maternity
Relief suggestions:
• Wash perineal area gently using plain water.
• Avoid douches, perfumed soaps, bubble baths, creams and
feminine hygiene products that could cause further irritation.
• Rinse the perineal area with water after urination.
• Wear pure cotton underwear and loose-fitting clothing.
• Avoiding the use of fabric softeners that can also cause
irritation to the area.
The discharge should be clear, white and not smell
unpleasant. If you are experiencing troubling symptoms,
you should be proactive and speak to your doctor to relieve
any concerns.
Relief suggestions:
• Eat foods high in fibre like fruits, vegetables and
whole grains.
• Drink adequate amounts of fluids to avoid constipation.
• Apply topical creams to haemorrhoids to relieve pain
and swelling.
Haemorrhoids will usually subside after delivery, but
in some cases they may continue to be uncomfortable,
necessitating surgery.
#7. Incontinence
Pregnancy will cause your body to create more urine,
and along with the weight of the growing baby, this puts
increasing pressure on your bladder. This, in combination
with the hormones relaxing your pelvic floor muscles, will
cause you to urinate more frequently and can result in you
sometimes losing control over your bladder (aka incontinence).
Relief suggestions:
• Perform pelvic floor exercises to strengthen the muscles.
• Avoid excessive weight gain.
• Avoid constipation.
• Train your bladder by going to the toilet at increasingly
prolonged intervals.
• Avoid caffeinated drinks, which will act as a diuretic.
If you are leaking, be sure to actually check it is urine!
Otherwise, it can be your waters prematurely breaking.
#8. Perineal and vaginal itchiness
During pregnancy, most women will experience more
vaginal discharge. This could lead to many experiencing
vaginal itching as the excess discharge can cause irritation
of the skin.
#9. Itchy skin rash
Hormonal changes during pregnancy can also make your
skin more prone to rashes and acne. Usually, this is more
pronounced towards the third trimester – affecting areas
such as the tummy, legs and buttocks. Women with stretch
marks may also find that an itchy rash follows the pattern
of the stretch marks. Most rashes should resolve once the
pregnancy is over.
Relief suggestions:
• Apply topical emollients to help relieve the rash (in severe
cases, may require topical steroids).
• Wear loose cotton clothing (preferably white to avoid
irritation from colour dyes).
• Avoid scratching (it worsens the itchiness and can lead
to infection).
If you are experiencing itchiness that’s not associated
with a rash around the third trimester, inform your doctor
immediately. It could be related to a rare condition called
obstetric cholestasis (a disorder that affects your liver).
Further, if your rash has vesicles (sac or cyst), you
should contact your clinic and try avoiding contact with
other pregnant women until herpes zoster or chickenpox is
ruled out.
#10. Pubic bone pain
You may experience some pain around your pubic bone,
usually towards the end of your pregnancy. This is usually due
to the hormones causing your pubic bone ligament to relax,
allowing the bone to move excessively. Usually, you’ll feel
pain around the pubic bone when you’re lifting your legs to
walk up the stairs or turning in bed. In severe cases, it can be
painful to walk even on level ground.
Relief suggestions:
• Pelvic floor exercises can help strengthen those muscles.
• Avoid heavy lifting and pushing.
• Wear a pelvic support belt.
• Sleep with a pillow between your legs to minimise pelvic
movement when lying on your side.
• Get in and out of bed with your legs together and flexed.
Spring 2020
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