted that some of the conditions described in this article may never appear in you. The best solution is to consult with your obstetrician / gynecologist regarding any kind of pain or discomfort that you experience during pregnancy.

[1]

What happens to the breast?

Most pregnant women will feel that their breasts are changing: increases in size as the mammary glands and fatty tissues increase. In the first few months of pregnancy, the breast becomes slightly swollen, sensitive. With increased blood flow to the chest, blue veins can appear on it. Nipples swell and darken, colostrum can be released from them. All these changes are absolutely normal.

Advice:

• Wear breast-supporting underwear
• Choose bras from cotton and other natural fabrics
• Buy larger bras with breast augmentation. Linen should be well matched to the size, do not cause irritation of the nipples. Buy special underwear for pregnant women: they better support the breast, they can be worn after childbirth.
• Try not to take off your clothes for the night - this will reduce discomfort and provide breast support.
• Put a cotton handkerchief or pillow in your bra that will absorb the colostrum. Special pads can be bought at the pharmacy. Regularly change the pads to avoid skin irritation. My chest only warm water, do not use soap and other similar products - they can cause dry skin.

Weakness

A growing child needs a lot of energy, which often leads to a loss of mother's strength. Weakness can also be a sign of anemia (a low level of iron in the blood), which occurs in many pregnant women.

Advice:

• Give plenty of time to rest, go to bed early and try to doze off during the day.
• Maintain a habitual way of life, however, try to reduce the level of activity a little, balance rest and periods of activity.
• Daily exercise.
• If you are worried that you suffer from anemia, consult a doctor. He will prescribe a blood test.
   

Nausea and vomiting

Nausea is the result of hormonal changes and worries a woman at an early stage of pregnancy, when the body gets used to increased hormone production. Nausea manifests itself in the first months of pregnancy, but by the fourth month, usually passes. Most often she worries in the morning when the stomach is still empty (morning sickness), or if the woman does not eat enough. Nausea can manifest at any time of the day.

Advice:

• If nausea worries in the morning, before getting up, eat dry foods - cereal breakfasts, toast or crackers. Or, try to have a bite at night with a product containing a large amount of protein - low-fat meat or cheese (protein is digested for a long time).
• Eat small meals every 2-3 hours, do not divide food intake into three large portions. Eat slowly, chew your food well.
• Drink fluids throughout the day, however, do not drink plenty of liquid at a time. We recommend cool, clarified fruit juices - apple or grape.
• Refuse from sharp, fried, fatty foods.
• If nausea is caused by odors, use products of low or room temperature in order to avoid the effects of odor.
• Consult your doctor about taking vitamin B6 and other medications.
• Seek medical attention if strong or persistent vomiting occurs - it can lead to dehydration, which requires immediate treatment.

Frequent urination

In the first trimester, the growing uterus and fetus pressure on the bladder, which leads to frequent urination. This will happen again in the third trimester, when the fetal head descends to the pelvic area before delivery.

Advice:

• Do not wear tight underwear, tight trousers or pantyhose.
• If you feel burning or tingling when you urinate, call your doctor. These symptoms may indicate an infection in the urinary tract, which requires treatment.

Headache

Headaches can be caused by stress, flushing, constipation, and in some cases late toxicosis of pregnant women.

Advice:

• Apply ice to the forehead and back of the neck.
• Rest - sit or lie down, muffle the light. Close your eyes and try to relax your back, neck, shoulders.
• The doctor should be consulted with nausea, which is accompanied by a headache, with an acute and prolonged headache, if you have a blurry vision, double in the eyes or appear white spots.

Bleeding and swelling of the gums

Increased production of certain hormones can cause sensation, swelling and bleeding of the gums.

Advice:

• Take care of your teeth: brush your teeth, paste and thread regularly.
• At an early stage of pregnancy, visit the dentist in order to check the condition of the teeth. If there is a problem, go to the dentist again.

[2], [3]

Constipation

Hormones, vitamins and iron can cause constipation (delayed, difficult or systematically insufficient defecation - bowel evacuation). The pressure of the uterus on the rectum can also cause constipation.

[4], [5], [6], [7]

Advice:

• Your diet should include a sufficient amount of fiber (unprocessed cereals, fresh fruits and vegetables).
• Drink plenty of liquid (minimum 6-8 glasses of water and 1-2 glasses of juice / compote), in the morning drink a warm life.
• Daily exercise.
• Choose the same time for defecation; do not strain with defecation.
• Consult your doctor about taking a laxative - on a plant-based or other drug.

[8]

Dizziness (weakness)

Dizziness can manifest itself at both early and any other stage of pregnancy. The hormone progesterone promotes the dilatation of the blood vessels, which leads to the inflow of blood to the legs. Moreover, the blood more actively enters the growing uterus. All this can lead to a decrease in blood pressure, especially when changing the posture, which leads to dizziness.

Weakness and dizziness can be caused by inadequate nutrition, for example, low blood sugar.

Advice:

• If you have to stand for a long time, try to walk and walk.
• Resting, lie down on your left side.
• Avoid sudden movements when getting up: rise slowly and carefully.
• Eat regularly to avoid reducing blood sugar.

[9], [10], [11], [12],

Sleep Disorders

In the late stages of pregnancy it can be hard to fall asleep due to discomfort.

Advice:

• Do not take sleeping pills.
• Before going to bed, drink warm milk.
• Before going to bed, take a warm bath or shower.
• Use pillows: lying on your side, put a pillow under your head, stomach, behind your back and between your knees to avoid straining your muscles. Most likely, the position lying on the left side will be more convenient than on the right: with it, blood circulation improves.

Heartburn and indigestion

Heartburn (a digestive disorder) is a burning sensation that manifests itself in the stomach and gradually rises to the throat. It occurs during pregnancy, because the digestive system is slower because of hormonal imbalance. The growing uterus can also press on the stomach, helping to raise the acid.

Advice:

• Eat small meals every 2-3 hours, do not divide food intake into three large portions.
• Eat slowly.
• Drink a warm liquid, for example, herbal tea.
• Refuse from fried, spicy and fatty foods, as well as from any other that causes digestive disturbances.
• Do not go to bed immediately after eating.
• The head of the bed should be higher than its lower edge. You can also put cushions under your shoulders so that stomach acid does not rise to your chest.
• Do not eat fatty and sweet foods at the same time. Liquid and solid foods should also be consumed separately.
• Take medications for heartburn, after consulting with your doctor.

Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids - an increase and soreness of hemorrhoids (folds of the mucous membrane of the anal canal); may occur due to increased blood circulation and the pressure of the growing fetus on the anal canal and vagina.

Advice:

• Try to prevent constipation, which can aggravate hemorrhoids and lead to more pain.
• Do not sit and do not stand for a long period of time; often change position.
• During defecation, do not strain.
• Apply ice to the affected area, take a warm bath several times a day in order to ease the pain.
• Do not wear tight and tight clothes, trousers and pantyhose.
• Consult with your doctor about the use of anti-hemorrhoids.