Pregnancy
Common problems during pregnancy and some
tips to alleviate them
Mark Littlejohn
Being pregnant should be one of the happiest times of
your life with all the expectations and dreams for the
future. However, there are a number of some symptoms
of pregnancy that can make this time quite uncomfortable.
Here are a few of the more common:
Morning sickness affects up to 70% of pregnant women.
This includes nausea, and sometimes vomiting, especially
in the morning (hence its name). You might go off certain
foods because the smell makes you feel queasy. The exact
cause of morning sickness is unknown, but it is thought
to be hormonal in nature. The good news is that the
symptoms tend to disappear after the first three months.
Up to 50% of pregnant women will suffer from constipation.
Increases in the level of progesterone, plus increased
absorption of water in the colon are to blame for this.
Again this problem is more likely to occur in the first
3 months of pregnancy, though constipation can be a
problem at any time. You doctor will likely supply you
with fibre supplements, but consider taking a mild laxative
like milk of magnesia (consult your doctor first about
this). Also, it is advisable to drink plenty of fluids,
as this will help alleviate the constipation.
Backache is obviously going to be a major problem.
With a developing baby pushing your abdomen out, and
forward, greater stresses are placed on your spine.
An increase in the hollow at the base of the spine as
the baby develops also causes problems. Try avoid lifting
heavy weights during pregnancy, and also make sure you
have good support from your mattress. You can buy a
support belt that lifts the abdomen and encourages better
posture. These belts are safe, and can eliminate back
pain.
Another common problem is fatigue. Its not surprising
really considering the enormous stress you are putting
on your circulatory system to ensure your developing
baby gets the nutrients it needs to grow. The best advice
for fatigue is to get plenty of rest. Take naps, and
go to bed early.
Another problem affecting over 50% of pregnant women
is heartburn. This is caused by acid in your stomach
travelling back up your oesophagus (the tube connecting
your mouth to your stomach). Although hormones can cause
heartburn, as pregnancy develops, your uterus enlarges
and pushes your stomach out of position. This is then
thought to contribute to heartburn. The best advice
to help with this problem is eat smaller meals more
often (so your stomach is never really full), and drink
plenty of fluids. Also avoid coffee.
About the author:
Another problem that can affect pregnant women is pre-eclampsia.
To read more about his serious problem, and how to spot
it, read http://www.onetwentyovereighty.com/news/preeclampsia-during
-pregnancy.htm.
*The opinions and assertions of these authors
are in no way associated with or verified by Tuxedo
Pharmacy. As always, these articles are provided for
information purposes only and should not be used as
a substitute for medical care. Consult you doctor about
your specific medical conditions. For more informational
articles addressing everyday health concerns, visit
www.goarticles.com.
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