maternity
I
f you’re newly pregnant, congratulations! Your body is
about to go through some pretty amazing changes. As
your hormone levels (estrogen and progesterone) rise
during this time, they are working to create a suitable
environment for your baby’s growth and development.
Along with that, and as your body adjusts to pregnancy,
you will experience some normal and common symptoms,
some of which may leave you feeling uncomfortable
at times.
Below, you’ll find some common discomforts than many
women can experience during any stage of their pregnancy
and some suggestions to help relieve them. As every
pregnancy is unique, you may not experience all of these
symptoms or experience them differently. If you notice any
changes that concern you, speak to your doctor.
#1. Morning sickness
This is one of the most well-known side effects of
pregnancy. But despite its name, nausea and vomiting
can often occur throughout the day and not just in
the morning. It can be made worse in women carrying
twins, or with a concomitant urinary tract infection or
thyroid disease. In severe cases, if morning sickness
can’t be relieved with medications, some women may
be admitted to hospital for rehydration and intravenous
anti-emetics.
Relief suggestions:
• Eat small and frequent meals of dry, low-fat, carbohydrate-
rich foods.
• Avoid strong seasonings and spices.
• Drink plenty of fluids (but not caffeinated drinks) by
sipping throughout the day.
• Get adequate rest.
• Stay in places with good air ventilation.
#2. Heartburn
During pregnancy, heartburn is another common complaint.
This occurs because of the progesterone hormone relaxing
the stomach’s opening, allowing stomach acids to come
back up and cause a burning sensation.
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Relief suggestions:
• Drink plenty of fluids
• Sometimes, warmer drinks are preferred to colder drinks
to relieve symptoms.
• Maintain an active lifestyle with regular exercise.
• Eat adequate amounts of food high in fibre like fruits
and vegetables.
#4. Dizziness
Although more common in the first trimester, the feeling of
dizziness can happen throughout the whole of pregnancy.
This is due to your body diverting more blood to the growing
baby and uterus (womb).
Relief suggestions:
• Avoid crowded, poorly ventilated places and standing
for prolonged periods of time.
• When getting up from a sitting or lying position to standing,
do so slowly.
• Take healthy snacks throughout the day to prevent low
blood sugar.
• Avoid lying on your back from the second trimester onwards.
• Wear loose, comfortable clothing.
If the dizziness is associated with palpitations, be sure to
inform your doctor as soon as possible as the combination of
both can indicate a more serious, underlying health condition.
#5. Swollen ankles, hands and fingers
During pregnancy, your body tends to hold more water than
usual. As a result, many women will experience swelling in
their body (particularly towards the end of pregnancy and a
few days after delivery).
Your feet and ankles are the most common areas to
be swollen, but you can also experience it in your hands,
wrists and fingers. Occasionally, swelling in the wrist
may manifest as carpal tunnel syndrome with numbness
of the palm and fingers, but this usually resolves itself
after pregnancy.
Relief suggestions:
• Eat small, low-fat meals frequently.
• Try avoiding spicy food.
• Avoid lying down after eating and wear loose-fitting clothing.
Some women may need antacids to relieve the
symptoms, despite adherence to these suggestions. Relief suggestions:
• Avoid prolonged standing and wear non-restrictive shoes.
• Put your feet up to rest when possible.
• Do foot exercises regularly to get the blood circulating
If you have sudden swelling of your face or limbs, or if your
swelling is worrying you, it’s important to inform your doctor as
soon as possible. These symptoms are a common symptom
of a pregnancy condition called pre-eclampsia, which presents
as swelling, high blood pressure, and protein in the urine.
#3. Constipation
Constipation can affect up to half of all pregnant women.
It’s usually caused by the progesterone hormone slowing
down bowel movements in pregnant women, leading to
constipation symptoms. #6. Haemorrhoids
This symptom usually occurs towards the end of pregnancy
and after vaginal delivery as the enlarged uterus (womb) puts
increasing pressure on the pelvis. Unfortunately, constipation
can worsen haemorrhoids.
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