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Reliable information on
pregnancy topics
by Heisje de Jong,
Certified Lactation Consultant
 Welcome
(home page)
Your
pre-conception diet
Home pregnancy tests
Early signs of pregnancy
Diet for your pregnancy
Things to give up
Lifestyle changes
Childbirth classes
Breastfeeding - preparation
 Complications during
pregnancy
Prenatal testing
Pregnancy Week-by-Week
When to contact your doctor
What to ask your obstetrician
Hospital or home delivery?
And your Packing Guide!
Pain relief in labor
& birth
Medical intervention
during
labor and delivery
Post partum exercises
Breastfeeding
About Heisje de Jong
Useful links
Contact Heisje
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When you are pregnant many changes take place in your body. Some
of these changes can cause discomfort. You may have some aches
and pains. You may feel exhausted at times or experience other
symptoms. Many of these symptoms are just the result of being
pregnant and you do not need to worry about them too much. Just
knowing what you can do to relieve the symptoms will make you
feel more comfortable. Other symptoms may be cause for concern
and you need to inform your doctor about them. Here is an overview
of the most common problems.
VARICOSE VAINS
The increased flow of blood and
the softening of the muscular wall of the blood vessels make
it more likely that you will develop varicose veins on your legs
during pregnancy. Some women are genetically predisposed to varicose
veins. If your mother developed varicose veins during her pregnancy
unfortunately there is a good chance that you will too.
Suggestions:
· Avoid excessive weight
gain.
· Avoid standing for long periods of time, change position,
walk up and down.
· Put your legs up when you are sitting.
· Do not cross your legs.
· Avoid tight clothing.
· Wear support stockings.
· Exercise regularly. Swimming and walking are very beneficial
for your blood circulation.
CONSTIPATION
The hormones of pregnancy cause
the intestines to relax and become less efficient. The result
can be constipation. Iron tablets taken during pregnancy can
also cause constipation. Constipation is a nuisance and can make
toilet visit a daily chore.
Suggestions:
· Eat plenty of fibers
in your diet, whole grain bread, bran cereals, fruits and vegetables.
· Drink plenty of water.
· Do regular exercises, especially squatting.
· Prune juice and kiwis are excellent to relieve your
constipation.
· Ask your doctor for a stool softener when the suggestions
above do not work.
· Sometimes another type of iron tablets can make a difference.
HEMORRHOIDS
Hemorrhoids are varicose veins
of the rectum and can be caused by constipation. If you have
hemorrhoids, they should be treated as soon as possible to avoid
them protruding through the anus. Hemorrhoids can be itchy and
during defaecation they can start bleeding. Many times they dissapear
after birth.
Suggestions:
· Avoid straining.
· Eat plenty of fiber in your diet to avoid constipation.
· If necessary, ask your doctor for a stool softener or
a cream to reduce itchiness and swelling.
· Apply a pad soaked in witchhazel or calendula for relief.
This also reduces swelling.
LEG CRAMPS
Cramps in your leg may be caused
by the extra weight you are carrying or circulation changes.
It may also be a sign that you do not get enough calcium in your
diet.
Suggestions:
· If the cramp starts,
bring your toes towards you and massage the leg muscle.
· Exercise regularly to improve your blood circulation.
· Make sure you get enough calcium in your diet.
HEART BURN
Hormones released during pregnancy
soften the sphincter between the esophagus and the stomach. This
lets stomach acids back up into the esophagus, causing a burning
sensation. Later in pregnancy, heartburn can also occur if your
growing baby pushes your organs upwards.
Suggestions:
· Eat smaller, frequent
meal.
· Avoid rich, spicy or greasy foods.
· Remain upright for a while after eating.
· Elevate the head of your bed.
· Eat some crackers and drink some milk when you have
heartburn.
· Ask your doctor for an antacid.
BACKACHES
Backache is one of the most common
complains during pregnancy. Usually it is the result of poor
posture due to the weight of your baby. Also wrong lifting techniques
can contribute to
backache.
Suggestions:
· Use good posture, avoid
hollowing your back.
· Sit with a straight back, do not slouch.
· When you sit in a chair see that your spine is well
supported. If necessary, use a cushion in your back.
· Use your legs not your back when you reach down for
something. Kneel down to pick up something.
· Wear comfortable shoes that give good support, avoid
high heels.
· Practice pelvic rocking while on all fours. This is
a good exercise to relieve backache.
