Every pregnancy is a unique experience for every woman and every pregnancy will be new and uniquely different. In this series, we will be discussing the minor discomforts in pregnancy and how to handle them.
NAUSEA AND VOMITING
More than 50% of pregnant women are said to be affected by this disorder during pregnancy. The exact cause is not known but it is thought to be an effect of the combination of hormonal changes and some other neurologic factors. This condition often makes you feel like throwing up at the smell and taste of certain things. This, in combination with a few hormonal factors, leads to increased salivation.
REMEDY
1. Eat dry biscuits with a drink before getting out of bed
2. Avoid spicy or pungent odours
3. Eating small frequent meals will help to maintain the body’s blood sugar levels, and taking small amounts of fluid in between meals helps maintain hydration.
This condition usually gets better around 16
th – 20
th week. If the situation worsens, hospitalization may be required. At such a stage, it is known as HYPEREMESIS GRAVIDARUM. Studies have shown that a
balanced diet consisting of fresh food and fruits prior to conception could reduce the incidence of this discomfort.
BREAST CHANGES
Breast tenderness and feeling of fullness are some of the first changes noticed by a woman at the inception of pregnancy. These changes are as a result of hormonal and circulatory preparations for breastfeeding.
REMEDY
Wearing of firm brassieres is encouraged.
FREQUENT URINATION
This could occur in the early months of pregnancy; when the enlarging uterus is in the pelvis, adding pressure to the bladder – thereby reducing its urine containing capacity. It could also occur at the 30
th week when the presenting part becomes enlarged.
REMEDY
There is no specific remedy for this discomfort, but mothers are encouraged to control their fluid intake when going to places where a convenience is not very accessible and at night also, so as to reduce sleep interruptions.
CONSTIPATION
This occurs because progesterone relaxes the muscles of the intestine thereby reducing peristaltic movements/actions. It could also result if high dose of iron therapy is prescribed for a pregnant woman (in case of Anemia).
REMEDY
Regular intake of fluid and diets rich in fibre/roughage, to allow for easy digestion and excretion.
BACKACHE
During pregnancy, a woman’s body undergoes many changes and backache can ensue from the growing uterus causing a change in posture and the influence of a hormone called Relaxin. This discomfort is not limited to any particular trimester, and may span the entire pregnancy period. Please, note that women who have a pre-pregnancy back condition are at higher risk of experiencing more severe aches.
REMEDY
Education on the maintenance of a good posture, adopting appropriate positions when lifting either small children or heavy objects, avoidance of prolonged standing, wearing supporting maternal girdle and
pelvic exercises.
About the Writer: Olufisoye Modupe is a trained Nurse/Midwife and the C.E.O of KIACOPS Mega Concept Nigeria. She is passionately Nigerian and loves to teach expectant couples how to pull through pregnancy successfully.
