Pregnancy in Wyoming can come with an array of discomforts which you may experience frequently, at times or not at all. As a Women's Health Practitioner and Certified Nurse Midwife, I would like to caution you that these discomforts can be expected in moderation, however, if they become severe or intolerable you must contact your healthcare provider immediately. I will list some of these discomforts which I find common in my Ob/GYN practice at Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County and other discomforts can be found throughout the 307 Midwife website. If you have questions or concerns, please contact me at the Women's Healthcare Clinic at Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County.
Backache
There are many pregnancy-related causes of back pain. Pregnancy hormones can relax the ligaments that hold your pelvic and weigh-bearing bones together to help you prepare for birth. As your uterus grows larger, your belly sticks out further. This can weaken your abdominal and back muscles and cause low back pain. Your enlarged uterus may also push on the sciatic nerve, causing back pain and/or weakness or numbness in your legs. This condition is called sciatica and it usually goes away after pregnancy.
Helpful Tips:
Wear low-heel, flat-heel or supportive shoes (no high heels)
Take breaks during the day and rest when possible
Exercise to strengthen your back and abdominal muscles
Heating pad may help reduce pain; never use it on bare skin
Avoid lifting anything too heavy while you're pregnant
Never sit straight up after lying on your back;roll sideways first
Belly (Round Ligament) Pain
During the second half of your pregnancy, you may feel sharp or dull pain on one or both sides of your lower belly. This round ligament pain happens when the ligaments supporting your uterus start to stretch or have spasms. You may notice pain when you're walking, when you cough or sneeze, or if you quickly roll over in bed. Round ligament stretching early in your pregnancy may feel like menstrual cramps. If the pain is especially strong and does not go away and is at any time accompanied by bleeding, call your healthcare provider.
Helpful Tips:
Resting and putting a warm compress or heating pad on the area can help reduce pain
When coughing, sneezing, or rolling over in bed, bend over slightly or bring one leg up to reduce the stretch on the round ligament
Constipation and Bloating
Constipation and bloating are common problems during pregnancy. They can be caused by hormone changes, high levels of iron in prenatal vitamins, and pressure from your growing uterus on your lower bowel.
NOTE: Certain laxatives may cause contractions and dehydration. Bulk-forming agents or stool softeners are the safest option during pregnancy.
Helpful Tips:
Drink lots of water; prune juice helps
Eat high-fiber foods such as vegetables, fruits, and whole grains
Find time to take a walk or do some exercise every day
Eat frequent small meals-these are easier to digest
Avoid processed foods, fatty meats and high-fat dairy
Avoid gassy foods such as beans, cabbage , and carbonated soda
Braxton Hicks Contractions
It is normal for the muscles in your uterus to tighten off and on during your pregnancy. These are known as Braxton Hicks Contractions. Here's what you need to know:
These contractions are usually painless and happen at random times
You may notice them more after physical or sexual activity
As you get closer to your due date, they may become painful and make you think you're in labor
They usually go away when you move around or change your activity.
Call your health care provider if your contractions come closer and closer together, last longer and/or become more painful
Often Tylenol, a warm bath, increasing fluids and rest will make Braxton-Hicks contractions decrease.
Dizzy spells or Feeling Light-headed
It is normal to feel a little dizzy at times during pregnancy. Hormones can cause your blood pressure to decrease and sometimes low blood sugar is to blame. May women begin to feel this more often beginning about 14-16 weeks of pregnancy.
Helpful Tips:
Move slowly when standing or changing positions
Avoid getting too hot, especially in the shower or bath, or standing for a long time
Lay on your left side often when resting and sleeping
Eat frequent small meals or snacks
Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water
Fatigue
Feeling very tired (fatigue) is a common early sign of pregnancy. Some people feel more energy after their first trimester, then become tired again near the end of pregnancy. Fatigue is caused by hormonal and other types of changes. Your body is now providing nutrients for your growing baby and you may be experiencing emotional changes than can leave you feeling more tired.
Helpful Tips:
Try to rest more often, eat healthy and ask for help if you need it. Even though you might not feel like walking or moving, light exercise can help boost your energy
Headaches
You may have headaches during the first few months of your pregnancy. These headaches are caused by blood circulation changes. They usually disappear on their own by the second half of pregnancy. Call your health care provider if your headaches include sensitivity to light, excessive nausea or vomiting, fever, vision problems, weakness, numbness, or speech problems. Certain food or smells can cause headaches.
