As amazing as it is, having a little human being grow inside of your body also puts a toll on what your body will experience throughout the pregnancy. Here are some things that are to be expected and how to manage them effectively.
Morning Sickness – Morning sickness is the first indication your body will give you that will indicate something has changed. As your hormones increase in your body, this causes nausea and sometimes vomiting or both. Some only have it as soon as they wake up, others during the day and it goes by late afternoon and yet others will have it the entire time they are awake!
- Begin by making sure that you are keeping hydrated throughout the day, but focus on drinking in between meals. Mixing liquids with food intake can sometimes increase the nausea.
- Keep crackers or some kind of dry cereal next to your bedside. Before even getting up, roll over and eat a few.
- Try to stay away from other drinks containing any sugars.
- Try to avoid foods that are fried and high in fats, sometimes spicy foods can also be a trigger.
- Try to eat several small meals that are more “healthy snacking” throughout the day and avoid an empty stomach.
Abdonminal pain – I recommend that you contact your provider if you experience abdominal pain. Sometimes, it is only the ligaments stretching to accommodate for a growing baby. Other times, it can be caused by your sciatic nerve. It is best to check and make sure you and baby are okay, but know that it does happen and it does not always mean something is wrong.
Back Pain – In pregnancy, you don’t usually experience back pain until your third trimester. You should always remember that you are now pregnant and practice safe bending and lifting. A pulled muscle is not what you need during pregnancy or worse.
- You can apply a warm towel to your back
- Make a DIY rice pack by filling up a clean sock with white rice(pre-heat it in the microwave for no more than 1 minute) and apply to the area for comfort.
- Simply sit down, I highly recommend getting a large yoga ball. *Please note to get a yoga ball according to your weight, yoga balls come in different sizes, make sure it can support your weight. Also, make sure you can touch the floor with your feet for balance. There are also yoga ball chairs. I still use mine at my desk, they are SO comfortable!!
- Rest and put your feet up, by placing some pillows under your feet
- Lie down with a pregnancy pillow. My personal favorite!
Vaginal Discharge – The key to this is that the discharge remain clear in color. It’s very normal and a part of pregnancy.
- Try using a panty liner to protect your underwear
- Make sure there are not other symptoms like a foul smell, pain, ichiness, etc. If so, please contact your provider.
- In the second and third trimester, you should not have brown or red in the mucus discharge. Either could be a sign of pre-labor or miscarriage, so please be aware of your body and what is not considered a part of a “normal” pregnancy.
Leg Cramps – In the second and third trimester, you may experience leg cramps or a “Charlie horse.” This is very normal, but not very fun when it happens in the middle of the night! The cause is due to the lack of circulation in your legs and it can also be due to the baby’s head sitting on just the right nerve.
- Simply massage the area and try to get your daily exercise of 30 minutes of walking, per day (10, 000 steps – minimal).
- Eat more bananas. Sometimes pregnant women become deficient in potassium and a banana is an easy fix to leg cramps.
- Begin stretching exercises by using a yoga mat (to avoid you slipping, if you have hard floors).
Constipation – No one wants to deal with this during pregnancy. Please remember to hydrate. Not only does it help clean out your kidneys, but it keeps you from getting constipated!
- The rule of thumb is: Take your weight and divide it in half. That number is the number of ounces of water you should be drinking – daily!
- My reminder is: Keep your urine clear. If it has yellow, you need to drink more water.
- Get used to hydrating because you will need to hydrate daily if you are expecting to breastfeed, as well.
Hemorrhoids – Constipation can lead to them. Hemorrhoids are varicose veins in the anus that can be very painful and can also feel like a cluster of blueberries (I know it is gross, but I am being real). They usually occur later in pregnancy. Consult your provider if you are in the shower washing yourself and feel something like the blueberry cluster. I know (don’t want to think about it!)
- You can apply an ice pack to the irritated and inflamed area
- I recommend making your own. Buy some large maxi pads without the wings. Buy and pour some Witch Hazel onto the pad and freeze it. Place the pad and use it more like a “G-String” and consult your Provider for any over the counter products to relieve any pain.