· Apply a hot water bottle to your back or take a warm
bath or shower. This relaxes also the muscles of your back.
STRETCH MARKS
Stretch marks may appear as dark
streaks on your tummy, buttock, thighs and breasts. They are
a sign that the skin has been stretched from underneath. Stretch
marks never completely disappear but after birth they fade and
gradually change to a silvery color.
There are many creams and lotions on the market to prevent stretch
marks. Many of them are very expensive but their effectiveness
has never been proven. Although stretch marks can not really
be prevented, it is a good idea to keep your skin in the best
possible condition. This includes eating a healthy diet. Massaging
with a good massage oil or lotion is beneficial for your skin
and feels good too.
ANAEMIA
When you are anaemic during pregnancy,
you tend to feel tired; you easily become exhausted and may even
have dizzy spells or be short of breath. Most likely you are
prescribed iron tablets by your doctor and your blood will be
checked regularly. In addition to the iron tablets, you may adjust
your diet so that it contains more iron. Iron rich foods are:
leafy green vegetables, egg yolk, whole grains, nuts and dried
apricots. Vitamin C helps your body to absorb iron so increase
your vitamin C intake, possibly with supplements.
CYSTITIS
An infection of the urine bladder
is very common during pregnancy owing to changes in the urinary
system. The symptoms include frequent urination and a burning
sensation while you are passing urine. Probably you will be prescribed
a course of antibiotics by your doctor. In addition, there are
some things that you can do yourself to avoid getting cystitis
again.
· Increase your vitamin
C intake.
· Lemon juice, barley water and marshmallow tea are also
effective in preventing cystitis.
· Drink plenty of water.
· Wear cotton underwear.
· Avoid refined starches and too much sugar.
· Avoid using soap to wash your genitals, use just plain
water.
· Wipe from front to back after toilet visit.
· After intercourse, empty your bladder and wash with
plain water.
YEAST GROWTH
Increased vaginal discharge is
normal during pregnancy. If however you feel itchy and your vagina
is red and sore, you may have developed thrush. Thrush is more
likely to develop during pregnancy because your vagina becomes
more acid, encouraging the growth of yeast. If you have thrush
when you go into labor, it may affect your baby's mouth on his
passage through the vagina. A baby with thrush in his mouth may
pass this on to your nipples during breastfeeding, causing extremely
sore and cracked nipples. It may also cause poor healing if you
have an episiotomy. It is therefor advisable to treat thrush
as soon as the symptoms appear. Your partner may also need to
be treated as thrush passes easily during intercourse. Your doctor
will probably describe an antifungal cream or suppositories.
In addition, you can try to avoid getting thrush in the future
by following these suggestions:
· Use all cotton underwear
and change it frequently.
· Wash hands carefully after toilet use.
· Do not share towels and wash cloths with family members.
· Avoid or decrease the amount of sugars and starches
in your diet.
· Eat yogurt containing lactobacillus bacteria.
· Eat vitamin rich foods to boost the immune response
of your body.
HEADACHE
When you experience headache
during your pregnancy, it can be a result of stress, anxiety
or just doing too much. (Severe headache with light flashes in
late pregnancy can be a sign of pre-eclampsia or eclampsia, so
contact your doctor in this case). If you are anxious or worried,
try to find the reason, talk with your partner or your doctor
what could be the reason of your anxiety. If you are doing too
much you should slow down. Listen to your body and find ways
to relax. Take a walk outdoors, lie down in a darkened room with
a cold wash cloth on your forehead. It is best to avoid caffeine
consumption.
INSOMNIA
Nearly every pregnant woman goes
through a period of insomnia. Either you cannot drop off to sleep
or you wake up frequently during the night. Your baby may be
moving and kicking a lot. You need to empty your bladder often.
Maybe you are not comfortable because of your growing belly and
find it difficult to find a right position to sleep. Maybe you
are anxious or worried and lying awake in the dark will make
it even more difficult to fall asleep.
Here are some suggestions that
may be helpful.
· Take a warm bath before
you go to sleep.
· Drink a cup of hot milk or chamomile tea before bedtime.
· Use extra pillows to make yourself comfortable. Lying
on your side is best, with one knee up to the chest and the other
stretched out. Put a pillow under your upper knee.
· A massage, maybe right after you had your bath, will
make you feel pleasantly drowsy and sleepy. Add a few drops of
essential oil of lavender to your massage oil.
· Practice relaxation exercises with some deep breathing.
