Tiredness, weakness and exhaustion
What to do:- Rest
- Family support
- Frequent small meals
- Plenty of fluids & energy drinks
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Mood swings
Cause: Hormone changes, changes in body shape & mixed feeling about forthcoming parenthood lead to unexplained crying & anxiety
What to do:- Reassurance
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
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
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
Skin pigmentation
What to do:- Slowly fades away after delivery
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
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
Tender Breast
What to do:- Usually decreases after first trimester
- Assurance
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