Insomnia – As you get into the latter part of pregnancy (third trimester) you should experience sleeping issues. This is a beautiful thing that God placed into our biology that only becomes “activated” in the third trimester. It is simply to prepare you for the lack of sleep you will have, once the baby is born.
Try using a pregnancy pillow. That’s it! Sorry! You are being prepared for Motherhood. If you don’t have one, simply get a large pillow and place it in between your legs as you lie on your left side, it should help alleviate lower back pain and discomfort.
Leaks – As the baby moves into different positions, there might be leaks (urine leakage). It is sometimes caused by the baby leaning on your bladder and it is out of your control. Coughing can cause an instantaneous occurrence, as well as sneezing.
- Continue doing your Kegel exercises, as this can help prevent it from happening.
- In your third trimester, use a sanitary pad if it becomes a regular occurrence.
Swollen Legs – Swollen legs occur because of water retention. You do not need to take any kind of water pill, this is a normal process of pregnancy. After the baby is born, your feet and ankles will go back to normal.
- Elevating your feet (if you work at a desk, prop them up at work). Do it often wherever you are.
- Have your husband or someone else give you a massage with some coconut oil. Any oil like almond, avocado, lavender etc. can be used. I simply like coconut because it leaves your skin feeling smooth and I like to use it with infant massage too.
- Avoid standing for long periods of time.
- Try using compression socks if it is during the winter. If it is during the summer (this one is unrealistic) only because you are already hotter than normal and the last thing you will want is to have compression socks! Trust me! Stick to elevating your feet and envision your feet going back to normal after birth because they will.
Headaches – The occasional headache will happen due to your changing hormones and your provider will be the one to tell you what you can take. I recommend making your own rice pack, heat it up in the microwave for one minute and place it behind your neck first, then if it persists, you can usually take an over the counter drug that contains acetaminophen ( no more than 500mg (please verify with your Doctor). In your third trimester, if you experience a headache that will not go away (even after taking a “safe” pain relief during pregnancy) please know that this is NOT normal. It will be accompanied by blurry vision and possibly fever. If this occurs, please go to triage because it could be a sign of preeclampsia or a more serious issue. If you have Preeclampsia, you will also have a swollen face and fingers, possible nausea/vomiting, high blood pressure (thus the headache) and weight gain. Always check your weight daily to see that you don’t have a sudden rise of 5 pounds or more in a day. Dehydration could also be the culprit, make sure that you are hydrated. To know the right amount of water intake, weigh yourself and divide by 2. This is how many ounces you need to be drinking, plus your urine should be clear. Prenatal massage is another way to cope, have your husband, partner, friend or family member use some virgin coconut oil and massage away the discomfort!
Pain When Urinating – This is NOT usually normal in pregnancy, so please contact your Provider for an appointment. This could be a sign of a urinary tract infection. Your Provider will be able to test a urine sample and determine that. An infection could lead to miscarriage or kidney infection, so tending to this as soon as it is detected is important.
–Tiredness – You will feel tired at the beginning of your pregnancy and in the last trimester. You’re carrying a human being! It’s going to take a lot of energy out of you, but remember, it’s your precious little one in there!
Take breaks to sit down and rest. If you go up a flight of stairs, expect to get out of breath. This is due to how you are carrying your baby. You will notice that when you are towards the end of your pregnancy, your baby will drop and you will not get as winded as before because your baby is now in place and your lungs have more room to breathe again. If your break doesn’t cut it, you could be Anemic, check with your Provider.
Heartburn – Heartburn is going to be more likely to occur in your third trimester. It will feel like burning in your chest.
- Stay away from really rich foods, fatty foods and spicy foods (if they cause it).
- Try to be active after eating to help bring your meal down, don’t take a nap after you eat.
- Tums are a common anti-acid that are allowed and safe in pregnancy, but when in doubt, contact your Provider.
Hang in there ladies! Yes, it can be challenging at times, but when you hold your little one and look into their eyes, it will be so worth it!
