This archive report was first published on 4 December 2019.
Six common ailments during pregnancy ¶
As your body undergoes the incredible transformation of pregnancy, you may experience a range of physical changes that can be uncomfortable and even painful. While every woman's experience is unique, there are some common ailments that many pregnant women face. Here are six of the most common ones.
According to Shutterstock, some of the physical changes that come with pregnancy are not fun and you might need psychological preparation.
One of the most dreaded symptoms of pregnancy is morning sickness, which can leave you feeling nauseated and vomiting. Hormonal changes in the body cause this, and it's essential to eat small meals and snacks throughout the day instead of forcing yourself to eat huge meals at a go. This will ensure you get the needed nutrients as your pregnancy hormones settle.
Exhaustion is another common symptom of pregnancy. When you're pregnant, you're advised to take some time resting and avoid doing strenuous activities. Your energy levels are generally low, and you might not be able to handle everything you used to do while you weren't expectant. Pregnant women suffer from some level of exhaustion, especially because their bodies are working twice as hard.
Other ailments that many pregnant women experience are those that revolve around digestion. Constipation, heartburn, and bloating are common ones during this period. These ailments are caused especially when there is pressure on the digestive organs like the stomach, small, and large intestines. The baby will take up some space when growing, so this causes some of these digestive ailments alongside pregnancy hormones. The best way to ease these problems is by avoiding spicy foods because these can make things worse. Also, eating more fiber-rich foods will help ease things up.
Cramps are another common symptom of pregnancy. These are abdominal pains that are similar to those experienced during your period. When pregnant, your uterine muscles stretch during the process, causing some pain and discomfort. The increased blood flow and uterine contractions could cause the cramps to be present at certain times through the trimesters. To ease this, you can take warm baths, exercise regularly, or even get a handy hot water bottle.
Many pregnant women might struggle with sleepless nights and uneven sleeping patterns. The common reason for this is associated with other effects of pregnancy such as frequent need to use the bathroom, nausea, vomiting, or even digestive ailments. With these distractions, it can be hard to get a full night's worth of sleep. Some of the ways to deal with sleep deprivation is drinking fluids during the day, aromatherapy for relaxation, and dimming the light a few hours before bed.
Back aches are definitely another common ailment that pregnant women go through. It's caused by a combination of weight gain and the baby's increase in size as well. At times, you might find that you are adopting a slanted posture which also strains the back in the process. One of the most effective ways to straighten the back and reduce the discomfort is by stretching daily and doing light exercises throughout the pregnancy. If need be, you can also get a pregnancy body pillow or a full-length maternity pillow for back support and pain.
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