As the term “pregnancy ailments” suggests, we are not talking about serious conditions here, although that does not mean they cannot be very annoying at times. When you become a mother, all pregnancy ailments usually disappear spontaneously. Here we provide a brief overview of less common pregnancy ailments and what you can do to alleviate them. If you continue to experience too much discomfort, please feel free to call us at any time. Under no circumstances should you take medication on your own initiative!
Nausea
Most pregnant moms feel nauseous mainly in the mornings, especially during the first trimester of pregnancy. Other unlucky ones are nauseous all day long, some for as long as nine months. You can relieve nausea by eating several small meals instead of three heavy ones. Avoid fatty foods and drink plenty of water, at least 1.5 liters a day. Moms who are mainly nauseous in the mornings can try eating something light before getting out of bed.
Heartburn
Acid reflux is a typical pregnancy symptom for the last trimester, when the baby starts pressing against mom’s stomach. Certain foods can cause heartburn. Therefore, it is best to avoid carbonated drinks, coffee, orange juice, and spicy foods. You should also steer clear of high-fat foods. Additionally, it is important to eat slowly and chew thoroughly. Here too, it is better to eat five small meals than three large ones. It is best to avoid strenuous activity after a meal. Finally, sleeping with your upper body slightly elevated can help.
Fatigue
Almost all expectant mothers say they feel so tired, especially during the first trimester. During the third trimester, that fatigue sometimes returns, which can be explained by the increased body weight. Try to give in to your need for sleep; it is a sign from your body that it needs this rest. In some cases, extra iron can provide improvement, but discuss this with your doctor or midwife first.
Moisture accumulation
Pregnant mothers suffer from fluid retention (edema) in the feet and knees, especially on warm days. This happens gradually. If your face swells up very suddenly, it is best to contact a doctor, as this could be an indication of pre-eclampsia. To alleviate this symptom, it is best not to stand for too long and to rest with your legs elevated.
Stretch marks
Stretch marks are the result of the skin stretching, causing small tears in the lower layers of the skin. They occur on the abdomen, thighs, and breasts. After pregnancy, stretch marks become lighter, but they never disappear completely. The best way to avoid stretch marks is to keep your weight under control. Try to eat a healthy and varied diet so that you do not gain too much weight. Additionally, you can care for the skin on the abdomen, thighs, and breasts with a moisturizing cream. There are various (expensive) creams on the market for stretch marks, but unfortunately, there is no effective remedy to prevent stretch marks in pregnant mothers.
Back pain
Many expectant mothers complain of back pain. This is a result of your increased weight and a change in your posture. Pregnant mothers can relieve back pain by lying on their backs and tilting their pelvis so that it rests flat on the floor. Resting on your side can also help.
Sleep problems due to pregnancy ailments
Although there are quite a few pregnancy ailments that make it harder to sleep (frequent urination, leg cramps, etc.), it is still important that you, as an expectant mother, get enough rest. Try to give in to your need to rest or sleep as often as possible.
Hemorrhoids
The pressure of the uterus on the blood vessels of the anus can cause you to develop hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids are varicose veins near your anus. Constipation can also cause hemorrhoids. It is best not to strain during hard stools. Ensure your stool is soft, and you can also use medication for hemorrhoids if necessary. You can order this at www.curanol.nl
Ligaments
Due to the growth of your uterus, you may experience ligament pain. This often manifests as sharp, stabbing pains in your groin. You will feel these ligaments stretching, especially at the beginning and end of your pregnancy, and sometimes they can cause a sharp, sharp sting when sneezing or making a sudden movement. Ligament pain is harmless. If it causes you a lot of discomfort, taking things easier may help.
Dizziness
When getting up (in the morning as well as during the day), you may occasionally feel a bit dizzy or feel like you are about to faint. This is generally related to low blood pressure. Your blood pressure reaches its lowest point halfway through your pregnancy. You may also lie on your back and feel unwell for a moment. This is because the blood vessel leading to your brain is receiving too little oxygen. If you feel dizzy, make sure to take it easy and do not stand up too quickly. If you experience these symptoms while lying on your back, turn onto your side. You will soon notice that the symptoms disappear.
Hard bellies
In the second trimester of pregnancy, you may sometimes experience Braxton Hicks contractions. This is a reaction of your uterus (a muscle) to your daily activities. This is not a problem if they are not painful, irregular, or if you do not experience blood loss, fluid loss, or frequent urination accompanied by a burning sensation. If the frequency of Braxton Hicks contractions increases, the advice is to take things easier. Your body is indicating that you have been working too hard. However, if you do experience them as painful, if they occur regularly, or if you have other symptoms, it is important to contact your midwife.
Headache
Especially during the first part of pregnancy, many women experience headaches. You may always take paracetamol for this. Should you experience severe headaches during the second part of your pregnancy, always contact your midwife.
Itch
Many women suffer from itching. This does not always have a cause. Sometimes it is due to tension on your belly. Menthol powder or gel can offer some relief. Should you experience extreme itching, always mention this to your midwife.
Calf cramps
You may suddenly wake up at night with a cramp in your calf. The cause of this is not entirely clear, but it is certainly painful. Stretching your leg and moving your toe towards you can help. Massaging your calf can also be pleasant. You could also do this preventively before going to sleep. It is possible that alternating showers (with cold and warm water) before bed stimulate better blood circulation and thereby limit calf cramps.
Constipation
You may experience constipation. This is caused by the hormone progesterone. Your intestines start working more slowly and, as a result, extract more fluid from the stool. Don’t forget to drink plenty of fluids (about 2-3 liters per day) and eat lots of vegetables and fiber.
Peeing
Due to the pressure from your uterus, you may feel the need to go to the toilet more often. The position of your bladder also changes slightly. As a result, urine can easily remain in your bladder. Watch out for a bladder infection. Symptoms include: urinating more often than normal, sometimes pain in your lower abdomen, and a possible painful or burning sensation when urinating. To rule out a bladder infection, you can have your urine checked by your GP. If a bladder infection is present, you will be given a course of antibiotics. Try to empty your bladder completely. You can do this by standing up after urinating, then sitting down again and urinating a little more. Furthermore, it is important to drink plenty of fluids, about 2 liters a day.
Varicose veins
Varicose veins develop in 1 out of 5 pregnant women. This can occur in the legs as well as on the labia. The cause is the hormone progesterone. This hormone weakens the blood vessel walls, and the increasing blood volume creates more pressure on these vessels. Our advice is therefore to put your legs up at the end of the day!
Gum and nosebleeds
Due to increased blood flow and more sensitive blood vessels, you may be more prone to bleeding gums or nosebleeds. Use a softer brush if you have bleeding gums.