· Sleep in a well-ventilated room.
PAIN UNDER THE RIBS
In late pregnancy, you may experience
pain under your ribs, at either side, depending on which side
the baby is lying. Sitting straight up on a chair is probably
more comfortable than sitting on a low couch. Try also sitting
on the floor, legs crossed, with your back against the wall or
sofa. Try to lift your ribcage off the uterus. Lifting your arms
above your head is also helpful in relieving the pain.
PELVIC PAIN
In late pregnancy, pressure from
your growing baby may cause pain around the pubic area where
the pelvic joints have softened in preparation for birth. It
is best to avoid standing for long periods and even when sitting
change position often. Practice your exercises, rest regularly
and apply a warm compress at the sore area.
SHORTNESS OF BREATH
In late pregnancy, you may find
yourself short of breath when climbing stairs or doing exercises.
Your enlarged uterus presses against your lungs and makes you
feel breathless. Do not exert yourself, listen to your body when
it tells you to slow down and take plenty of rest.
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
Your blood pressure will be checked
during every visit to your obstetrician. Slight fluctuations
are normal during pregnancy but if your blood pressure rises
significantly it will have to be treated as it may be an indication
of pre-eclampsia, which reduce the efficiency of the placenta.
PRE-ECLAMPSIA
Pre-eclampsia rarely occurs in
the early part of pregnancy and the cause is still greatly unknown.
The risk of pre-eclampsia is highest in first pregnancy. The
symptoms of pre-eclampsia are rising of the blood pressure, fluid
retention that causes swelling in hands or feet and the appearance
of protein in the urine. A rise in blood pressure alone does
not mean that you have pre-eclampsia, and neither does an increase
in fluid retention. The two symptoms together however do point
towards pre-eclampsia.
Treatment of pre-eclampsia varies
on its severity but it usually consists of bed rest and treatment
to lower the blood pressure. You may be admitted to the hospital
where it is easier to check your blood pressure and urine. If
your blood pressure falls and there is no longer protein in your
urine you will probably allowed to go home. You will be advised
to take it easy for the rest of the pregnancy and possibly to
give up work. You will also be seen more frequently by your obstetrician.
With good antenatal care, monitoring
of the blood pressure and checking the urine for protein, pre-eclampsia
usually does not cause further problems. Only in rare cases pre-eclampsia
develops into eclampsia. This situation can seriously affect
you as well as your baby. Eclampsia can cause maternal fits,
coma and placenta failure. Symptoms of eclampsia are: severe
headache, flashing lights, nausea, vomiting and pain in the abdomen.
BLEEDING IN EARLY PREGNANCY
In the early months, it is possible
that you have some bloody discharge around the time that you
would otherwise have your period. This can happen because the
level of the pregnancy hormones is not yet high enough to suppress
the period totally. This bleeding is not from the embryo but
from the lining of the uterus. As long as the bleeding is nor
accompanied by cramps or period-like pains there is a large chance
nothing is wrong, although you should go to bed and report it
to your doctor. You may be given an ultrasound scan to make sure
everything is normal.
BLEEDING IN LATE PREGNANCY
Some bloody discharge in late
pregnancy may indicate that labor is on its way, it is usually
a blood stained mucous plug the size of the palm of your hand.
Bleeding following intercourse
is not uncommon in this stage of pregnancy as the cervix becomes
engorged with blood. Your doctor can examine your cervix and
see if this was the cause of the bleeding. Maybe you will be
advised to avoid deep penetration while having intercourse.
Another cause of bleeding may
be placenta praevia. In this case, the placenta is implanted
in the lower part of the uterus and partly in front of the baby's
head. During normal Braxton Hicks contractions, such a placenta
can start bleeding. Placenta praevia can be confirmed by ultrasound
scan. It almost certainly means that you will deliver your baby
by Caesarean section.
Bleeding in late pregnancy can
also mean that a part of the placenta, situated normally in the
upper part of the uterus, has separated from the uterine wall.
This is called Abruptio Placentae. This is always a potentially
dangerous problem as it can mean that the baby is going to be
cut of from its blood supply. You may have abdominal pain and
dark vaginal bleeding. You should contact your doctor at once
and you will be admitted in the hospital. If apruptio placentae
is diagnosed you will probably be delivered by Caesarean section.
Note: Any blood loss from the
vagina must always be reported immediately to your doctor. It
may be nothing serious but the exact cause of the bleeding must
be diagnosed.
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