Helpful Tips:
Try to eat regular meals or snacks and drink plenty of fluids
Getting enough rest and sleep can also help
You can also try applying cold or heat packs to your head and neck area
Tylenol is acceptable to use as a pain reliever but avoid ibuprofen
Heartburn
Heartburn (indigestion) is another common problem. Heartburn causes a burning pain in your chest and throat and sometimes a hacking cough. It is caused by acid that is forced from your stomach into your throat, Heartburn may get worse in the second half of your pregnancy.
Helpful Tips:
Eat 4 to 5 small meals during the day
Don't eat or drink close to bedtime
Avoid fried, acidic (tomatoes, fruit) or spicy foods, caffeine and chocolate
Don't lie flat on your back;put pillows under your head and shoulders
Try over-the-counter antacids like Mylanta, Rolaids or Tums if your provider approves
Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are swollen veins at the opening of the rectum that can become painful, itchy and even bleed. This can happen if constipation causes you to strain during bowel movements. Your growing uterus can also cause fecal movement to slow down.
Helpful Tips:
Eat healthy (especially high fiber) foods.
Drink plenty of water to avoid constipation
Rest on your side
Use ice packs or witch hazel pads on the hemorrhoids
Over-the-counter hemorrhoidal preparations are acceptable such as Anusol or Preparation-H
Soak in a warm tub several times a day
Joint Pain
During pregnancy, your joints may feel achy and loose when you walk. Gaining body weight puts extra pressure on your knees. Swelling can increase stiffness in your hands, feet, hips, knees and ankles. This stiffness makes you feel like you have arthritis. Swelling in your hands can also cause carpal tunnel syndrome or make existing symptoms worse. This condition produces numbness, pain and tingling in your fingers, especially at night.
Helpful Tips:
Wear hand splints to relieve carpal tunnel syndrome
Lie down and rest during the day with your feet up
Reduce the high sodium foods(salt) in your diet
Eat foods rich in Omega 3s (salmon, other oily fish)
Try heat and cold therapy, heating pads/ice packs
Leg cramps
Muscle cramps in your lower legs and feet are normal. They can happen at night and wake you up. If you have frequent, painful leg cramps or you notice redness and swelling in your legs or feet, call our provider right away.
Helpful Tips:
Exercise or walk everyday
Wear supportive shoes
Eat foods high in magnesium
Drink lots of water
Take a warm shower or bath- Epsom salt baths are especially helpful
Ice packs may help
When a cramp occurs, pull the toes forward toward the calf to stretch the back leg muscles- DON'T POINT YOUR TOES- it'll make them worse!
Nausea
Morning sickness is the common term of feeling nauseous (sick to your stomach) and/or vomiting when you're pregnant. It can happen any time of the day and last anywhere from a few minutes to the entire day. Morning sickness usually starts after the first month and goes away after the third month of pregnancy. Some people will experience morning sickness throughout their entire pregnancy.
Hypermesis gravidarum is the most severe form of morning sickness. With this condition, nausea and vomiting can be serious enough to require medical treatment.
Call your healthcare provider it you:
Are losing weight (more than 5 pounds over a week or two)
Have a dry mouth, or unpleasant or fruity taste
Are not urinating very often and your urine is dark and has an odor
Can't keep food or liquid down for more than 24 hours.
Are extremely tired, dizzy or confused
Helpful Tips:
Eat bread or crackers before you get out of bed
Eat cold, bland foods-nothing fried, greasy or spicy
Have regular small meals or snacks during the day
Ginger, lemonade and mint tea can help
Chewable prenatal vitamins may cause less nausea
Vitamin B6 can also help decrease nausea and vomiting. Talk with your healthcare provider about how much is recommended to take
Rapid Heartbeat
During pregnancy, your blood volume increases by almost 50%. Your heart works harder to pump more blood to your uterus. You may feel that your heart is beating more rapidly because it is. This is common and you might even feel a little lightheaded if you've been active. You may also notice it more when you are lying flat on your back. Sometimes a heart irregularity can appear during pregnancy. Call your health car provider if you feel your heart is racing and you're lightheaded when you're resting or feel faint.
