COMMON AILMENTS DURING PREGNANCY


  1. Tiredness, weakness and exhaustion

    What to do:

    • Rest
    • Family support
    • Frequent small meals
    • Plenty of fluids & energy drinks

  2. Nausea & vomiting (morning sickness)

    Cause: Due to pregnancy hormone and psychological background

    What to do:

    • Assurance
    • Take a dry toast or Biscuit before getting up from bed
    • Avoid fatty food and liquids on empty stomach
    • Take small frequent diet
    • If vomiting is not controlled by above measures then she should consult the doctor

  3. Constipation

    Cause: Pregnancy hormone progesterone

    What to do:

    • Increase fluid intake
    • Have roughage - lots of fruits and vegetables
    • If not relieved then consult the doctor

  4. Sleeplessness

    Cause: Backache, heartburn, frequency of urination, excessive foetal movements, exhaustion, physical discomfort and anxiety of labour

    What to do:

    • Avoid food at bed time
    • Find a comfortable position for sleeping
    • Sleeping pills should not be taken without consulting the doctor

  5. Backache

    Cause: Softening of ligaments of pelvic bone and hip joints, lordosis of spine

    What to do:

    • Back exercises
    • Massage & hot fomentation
    • Pain killer gels

  6. Heartburns & Acidity

    Cause: In early pregnancy it is caused by women being unable to take proper diet. In late pregnancy it is caused by enlarging uterus pushing the stomach up forcing acid into oesophagus.

    What to do:

    • Avoid spicy food
    • Avoid being on an empty stomach
    • Take small frequent diet
    • Avoid aerated water, canned and junk food
    • Avoid too much tea & coffee
    • If not controlled by above measures then consult a doctor

  7. Leg cramps

    Cause: Due to deficiency of calcium and salt

    What to do:

    • Calcium rich diet
    • Avoid high heeled shoes
    • Massage & acute flexion of foot at the ankle
    • Calcium & vit. D prep

  8. Vericose veins

    Cause: Progesterone hormone relaxes the vessel wall so when one stands for long hours veins get distended. Pressure of the growing uterus causes obstruction to flow towards heart

    What to do:

    • Avoid standing still for long hours
    • Keep your feet raised on a footstool or chair
    • Stockings

  9. Piles

    Cause: Pressure of the enlarged uterus on pelvic veins cause swollen veins and constipation

    What to do:

    • Plenty of fluids
    • High fibre diet fruits and vegetables
    • Laxative & corticosteroid ointment after consulting doctor

  10. Mood swings

    Cause: Hormone changes, changes in body shape & mixed feeling about forthcoming parenthood lead to unexplained crying & anxiety

    What to do:

    • Reassurance

  11. Ankle oedema

    Cause: Due to the obstruction to the blood flow by the enlarged uterus

    What to do:

    • Avoid standing for long hrs & stretch your legs on chair in between
    • Low salt intake
    • If oedema occurs all over the body then always consult doctor

  12. Stretch marks

    Cause: Due to stretching of skin

    What to do:

    • Avoid putting on weight rapidly
    • Gentle massage with vitamin E oil or aloe vera creams

  13. Breathlessness

    Cause: Due to enlarging uterus pushing the diaphragm up restricting breathing movements

    What to do:

    • Do not lie flat on back
    • Prop up head & shoulders on pillows

  14. Skin pigmentation

    What to do:

    • Slowly fades away after delivery

  15. Frequent visits to loo

    Cause: In early pregnancy enlarging uterus irritates the bladder. In late pregnancy, head goes down, it irritates the bladder

    What to do:

    • Drink plenty of fluids to prevent urinary tract infection

  16. Giddiness & Fainting

    Cause: Lack of blood supply to brain due to increase demand by the growing uterus & foetus

    What to do:

    • Avoid standing for long time
    • Lie down if you feel giddy

  17. Tender Breast

    What to do:

    • Usually decreases after first trimester
    • Assurance

  18. Vaginal discharge and Thrush

    Cause: Due to increased vascularity, change in vaginal flora increases chances of candida fungal infection

    What to do:

    • Treatment by antifungal creams and pesseries after consulting doctor