Common discomforts of pregnancy

What you need to know is that no one tells you before getting pregnant, "Pregnancy is great, except when it's not!" A lot of strange things are happening to you during this wonderful time - come on, for God's sake, you are growing a person inside you - mainly because your hormones are everywhere. These hormonal changes can cause various pregnancy symptoms throughout the body. Here are seven common discomforts during pregnancy and how to overcome them:

Morning sickness

More than 60% of women experience morning sickness (and all day and night). Feeling the urge to vomit (nausea) is not uncommon. Every woman is different; some will only feel like throwing up, and some will actually vomit. Remarkably, researchers still can't pinpoint exactly what actually causes morning sickness.

Most women will only experience this allure in the first trimester, while others will feel like they're on a 5-star rollercoaster ride throughout their pregnancy. The good news is that some research shows that women with morning sickness are having babies with higher IQs… already feeling better?

How you can prevent or treat morning sickness:

Eat foods rich in protein. Protein helps relieve morning sickness.
Invest in products that contain ginger, which is clinically proven to reduce morning sickness and is safe for mom and baby. Whether it's ginger lozenges, ginger ale, ginger capsules, or ginger tea, ginger can help.
Be sure to take your daily dose of vitamin B6. Again, clinically proven to reduce nausea associated with morning sickness. It is recommended to take 25 mg up to three times a day to prevent vomiting! (Remember that the daily dose is 100 mg!)
Drink plenty of fluids. Keeping hydrated during this time can be challenging, but it's necessary and you'll feel better.
Don't get up too fast in the morning. Crouching too fast can throw your balance off...slowly and surely you win the race.
If you have severe morning sickness, also known as pregnancy hyperemesis, talk to your doctor about your options as you don't want to be dehydrated or malnourished as this can cause more serious problems. Your doctor may suggest an over-the-counter drug, anti-nausea medication, and/or a strict nutritional guide.

Lack of energy/lethargy/fatigue

Another common pregnancy symptom is the fatigue you feel, especially during the first and third trimesters. More than half of pregnant mothers suffer from this symptom. Most women want to find a secluded place where they can curl up and take a nap.

Let's not forget that your body is producing new hormones and making a lot of changes to get ready to create a human, it takes a lot of work! You also produce more blood to deliver nutrients to the baby, which puts more stress on the heart and other organs. Mental and emotional stress also causes you to feel exhausted.

In later pregnancy, you may have trouble sleeping due to frequent trips to the toilet, leg cramps, and heartburn.

Fatigue can be a symptom of anemia, especially iron deficiency. Your body needs iron to make hemoglobin, a substance in red blood cells that helps them carry oxygen to your tissues and to your baby. Your iron requirement doubles to 27mg during pregnancy due to the needs of the baby, the extra blood your body produces, and the blood loss that will occur during delivery. Most prenatal vitamins contain enough iron to meet this increased need (with the exception of chewing gum). To get enough iron, eat iron-rich foods such as red meat, poultry, fish (maximum 2-3 servings per week), dried beans, peas, iron-fortified cereals, and prune juice.

Limit your caffeine intake (the upper limit is 200 mg per day), what can you do to get through the day? Here are some tips to beat sleepiness!

How to avoid or treat fatigue during pregnancy?

To reduce lack of energy and fatigue during pregnancy:

If possible, take a few naps. We recommend Slumbar pillows, a durable pillow that provides great support.
Get up and walk to move!
Go to bed early, Mom!
Reduce the chance of urinating upon waking by drinking fluids early in the day and avoiding drinking at least 2 hours before bed.
Minimize nighttime heartburn by not eating right before bed (2-3 hours in advance).
Stretch your leg muscles before bed to avoid leg cramps, and include potassium-rich foods like bananas, peaches, kiwis, potatoes, and leafy greens in your diet.
Exercise unless advised by your doctor. It can improve your mood and energy levels. 30 minutes of walking 3+ times a week can help.
Try to eat every 3-4 hours and be sure to include carbohydrates, proteins and fats in every meal and snack.
Stick to fiber-rich carbohydrates (whole grains, starchy vegetables, fruits) and minimize sweets and refined grains.
Avoid caffeine if possible (200mg is considered the maximum per day).
Drink plenty of fluids, especially water.
Reduce stress. Don't be afraid to ask for help if you're overwhelmed. Talk to your doctor about resources - you can even try meditation!

