When you are pregnant, several annoying health problems will come up now and then. It is very important to clearly understand which ones need immediate medical attention and which can be relieved by some simple changes.
Here is a list of the most common health problems that almost everyone faces during their pregnancy.
Cramps
This is the most common pregnancy health problem and usually happens towards the second half of your pregnancy. A sharp pain up your legs accompanies it and often occurs in the middle of the night.
To prevent it, stretch your calf muscles before going to bed. In case you DO get a cramp, straighten your legs while pulling your toes back to ease the pain.
Frequent Urination
This happens when you need to pass urine more frequently than usual. This common health problem will worsen as the baby grows in size, increasing the pressure on your bowel. There is not much that you can do about it, though.
Some women consider using adult diapers when attending meetings or going on trips.
Incontinence
Urinary Stress Incontinence (USI) means losing bladder control and leaking urine. It usually occurs when you cough or laugh too hard. This problem, too, increases towards the end of pregnancy.
For prevention, you can try pelvic floor exercises, which help strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. Wearing a sanitary napkin outside can help with the embarrassment of wetting your pants.
Indigestion and Heartburn
Indigestion is just one of those problems you will experience at some point in your pregnancy. Heartburn, along with this, makes it a very uncomfortable problem for pregnant women.
For prevention, avoid having spicy and fatty food. And don’t eat too much at a time. Once you have it, ask your doctor for a pregnancy-safe antacid.
Blocked Nose
This is one of the most uncomfortable health problems for any expecting mother. Many pregnant women will find their noses blocked up or runny without any reason for catching a cold. It might even bleed for no obvious reason.
You might also develop a super-sized, swelled-up nose. In this case, don’t blow your nose too hard and don’t use any over-the-counter product either. Check with your doctor and use saline drops or sprays. Inhaling steam can also help.
Varicose Veins
Varicose veins or swollen veins can develop in your genital area. This can be quite uncomfortable and painful. In this case, lie down several times a day. This will help in relieving the pressure from the veins. Pelvic floor exercises can help too.
Constipation and Hemorrhoids
It is quite common to develop severe constipation during pregnancy. If not treated quickly, it can also result to getting Hemorrhoids. To prevent this, make sure your diet contains a lot of fibre. Also, drink plenty of water and ask your physician to recommend exercise.
Backache
Almost all expecting mothers experience mild to serious backaches throughout their pregnancy. It is experienced when the ligaments start stretching, and the body starts preparing itself for the additional weight of the baby. For getting relief, try different antenatal exercises regularly, take sufficient bed rest and wear slippers.
This pretty much sums up all the possible health problems you might face when pregnant. Most of these can be taken care of by following some simple steps. If any of these seem alarming, contact your doctor or midwife to get a solution and prevent it from worsening.