Excessive Saliva and Bleeding Gums
You may notice more saliva than usual in your mouth. It's normal for your salivary glands to make more fluid than usual during pregnancy. This seems to be connected to morning sickness and usually goes away later in pregnancy. It is also common for your gums to bleed easier, especially when brushing. This is due to increased blood flow in your vessels. Good dental hygiene is very important during pregnancy. Gingivitis can lead to pregnancy problems due to infection.
Helpful Tips:
Simply spit out the extra fluid if you need to
Mints, chewing gum, eating frequent small meals, and snacking on crackers may help
Increasing fluid intake will also help decrease the thickness of saliva
Use a soft toothbrush and floss twice daily
Keep current on regular teeth cleanings
If a dental infection is suspected, contact your dentist immediately
Shortness of breath
You may feel like it's hard to breathe during the last month or two of pregnancy. This happens because your uterus starts to become large enough to be pressing on your breathing muscles. It is normal to feel more winded when walking, exercising or climbing stairs.
Helpful Tips:
Try moving more slowly, sitting up straight and taking deep breaths from the chest
If you have trouble sleeping due to shortness of breath, prop yourself up with pillows
Try propping the top of your mattress up elevate your head
Stuffy nose and Nose bleeds
A stuffy nose (nasal congestion) is another very common problem during pregnancy. This happens because you have more blood in your body, causing your nasal passages to swell, feel very dry and raw, or start to bleed occasionally.
Helpful Tips:
Saline nose drops or a cool mist humidifier may help ease the dryness
Talk to your healthcare provider before you use any nose sprays
Drinking more fluids may help reduce dryness
To stop a nosebleed, press your finger firmly against the side that is bleeding for a few minutes. If the bleeding is heavy and/or you can't stop it by applying pressure, call your healthcare provider.
Swelling
It's normal to have some swelling in your feet and legs toward the end of pregnancy, especially in hot weather. This happens when your added pregnancy weight slows the circulation rate of fluids to your heart, especially from your feet. At the same time, changing hormone levels can cause your body to hold onto water. If you notice excessive leg swelling or swelling in your face, call your healthcare provider right away. It could be a sign of a blood pressure problem.
Helpful Tips:
Rest with your feet and legs elevated
Wear supportive tights or maternity pantyhose
Avoid standing for long periods
Lie on your side when sleeping or resting
Try regular exercise, like walking or swimming
Drink water and avoid salty foods
Vaginal Discharge
Hormones can create a clear or white vaginal discharge while your're pregnant. If you have a discharge that causes soreness or itching (or has a bad odor) see your healthcare provider. It is common to get yeast or other vaginal infections that need treatment during pregnancy. Vaginal infections can be uncomfortable but are not harmful to the baby. The exception is sexually transmitted infections which can be harmful to your baby. If you suspect that you may have been exposed to any sexually transmitted infection, see your healthcare provider right away. To keep your vagina as free from irritation as possible, use lightweight mini pads if needed, instead of tampons.
Helpful Tips:
Wearing light, cotton underwear can sometimes decrease infections
Do not use douches during pregnancy
Avoid frequent tub baths
Antibiotics can often cause yeast infections for women
Varicose Veins
Varicose veins are soft, blue-colored bulges in your legs. They happen when your veins get weak and swell up with blood. They are easier to see when your're standing up. Pregnancy often makes vein issues worse. As your uterus grows, it can impact the circulation in your legs. This means your veins need to work harder to carry blood back up your legs to your heart. Some people may develop another type of varicose vein around the vulva (opening of the birth canal). Vulvar varicosities are soft, irregular bulging areas than you can see or feel. They can cause pressure, pain and swelling to the vaginal area. To help blood circulation in this area, place a small pillow under your bottom and legs to elevate them when your're lying down.
Helpful Tips:
Take breaks often and rest with your legs raised
Take short walks or do other exercises several times a day
Wear maternity support pantyhose, not knee-highs or thigh-highs
Don't sit or stand in one position for a long time without moving
Don't cross your legs when you sit
These discomforts are not all inclusive but are the more common occurring symptoms. Please do not hesitate to call if you have questions or concerns regarding any symptoms you may have.
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