Being pregnant can bring a woman great joy, but it is also normal to feel minor pains and discomforts every now and then. Pregnancy brings about changes to your body in order to nurture another life, so you must be extra careful when trying to address common health concerns.
A change in mindset
When you first learn about your pregnancy, it may take some time to unlearn your go-to methods to address common aches or discomforts. Usually when a headache strikes, a person can safely take an over-the-counter (OTC) medicine to help manage the pain. However, when pregnant, it is important to remember that what you do will affect how your unborn child is developing. Pregnant women must always consider this in their everyday choices, such as what to eat, drink, do, or health products to take.
Read: 5 Important Vitamins for Pregnant Women
Choose your healthcare partner
Before even getting pregnant, choose the right obstetrician (OB) for you. Your OB specialist will be able to guide and help you with pre-conception, and most of all throughout the different stages of your pregnancy to help monitor you and your baby’s health.
Whenever you are in doubt about what to do, refrain from self-diagnosing and resorting to hearsay remedies or exploratory treatments. It is always the safer choice to consult a medical professional who will be able to diagnose and treat you for your concern.
Common discomforts in pregnant women
We listed some common conditions and discomforts of pregnant women you may be experiencing today. Here we discuss in greater detail what you can do if these concerns suddenly strike. Remember that these conditions can occur at any time during your pregnancy, and symptoms can manifest differently in women.
- Back pain
- Your body is growing fast and is stretching itself to prepare for eventual delivery, sometimes causing back pain. Your larger belly also provides pressure to your front, so your body posture might be compensating for that extra weight.
- What you can do:
- Maintain good posture
- Avoid standing for extended periods of time
- Wear comfortable or supportive shoes
- Always find a spot with good back support, whether sitting or lying down
- Apply a warm compress to where you’re feeling sore/pain to help relax the muscle
- Don’t carry heavy objects
- Constipation
- This may be caused by hormonal changes and your body’s reaction to certain supplements. As your uterus also grows bigger it may start to press down on your rectum, making it challenging to poop.
- What you can do:
- Drink sufficient amounts of liquid every day (8 glasses of water)
- Increase fiber intake
- Consult your doctor if constipation persists
- Diarrhea
- This can be caused by a number of things that include catching a mild bug, or adjusting to a new diet or dietary supplement. You have to ensure you are properly hydrated while symptoms are present.
- What you can do:
- Ensure you are drinking enough fluids. Keep water handy and consult your doctor if you can take oral rehydration salts or drinks with electrolytes
- Temporarily shift to a soft diet with nothing too oily and too sweet
- Feeling faint or dizzy
- It is definitely scary to feel lightheaded, faint, or dizzy when you are pregnant. This usually occurs because of any of the following: hormonal changes, your body lacking certain nutrients, low blood sugar levels, or even a change in blood pressure.
- What you can do:
- If you are outside of your home, immediately tell your companion or someone in your vicinity about how you are feeling. Look for a safe place to sit or lie down.
- Do not skip meals and take them on time to avoid a drop in blood sugar levels
- Drink water regularly
- Consult your doctor if this recurs
- Headache
- Even pregnant women are not safe from experiencing headaches on occasion. When this happens, it might be a sign or symptom of another condition.
- What you can do:
- Stop to take a rest. You might be exerting too much effort or energy into what you’re doing
- Find a cool and quiet room to sit or lie down. Close your eyes and relax
- Check with your doctor if you can take paracetamol for faster relief
- Consult your doctor if this recurs
- Nasal congestion
- Even pregnant women are not shielded from developing cold. This may be a sign of a flu infection or an allergic reaction, but you can help clear your nasal passage safely.
- What you can do:
- Drink plenty of water
- Use saline nasal sprays to help dislodge the blockage
- Nausea or vomiting
- It is a normal occurrence to feel nauseated or have the urge to vomit when pregnant. This often happens during the early stages of pregnancy when the body is still adjusting to hormonal changes.
- What you can do:
- Eat smaller and more frequent meals throughout the day
- Keep hydrated but avoid overdrinking fluids as this may lead to bloating
- Avoid food or smells that can trigger your nausea
- Consult your doctor about taking vitamin B6 to help with your nausea
Whenever these or other symptoms arise, do not panic. Most of the time common discomforts can be addressed with simple steps. Make it a habit to list down any of your concerns and raise them with your OB specialist during your regular check-ups, and discuss an emergency plan in case of unforeseen and serious conditions occur. Your doctor is in the best position to help you keep a safe pregnancy.
General disclaimer
Your doctor will always be in the best position to give the appropriate medical advice for your condition. For suspected undesirable drug reaction, seek medical attention immediately and report to the FDA at www.fda.gov.ph and UNILAB, Inc. at 8-UNILAB-1 or productsafety@unilab.com.ph. Always buy your medicine from your trusted drugstores and retailers.
Sources:
- https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/related-conditions/common-symptoms/vomiting-and-morning-sickness/
- https://www.webmd.com/baby/guide/pregnancy-discomforts-causes#3-5
- https://www.healthline.com/health/cold-flu/treating-during-pregnancy#TOC_TITLE_HDR_1
- https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/weight-management/healthy-eating-physical-activity-for-life/health-tips-for-pregnant-women
- https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/related-conditions/common-symptoms/back-pain/