Heartburn

The only burning sensation you should feel is from the extended triangle position during prenatal yoga! By the way, it can help relieve indigestion.

Heartburn during pregnancy is a problem that affects more than 50% of women, especially in the second and third trimesters. This is usually not a sign of a serious problem, but it can be quite unpleasant and even painful. Gastroesophageal reflux disease is often referred to as "acid reflux" or "heartburn".

Indigestion is also common during pregnancy and may be accompanied by heartburn. Indigestion, also known as indigestion, is another name for indigestion. If you feel full, gas, or bloated, you have an upset stomach!

Heartburn occurs when stomach acid from the stomach is pushed up the esophagus (the tube between the mouth and stomach). This causes a burning sensation behind the breastbone, or a feeling that starts in the abdomen and seems to rise. You may also have a bitter taste in your mouth or a feeling of vomiting coming up your throat (as we said, pregnancy is great, except when it's not!). Treating heartburn is important because heartburn often prevents you from eating properly because of the pain, and if you don't eat, your child isn't getting enough nutrition.

How to avoid or treat heartburn during pregnancy?

Eat 6 small meals throughout the day instead of 3 regular meals. This can prevent your stomach from becoming too full.
Don’t eat too close to bedtime (2-3 hours before)
Propping up your pillow to elevate your head above your stomach (gravity can help!). You can purchase a foam wedge that can get you at a good angle to avoid heartburn.
No spicy foods or other trigger foods such as chocolate, fried foods, and caffeine.
If you’ve tried other ways and nothing seems to work, there are antacids that are deemed safe to take. Before self-medicating, talk to your doctor to confirm what is safe. Calcium carbonate antacids are typically okay.

Constipation

Don't worry, you're not alone - over 70% of women experience this discomfort at some point during their pregnancy.

There are several different factors that cause constipation during pregnancy:

Thanks to your hormonal "every man for himself" your gastrointestinal tract slows down (relaxes) to help you absorb all the vitamins and minerals your new guest needs.
The expanding uterus presses on the surrounding intestines, causing further delays.

How to avoid or treat constipation during pregnancy?

Eat foods high in fiber. Try to do this from the beginning as a preventative measure. Good foods include split peas, black beans, lentils, lima beans, almonds, avocados, berries, oat bran muffins, oatmeal, and more.
Drink at least 8 glasses of water each day. Staying hydrated is a must to keep things moving along!
Take a pregnancy-safe probiotic to help maintain healthy digestion.
Get exercise! Gentle exercise can help get your bowels moving and your system regular.
Try a prenatal vitamin with special gentle iron to reduce the instance of constipation.

Insomnia

78% of women report having more disturbed sleep during pregnancy than at other times.

The term "insomnia" includes difficulty falling asleep and/or staying asleep.

Hormonal changes are one of the main causes of fatigue and sleep problems during pregnancy. These changes can have a depressant effect on the muscles, which can lead to snoring and, in obese women, increase the risk of sleep apnea. In addition, your new hormone levels may be partially responsible for frequent nighttime trips to little girls' bedrooms. These interruptions, as well as those caused by nausea, heartburn, and other pains associated with pregnancy, can lead to loss of sleep. The emotional turmoil and stress associated with the birth of a 7-9 kg person is also a cause of insomnia.

Some of the common sleep problems that occur or get worse during pregnancy are:

Insomnia
Restless legs syndrome
Sleep apnea
Nocturnal gastroesophageal reflux disease/heartburn

How to avoid or cure insomnia during pregnancy?

