| You are in >Health Channels>Women's Health>Pregnancy Issues |
| Pregnancy Issues
|
|
| |
| |
|
| Backache |
| Backache is common with pregnancy, often rooted in
poor posture. The increase in body weight, the muscle relaxing effects of the hormone
progesterone and the shift in one's center of gravity contribute to the problem. |
| Suggestions |
- To minimize back pain during pregnancy, do not stay in any one position for a long
period of time.
- Pay attention to your posture. Keep your shoulders relaxed and back as straight as
possible at all times.
- Include two to three minutes of gentle stretching exercises in your daily routine. Do
not do any forward bonding or strongly upward stretching exercises, however.
- Do not wear high-heeled shoes. High heels throw your body off balance and put extra
strain on your back. Instead, wear well fitting, well-padded flat or low-heeled shoes that
support your feet and provide ample room for your toes. Be aware that you may require a
different size shoe than normal while you are pregnant.
- When your back hurts, try soaking a small towel in cider vinegar. Squeeze off any excess
and lie down on your side in bed. Spread the towel directly across your back. Relax this
way for fifteen to twenty minutes.
back
to top |
|
Edema
(Swelling) of the hands and feet |
| The rise in oestrogen in the body during pregnancy
increases the tendency to retain fluids. This can cause some swelling of the hands and
feet and is considered normal. |
| Suggestions |
- Remove any rings you wear on a regular basis. Do not wait or the rings may have to be
cut off.
- As soon as you notice your hands, legs or feet getting puffy or larger than usual, tell
your health care provider. While some swelling is acceptable, a professional should
nevertheless evaluate the condition, as edema can also be the first sign of toxemia, a
potentially serious complication of pregnancy.
- Avoid salt and all highly processed foods, while maintaining a well-balanced high
protein diet. Do not take diuretics (water pills).
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing and properly fitting shoes. You may require a larger
size shoe than normal. Once the baby arrives, your feet will return to normal.
- Do not sit with a weight such as another child on your lap, as this impedes circulation.
Walk one mile each day. This helps to keep this condition under control.
back
to top |
|
Constipation |
| Hormonal changes during pregnancy have a relaxing
effect on the muscles, including those of the digestive tract. The increasing level of
progesterone in your system makes the bowels less efficient. The normal rhythmic
contractions of the intestines slow down and the result can be constipation. |
| Suggestions |
- Eat fresh and dried fruit such as prunes, raisins and figs. Eat fresh vegetables and
salads containing a variety of vitamins daily.
- Increase the amount of fiber in your diet. Whole-grain cereals and bran are helpful.
Begin by taking 2 teaspoon of bran in a glass of apple juice twice daily. The bran may
cause some gas until your system is used to it, but after that you should not have any
difficulty.
- Drink six to eight glasses of liquid, including water, each day.
- Walk at least a mile a day and set a regular time each day for bowel movement. This is very helpful for digestion
and elimination. Elevate your feet and legs during elimination to relax the anal muscles.
- If all else fails an enema using body temperature water may be used occasionally.
- Do not take over the counter laxatives unless specifically recommended by your doctor.
back to top |
|
|
Bleeding Gums |
| During pregnancy, increasing estrogen levels cause
the gums to swell and become somewhat softer than normal. The circulation of blood to them
also increases. This makes gums more prone to bleeding and infection, especially if good
oral hygiene is not maintained. |
| Suggestions |
- Be sure your diet contains enough calcium and high quality complete proteins.
- Increase your intake of foods rich in vitamin C, as a deficiency in this vitamin can
contribute to bleeding gums.
- If you smoke, quit preferably before you get pregnant. Cigarette smoking reduces the
oxygen supply to the developing foetus and also drains vitamin C from the body.
- Brush your teeth three to four times a day (remembering to rinse your mouth well) and
massage your gums with fingers when necessary. Floss your teeth daily.
- See your dentist at least once during the pregnancy, but do not have any x-rays taken.
back
to top |
|
Leg Cramps |
| Leg cramps are often a result of nutritional
deficiency and/or electrolyte imbalances, in addition to the strain placed on the legs by
the extra weight. |
| Suggestions |
- Increase your calcium and potassium intake by eating foods such as almonds, bananas,
grapefruit, low-fat cottage cheese, oranges, salmon, sardines, sesame seeds, soy products
(such as tofu) and low fat yogurt to help avert leg cramps. Adequate calcium is also
needed to help prevents high blood pressure, often seen in late pregnancy, as well as for
foetal development.
- While sleeping or sitting, elevate your legs so that they are higher than your heart.
- Do not stand in one place for too long. Shift your weight from one leg to the other
every few minutes.
- Do not point your toes.
- Walk at least a mile every day to stimulate the circulation of blood through the legs.
- To relieve cramps, flex your feet, with your toes pointing upward.
- When experiencing a cramp, apply a hot water bottle or heating pad to the cramping area
and apply pressure with your hands.
back
to top |
|
Insomnia |
| Insomnia is very common during the last weeks of
pregnancy when finding a comfortable sleeping position becomes difficult. Deficiencies of
vitamin B also can cause insomnia. The emotional changes that accompany pregnancy often
contribute to sleep difficulties as well. |
| Suggestions |
- Increase your intake of foods rich in the B vitamins. Do not force yourself to sleep if
you are not really tired. Read or do non-strenuous chores until you feel sleepy.
- Try drinking a cup of hot herbal tea with honey or lemon before bed or in the middle of
the night.
- Arrange pillows behind or under your abdomen to relieve breathlessness.
back
to top |
|
|
|
