PREGNANCY TIPS
Your body has a great deal to do during pregnancy. Sometimes the
changes taking place will cause irritation or discomfort, and on
occasions they may seem quite alarming. There is rarely an need for
alarm, but you should mention anything worrisome to your obstetrician.
If you think something maybe seriously wrong, trust your own judgment
and get in touch with your obstetrician right away.
COMMON HEALTH PROBLEMS IN PREGNANCY.
Backache in Pregnancy
Backache in pregnancy is quite common. As your baby grows, the
hollow in your back may become more pronounced and this can cause
backache.
During pregnancy, the ligaments in your body naturally become softer and stretch to prepare you for labour. This can put strains on the joints of your back and pelvis, which can cause backache.
During pregnancy, the ligaments in your body naturally become softer and stretch to prepare you for labour. This can put strains on the joints of your back and pelvis, which can cause backache.
There are things you could do to help prevent backache from happening, and to help you cope with backache if it occurs.
These tips can help you protect your back.
- Avoid lifting heavy objects.
- Bend your knees and keep your back straight when lifting or picking up something from the floor.
- Move your feet when turning round to avoid twisting your spine.
- Wear flat shoes as these allows your weight to be evenly distributed.
- Work at surfaces high enough to prevent you from stooping
- Sit with your back straight and well supported.
- Make sure you get enough rest, especially at late pregnancy.
- A firm mattress can also help to prevent and relieve backache. If your mattress is too soft, put a piece of hard board under it to make it firmer.
-
Massage can be of good help.
Bleeding In Pregnancy
Bleeding during pregnancy is relatively common. However,
bleeding from the vagina at anytime In pregnancy can be a dangerous
sign, and you should always contact your obstetrician Immediately if
it happens to you. Bleeding is not often caused by something serious,
but it is very important to be sure and find out the causes straight
away.
In early pregnancy you might get some light bleeding called ‘spotting when the fetus implants itself in the well of the womb. This is also called implantation bleeding, and often happens around the time that your first period after conception would have been due.
Causes of Bleeding
In early pregnancy you might get some light bleeding called ‘spotting when the fetus implants itself in the well of the womb. This is also called implantation bleeding, and often happens around the time that your first period after conception would have been due.
Causes of Bleeding
During the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, vaginal bleeding can be a
sign of miscarriage or ectopic pregnancies.
However, many women who bleed at this stage of pregnancy go on to have normal and successful pregnancies.
• Miscarriage- If a pregnancy ends before 24
weeks of pregnancy, it is called a miscarriage. Miscarriage is quite
common on the first 12 weeks of pregnancy; around one in every five
pregnancies ends this way. Many miscarriages in the first 12 weeks
happen because there is something wrong with the baby, other causes are
hormone or blood clotting problems.
• Ectopic Pregnancy - Ectopic pregnancy is
less common than miscarriage, and affects approximately one in 100
pregnancies. Bleeding may be a sign of ectopic pregnancy, when a
fertilized egg Implants outside the womb, for example in the fallopian
tube. An operation Is usually needed for correction and to save life of
the mother.
• Changes in Cervix - The cells of the cervix often
change in pregnancy and make it more likely to bleed, especially
after sex. These cell changes are harmless and are called cervical
ectropion. Vaginal infection can also cause a small amount of bleeding
- A 'Show' - The most common sort of bleeding in late pregnancy is the small amount of blood mixed with mucus that is known as a 'show'. This occurs when cervix is changing prior to commencement of labour.
- Placental Abruption - This is a serious condition in which the placenta starts to come away from the inside of the womb wall. Placental abruption usually causes abdominal pain, even if there is no bleeding. If it happens close to the baby's due date, your baby may be delivered early.
- Placenta Praevia - Low lying placenta (Placenta Praevia) is when the placenta is attached to the lower part of the womb near to or covering the cervix, it is easily detected on ultrasound scan.
Finding cause of bleeding in pregnancy may require you having a
vaginal or pelvis examination, an ultrasound scan or blood tests to
check your hormone levels.
You will be observed or kept in hospital for observation. Your obstetrician will give you best advice.
You will be observed or kept in hospital for observation. Your obstetrician will give you best advice.
Bleeding Gums
Some women get swollen and sore gums, which may bleed in
pregnancy. Bleeding gums are caused by a build-up of plaque (bacteria)
on the teeth.
Hormonal changes during pregnancy can make your gums more vulnerable to plaque inflammation and bleeding. Your dentist will be able to help with this.
Tips on keeping your teeth and gum healthy are:
Hormonal changes during pregnancy can make your gums more vulnerable to plaque inflammation and bleeding. Your dentist will be able to help with this.
Tips on keeping your teeth and gum healthy are:
- Clean your teeth twice daily with a good brushing method (ask your dentist).
- Avoid sugary drinks and foods too often
- Snack and vegetable are often sugary and acidic food.
- Avoid mouthwash that contains alcohol.
- Stop smoking.
- Always make sure your dentist knows you are pregnant.