Plan and prioritize while you sleep.
Try to exercise for about 30 minutes a day, unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
Sleep on your left side to improve the flow of blood and nutrients to the fetus and kidneys, and avoid prolonged lying on your back.
Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day, especially water, and reduce your fluid intake 2 hours before bed.
Stop eating spicy, sour or fried foods and eat more often in small portions throughout the day.
Snoring is common during pregnancy, but if you have pauses in breathing, get checked for sleep apnea. Also check your blood pressure and protein levels in your urine, especially if you have swollen ankles or headaches.
If you have restless leg syndrome, it could be due to an iron or folic acid deficiency, so get tested.
If you can't sleep, don't force yourself - try reading or meditating to help you relax.
Use a night light instead of turning on the light in the bathroom, it will help you fall asleep faster.
Try meditation to calm your brain and nerves. Go online to find great mediation options.
Don't be afraid to talk to your doctor about sleep problems. This could be a warning of a nutritional deficiency or a breathing problem (sleep apnea) that your doctor will want to check for. They may also have helpful suggestions!

Bleeding gums and toothache

Oral health issues during pregnancy are overshadowed by some of the more obvious symptoms, but it's not a problem to be ignored! A recent survey found that 75% of pregnant women experience some form of oral health problem during pregnancy. Symptoms included bleeding gums, toothache, and tooth sensitivity. Only 57% of women actually went to the dentist during pregnancy. It is important to consult a dentist during pregnancy, as any infection in the mouth can adversely affect the health of your baby.

Bleeding gums were the most common oral discomfort in pregnant women. This is mainly due to hormonal changes during pregnancy, which make the gums susceptible to plaque. Bleeding gums, if left untreated, can lead to periodontal disease (gingivitis). Many studies show that periodontal disease may be a potential risk for low birth weight babies. Bleeding gums can also lead to gum recession, which can lead to sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures and make teeth more susceptible to cavities at the gum line. Your dentist can give you advice on gentle treatment and care of your teeth.

How to prevent or treat bleeding gums during pregnancy?

Regularly and thoroughly brush your teeth and use dental floss. But be careful, as flossing can cause bleeding on already sensitive gums.
Visit a dentist/hygienist every 3 months during pregnancy and continue at that frequency until you stop breastfeeding.
Healthy nutrition and prenatal vitamin intake is also an important factor in maintaining oral and general health during pregnancy; you need to eat right.

Headaches and migraines

Headaches during pregnancy can be the result of hormonal changes, stress, nasal congestion, constipation, lack of sleep, dehydration, low blood pressure, low blood sugar, and even caffeine withdrawal. In some cases, it is caused by preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia (also called toxemia)

A severe headache in the second or third trimester may be a sign of preeclampsia or high blood pressure during pregnancy. Preeclampsia is a rare condition that affects five to ten percent of pregnancies. The headaches that result from preeclampsia are persistent, persistent, and throbbing. Moms with preeclampsia may also complain of blurry or spotty vision, weight gain, pain in the upper right abdomen, and swelling of the hands and face. If you have an unusual headache or any of these symptoms, you should contact your doctor or midwife immediately.

How to avoid or treat headaches during pregnancy?

Posture plays an important role. Try to stand up and sit up straight.
Get enough rest and do relaxation exercises (relieve stress!)
Physical exercise (daily 30-minute walk)
Eat frequent, well-balanced meals
Food can often cause headaches or migraines. Keep a food diary and avoid headache-inducing foods such as chocolate, caffeine, dairy products, meats with preservatives, etc.
Stay hydrated by drinking at least 8 cups of water a day (dehydration can be a trigger)

If you have a headache or migraine, you can try to relieve it by doing the following:

Applying a compress to your head or neck
Eating more frequent meals to avoid low blood sugar & drink more water
Massage your head (or have someone to do it for you)
If you are sensitive to light and/or sound, try blocking these out or minimizing (sunglasses, earphones to block noise)
Take a dose of acetaminophen (if your doctor approves)
If you experience headaches that become worse or come on suddenly, headaches that are different than normal, headaches that are accompanied by vision changes, sudden weight gain, pain in the upper right abdomen, or swelling in the hands and face, contact your doctor immediately as this could be a sign of preeclampsia.