Coping with Common Problems During Natural Pregnancy

Monday July 31, 2023 at 1:47 pm

The journey of pregnancy is one of the most beautiful and transformative experiences for you as an expectant mother, filled with anticipation and joy. But it is also a time of physical and hormonal changes that would bring some challenges. In this guide, you can learn everything about some common problems that can occur during a natural pregnancy and provide practical tips on how you can cope with them effectively.

Morning Sickness

Morning sickness is all about the feelings of nausea and sometimes vomiting that you can experience, especially during the early stages of pregnancy. Even though the exact cause is not entirely understood, hormonal changes significantly increased levels of estrogen, are believed to be contributing to morning sickness.

Tips for dealing with morning sickness 

  • You can eat small frequent meals to prevent an empty stomach
  • It would be best if you always stayed hydrated by sipping water or gingerly throughout the day for
  • Consider acupuncture bands or aromatherapy to help deal with the symptoms.
  • If the morning sickness is severe and affects your ability to keep food down, then you should consult with your doctor for safe anti-nausea medicines. 

Hyperemesis Gravidarum

Hyperemesis gravidarum is a severe form of morning sickness that is characterized by persistent or excessive vomiting, and it leads to dehydration and weight loss. The exact cause is not understood, but hormonal changes are likely to contribute to this situation.

Tips to deal with hyperemesis gravidarum

  • You need to seek medical attention instantly for assessment and treatment for
  • Consider staying hydrated by drinking clear fluids or receiving intravenous fluids.
  • You should follow a bland diet with small frequent meals to reduce nausea.
  • Rest as much as possible to conserve your energy and aid recovery.

Pelvic Pain

Pelvic pain is prominently known as pelvic girdle pain or symphysis pubis dysfunction, and it is a common discomfort that you can experience during your pregnancy. It basically results from the softening of ligaments and joints in the pelvic area.

The softening of ligaments and joints, along with the weight of your growing baby, contributes to this pain during pregnancy.

Tips for dealing with pelvic pain

  • It would be best if you practiced some pelvic floor exercises to strengthen your supporting vessels.
  • You can use a pregnancy support belt to provide extra support to your pelvic joints.
  • Avoid heavy lifting or sudden movements that will strain your pelvic area.
  • For pain relief, you can also consider physical therapy or chiropractic therapy.

Back Pain

Back pain is a prevalent complaint among pregnant women, especially during the later series of pregnancy. It happens because of added weight and shifting of your body’s center of gravity. 

Increased weight can contribute to back pain during pregnancy, and it can also be due to altered posture or hormonal changes.

Tips to deal with back pain

  • You need to practice good posture and avoid standing or sitting for a long time. 
  • Here you need to engage in low-impact exercises like prenatal yoga or swimming to strengthen your back muscles.
  • You can also use a supportive maternity pillow while sleeping to maintain proper spinal alignment for
  • Consider applying heat packs or taking warm baths to get rid of the muscle tension.

Constipation

Constipation during pregnancy is all about infrequent or difficult bowel movements, often accompanied by discomfort or bloating.

Hormonal changes and the pressure exerted by the growing uterus on the intestines can slow down your bowel movements during pregnancy and leads to constipation.

Tips for dealing with constipation

  • It would be best if you ate a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
  • Consider staying hydrated by drinking a lot of water throughout the day.
  • You must engage in regular physical activity to stimulate your bowel movements.
  • If Constipation persists, then you should consult with your healthcare provider for safe laxatives or stool Softeners. 

Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are swollen and enlarged veins that appear on your legs during pregnancy. This results from increased blood volume and decreased blood flow from your legs to the pelvis for pregnancy-related hormonal changes, and the pressure of your growing uterus on the blood vessels can contribute to the development of varicose veins.

Tips to deal with varicose veins

  • It would be best if you elevated your legs whenever possible to improve blood circulation.
  • Avoid sitting or standing for the long term without moving.
  • Consider wearing compression stockings to support blood flow and minimize swelling.
  • You should consult with your doctor if varicose veins cause a lot of discomfort or pain.

Gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that you can develop during pregnancy, and it affects how your body processes sugar or glucose. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can affect your insulin sensitivity, which leads to high blood glucose levels.

Tips for dealing with gestational diabetes

  • You need to follow a balanced diet with controlled carbohydrate intake.
  • Engage in regular physical activity that will help you regulate your blood sugar levels.
  • Monitor your blood glucose levels as recommended by your doctor.
  • Your healthcare provider would prescribe you insulin or other medicines if required.

Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is basically a severe condition categorized by high blood pressure and potential damage to your organs, and it is expected during the 20th week of your pregnancy.

The exact cause of the condition is not entirely understood, but experts suggest that it is related to problems with your blood vessels and the placenta.

Tips for dealing with preeclampsia

  • It would be best if you went for regular prenatal checkups, and blood pressure monitoring is essential.
  • You should rest and avoid stressful activities to minimize stress on your body.
  • Your healthcare experts can recommend some medicines or even advise bed rest to manage the condition.

Placenta Previa

Placenta previa is a condition where the placenta partially or completely covers your cervix, potentially leading to bleeding during the pregnancy. 

The exact cause is not clear but is related to the position of Placentia in your uterus.

Tips to deal with placenta previa

  • You need to follow your healthcare provider’s advice on activities to avoid, like heavy lifting or intercourse.
  • Monitor for any signs of bleeding and seek instant medical attention if it happens again.
  • Your doctor will monitor your placenta’s position throughout the pregnancy.

During the journey of your natural pregnancy, you might encounter different challenges that require understanding and support. Being informed about some problems and knowing how to deal with them can help you get rid of the concerns and promote a healthy pregnancy experience

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