Constipation
You may become constipated very early in pregnancy because of
the hormonal changes in your body. Constipation may mean that you are
not passing stool as often as you normally do. You have to strain more
than usual. Constipation can make your stool harder, lumpy, large or
small.
Tips on preventing constipation includes:
- Eat foods that are high in fibre, such as a whole meal breads, whole grain cereal, fruit and vegetable, beans.
- Exercise more regularly to keep your muscles toned.
- Drink plenty of water
- Avoid iron tablets that can make you constipated
- Ask your obstetrician for an alternative.
Cramp in Pregnancy
Cramp is a sudden sharp pain, usually in your calf muscle or
feet. It is most common at night. Nobody really knows what causes it,
but there are theories such as calcium deficiency or extra weight
putting strains on your muscles.
Regular gentle exercises in pregnancy; particularly ankle and leg movement will improve your circulation and may help to prevent cramp occurring.
Regular gentle exercises in pregnancy; particularly ankle and leg movement will improve your circulation and may help to prevent cramp occurring.
Faintness in Pregnancy
Pregnant women often feel faint. This is because of the
hormonal changes occurring in the body during pregnancy. Fainting
happens if your brain is not getting enough blood and therefore not
oxygen.
You are most likely to faint if you stand too quickly from a chair or out of a bath; it can also happen when you are lying on your back.
You are most likely to faint if you stand too quickly from a chair or out of a bath; it can also happen when you are lying on your back.
Tips on avoiding or coping with faint feeling:
- Try to get up slowly after sitting or lying down
- If you feel faint while standing still find a seat quickly and the faintness should pass. if It does not be down on your side.
- If you feel faint while lying on your back, turn to your side.
It is better not to be flat on your back inlater pregnancy or during labour.
Feeling Hot in Pregnancy
During pregnancy, you are likely to feel warmer than normal. This is due to hormonal changes and an increase in blood supply to the skins, You are also likely to sweat more.
Tips to help are:
. Wear loose clothing made of natural fibres, as these are more absorbent and breathe more than synthetic fibres.
• keep your room cool.
• wash frequently to help, you feel fresh
Tips to help are:
. Wear loose clothing made of natural fibres, as these are more absorbent and breathe more than synthetic fibres.
• keep your room cool.
• wash frequently to help, you feel fresh
Urinating a lot in Pregnancy
Needing to pass urine frequently often starts early in
pregnancy. Sometimes it continues right through pregnancy. In the later
pregnancy it Is as result of the baby’s head pressing on your bladder.
Tips to help are:
. To cut down frequent urination at night cut down drinking in the late evening, but drink plenty of non-alcoholic and caffeine free drink during the day.
. If you have any pain while passing water or you pass any blood in your
Urine, you may have a urine infection, which will need treatment.
• Drink a lot of water to dilute your urine and reduce pain. Contact your obstetrician.
Tips to help are:
. To cut down frequent urination at night cut down drinking in the late evening, but drink plenty of non-alcoholic and caffeine free drink during the day.
. If you have any pain while passing water or you pass any blood in your
Urine, you may have a urine infection, which will need treatment.
• Drink a lot of water to dilute your urine and reduce pain. Contact your obstetrician.
Skin and Hair changes
Hormone changes taking place in pregnancy will make your
nipples and the area around them to go darker. Your skin colour may also
darken a little, either in patches or all over. Hair growth can also
increase in pregnancy and your hair may be greasier. After the baby is
born, it may seem as if you are losing a lot of hair, but you are
simply loosing the extra hair.
Varicose Veins
varicose veins are veins that have become swollen, the veins in
the legs are the most commonly affected. You can also get varicose
veins in the vulva.
Tips to help and prevent varicose veins:
• Try to avoid standing or long periods of time,
• Try not to sit with your legs crossed.
• Try not to put on too much weight.
•Sit with your legs up as often as you can
• Try support thighs which may help support your leg muscles.
• Try sleeping with your legs higher than the rest of your body; use pillows under your ankle.
• Do foot exercises and others such as walking, swimming etc.
Tips to help and prevent varicose veins:
• Try to avoid standing or long periods of time,
• Try not to sit with your legs crossed.
• Try not to put on too much weight.
•Sit with your legs up as often as you can
• Try support thighs which may help support your leg muscles.
• Try sleeping with your legs higher than the rest of your body; use pillows under your ankle.
• Do foot exercises and others such as walking, swimming etc.
Headaches in Pregnancy
Headaches in pregnant women are usually caused by hormones,
and many women who are not pregnant notice a link with their periods.
Menopause is also a trigger.
Headaches can get worse in the first few weeks of pregnancy, but they usually improve or stop completely during the last six months. They do not harm the baby but they can be uncomfortable for the pregnant woman.
Lifestyle changes can help to prevent headaches. Try to get more regular rest and relaxation. Taking paracetamol in the recommended dosage is safe in pregnancy.
Headaches can get worse in the first few weeks of pregnancy, but they usually improve or stop completely during the last six months. They do not harm the baby but they can be uncomfortable for the pregnant woman.
Lifestyle changes can help to prevent headaches. Try to get more regular rest and relaxation. Taking paracetamol in the recommended dosage is safe in pregnancy.
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