PREGNANCY AND MOST FREQUENT COMPLAINTS
Most of the following complaints diminish or disappear without the use of medication.
Medication should be avoided to the maximum.
Where these complaints do not disappear or become persistent, they might be manifestations of more complex diseases.
Nauseas and vomits
They are common at the beginning of pregnancy. When they occur at the end of pregnancy they may be related to important diseases, and it must always be communicated to your doctor.
Here are some guidelines for the pregnant woman: split the diet (eat more often but smaller portions at each meal), avoid fried dishes, fats and strong or foul-smelling foodsr; avoid having fluids during the meals, rather drinking in the intervals.
If the symptoms become very frequent, your doctor will evaluate whether or not to use medication.
Pyrosis – heartburn – burning sensation
It is common as from the first quarter of pregnacy. Generally, it should improve with a fractioned diet pattern, decreasing your intake of fried dishes, coffee, tea, pepper, alcohol and tobacco.
General measures as not lying down after meals and raising the headboard of your bed are also beneficial.
At the doctor's discretion, the pregnant woman will be able to make use of medication.
Hypersalivation – excess salivation – sialorrhea
Very common at the beginning of pregnancy. Itis advised to swallow the excess saliva and to follow the same procedures indicated for nauseas and vomits.
Weaknesses and collapses
It can occur after sudden changes of position and, also, when the pregant woman has not eaten.
Pregnant women should not fast for long periods. Generally, lying preferrably on your left side and breathing calmly and deeply eases the sensation of weakness and collapse.
Hemorrhoids
They are common, especially in last the three months of pregnancy, after childbirth and also in pregnant women who already suffered from it before the pregnancy.
Pregnant women should try to keep a regular intestinal habit (bowels in good working order). Whenever the stools are hard, causing difficulty to have a bowel movement, hemorrhoids can bleed or ache.
Fiber-rich diets and the intake of fluids assist in the functioning of the intestines.
Vaginal Discharge
The increase of vaginal flow (leukorrhea, discharge) is common in pregnant women. The normal vaginal flow does not cause itch,foul smelling, burning or pain during intercourse.
Consult with your doctor whenever you feel any of the symptoms above.
When breaking of the water bag occurs (one of the childbirth signs), the patient may make reference to vaginal discharge. It is always necessary to inform your doctor when there is suspicion of rupture of the water bag with drainage of amniotic fluid
Urinary complaints
The increase in the number of micturitions is common during pregnancy, especially at the beginning and at the end, due to uterine enlargement and compression of the bladder. As the urinary infection is more common in pregnant women, whenever there is burning, pain, blood, or fever, during urination, your doctor must be communicated.
Shortness of breath – dyspnea – difficulty breathing
The increase of the uterus and the increase of the respiratory frequency of pregnant women can cause these symptoms. Generally, rest, lying on the side, eases the shortness of breath. If are there other symptoms associated (cough, fever, swelling), it might be a sign of an associated cardiac or respiratory illness.
Breast Pain
Breasts increase their volume during pregnancy, which frequently causes pain.
Pregnant women should wear a bra with a good support. The examination of the breasts generally discards more severe mammary problems.
Back Pain – lumbar pain – joint pain
Due to a greater joint mobility during pregnancy, women may frequently experience back and joint pain, such as the knee and the ankle.
Pregnant women tend to have a posture that causes back pain (increase of lordosis – it is advised to put the abdomen forward and hip backwards). The excessive increase in weight also increases the incidence of osteoarticular pain.
How to prevent it:
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avoid excess weight gain |
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to make exercises regularly |
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keep an adequate posture |
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avoid using high,uncomfortable, heels |
Headache – Migraine – cephalea
Headaches, most frequently, are associated with stresses, conflicts and fears; however, they can be associated with more severe conditions. High blood pressure should always be ruled out. Your doctor will evaluate the need for medication use.
Bleeding gums
During pregnancy it is rather common to bleed from mucous membranes (nose, gums) since, in addition to neovascularization in the mucosae, their tiny blood vessels become more fragile. The most frequent cause of gingival bleeding is chronic gum inflammation.
You must brush you teeth with a soft brush, massage your gums and use dental floss. This symptom must be reported to your doctor (0ccasionally, it can be associated with other blood coagulation disorders ) and to your dentist, as well.
Edema in the legs – swelling
Swelling of the lower limbs occurs especially at the end of pregnancy. Where it is not associated with a loss of proteins in urine and with high blood pressure, it will typically reflect a characteristic fluid accumulation of pregnancy.
There are positions that make difficult the venous return (return of the blood from the legs to the heart). Pregnant women with edema should not be in a standing up (still) position, or seated for a long time. It is advised to exercise the legs (to walk).
Edema also decreases in the lying position (preferrably on the left side) and, also, with legs elevated above heart level.
Another important measure is to remove rings from hand fingers, since edema in the hands may occasionally occur, making it difficult to take them off.
Cramps
Cramps may can occur during pregnancy, usually after overexertion.
When it occurs, the muscle must be massaged, and local heat may be applied.
Pregnancy Chloasma – patches on the face – melasma
Dark patches in the skin may occur during pregnancy. They use to decrease in up to 6 months after delivery; however they persist in some women.
They are similar patches to the ones occurring from the use of contraceptive pills. Pregnant women affected must avoid sun exposition.
stretch marks
Stretch marks result from the stretching of the tissue under the skin. There is no effective way to prevent them. While not getting very fat is important in order to decrease its incidence, there is an individual predisposition to develop stretch marks.
While controversial, it is recommended local massage with oily substances over the tissues most prone to stretch marks (abdomen, breasts and thighs).
Your doctor will be able to indicate a massage cream for your skin.
Creams should not be applied over the nipples. Stretch marks are initially purplish and overtime they become whitish.