Congratulations! Now you are carrying your baby.
Pregnancy can be a tough time for some women, as they may face a number of health problems. However, there are solutions! In this series of articles, you will read about different health problems that can occur during pregnancy, along with solutions for each one. Enjoy the reading!
Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy, or morning sickness, is a common occurrence during pregnancy. The exact cause is unknown, but it is believed to be due to hormonal changes or increased sensitivity to odors. There are also certain physiological changes that occur in pregnant women which may contribute to morning sickness.
Solutions
It’s generally a good idea to eat smaller meals more frequently throughout the day instead of just having three big meals. This way you’re not overstuffing yourself and you’re giving your body a chance to digest food properly.
Unpleasant or strong odors can put a damper on your morning sickness. Try to stick with bland food like dry toasts or saltine crackers. For some women, taking vitamin B6 supplements can help with the symptoms of morning sickness.Cut down the intake of fatty food to improve your digestion. Fatty food takes longer to digest and can cause indigestion.
If you’re looking for a way to ease an upset stomach, you might want to try ginger ale or making your own ginger tea. When picking out ginger ale, make sure to check the label to ensure that it contains real ginger. For the tea, you’ll need fresh ginger that you can grate and boil in water.
Some women feel a sense of relief when they use acupressure wristbands for morning sickness, which can be found at most drugstores.
Try not to lie down right after eating. It can make it harder for your body to digest food.
If your symptoms are bad and you can’t handle them, talk to your healthcare provider. They will give you a safe and effective medicine to stop nausea and vomiting.
2. Fatigue
Fatigue during pregnancy is normal, especially during the early and late stages. However, if you’re noticing that you’re excessively tired all the time, it’s important to speak with your doctor. They can help rule out any other potential causes and help you create a plan to get the rest you need.
Being pregnant can be tough on your whole body. You might feel extremely tired due to all the changes your body is going through to sustain the pregnancy, especially the hormonal changes. Plus, lack of adequate night sleep and exhaustion from things like repeated vomiting and nausea can also wear you out. On top of that, you might also be worrying about the pregnancy itself, which can be mentally and emotionally draining.
Solutions
A good night’s sleep is important for everyone, but especially for those in high-stress jobs. If you can manage 9-10 hours of sleep each night, you’ll be ahead of the game. And, if you can sneak in a 15-20 minute nap during the day, that will also help relieve some pressure. Look for opportunities to take a nap in an empty lounge, office desk or conference room.
A healthy diet is important to maintain your energy levels. Fruits, vegetables, lean meats, skim milk, and whole grains are all great options to include in your diet. Drinking lots of water is also key to staying hydrated.
Engage in moderate physical activity like walking.
Stretch your body frequently and breathe deeply.
One way to try and ease some of the pressure that comes with being a product manager is by regulating your schedule. You can try and save some work for the weekend and see if you can negotiate working from home so that you can leave the office early. If leaving early isn’t an option, try and take a break during the day to walk around outside or talk to a colleague to clear your head for a bit.
3. Frequent urination
It’s very common to feel the need to urinate frequently during early pregnancy, but this usually eases up during the second trimester.
When you’re pregnant, you have to go to the bathroom more because your body is processing a lot more fluid. The extra fluid comes from the increased blood volume during pregnancy. The extra blood is processed through your kidneys and sent to your bladder. The pressure on your bladder from the increased size of your uterus also contributes to the urge to urinate.
Second trimester is when you might start to feel relief from frequent urination, as your uterus will grow and rise higher in the abdomen. However, as you approach the delivery date, the baby will drop lower into the pelvis, which will bring the urge to urinate more frequently back again.
Solutions
There are a few things you can do to minimize nighttime urination and get a better night’s sleep. Avoid diuretics such as tea, coffee and alcohol (alcohol is to be avoided during pregnancy anyway). Cut down on your fluid intake after 4 pm, but make sure to drink plenty during the day. When you do have to urinate, lean forward so that your bladder can emptied completely. This will help delay the next urination.
Talk to your healthcare provider if you feel pain, burning, or any other sensation while you urinate. If the color and/or odor of your urine changes, tell your provider as soon as possible.
4. Constipation
Constipation during pregnancy can be a major pain, quite literally. The reason for this is that the hormone levels in pregnant women’s bodies change, which then slows down the digestion of food. This happens because the movement of the intestines slows down. So if you’re pregnant and feeling constipated, know that it’s not just you – it’s your hormones!
Progesterone, known as the pregnancy hormone, is kept at a high level throughout the entirety of a pregnancy. This hormone acts as a muscle relaxer and because of that, it slows down bowel movements. This can lead to waste accumulating in your body if you’re not careful. Another factor that can cause constipation is pressure from the growing uterus on the rectum. And, as if that weren’t enough, iron supplements can also exacerbate constipation.
Solutions
A diet rich in fiber can help with bowel movements. Fiber is undigested and absorbs water, leading to an increase in the bulk of feces. This, in turn, can help stimulate the intestines to work more. Foods that are high in fiber include vegetables (celery, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cucumber, cabbage, tomato, pea, turnip, carrots, radishes); fruits (like orange, apples, pears, prunes); breakfast cereals; whole wheat bread.
Drinking plenty of fluids can also help with constipation by making feces soft.
Moderate exercises like walking and swimming can also help stimulate bowel movement.
5. Heartburn
Many women experience heartburn during pregnancy. Although it is usually harmless, it can still be painful and scary. You might feel a burning sensation extending from the base of your breastbone towards your throat.
Heartburn during pregnancy is caused by increased progesterone levels, which relaxes muscles. This includes the valve separating the stomach from the esophagus, so stomach acids can seep back up. During later pregnancy, when the baby is larger and takes up more space in the abdomen, it puts pressure on the stomach and can cause heartburn.
Solutions
If you want to avoid indigestion and other gastric discomforts, there are certain food items you should avoid consuming, such as carbonated beverages, caffeine, acidic foods, spicy and highly seasoned food, chocolate, processed meats, and fried or fatty foods. It’s also best to not drink large amounts of fluids with your meals; instead, drink them in between meals. Lastly, try to eat small meals more frequently throughout the day instead of big meals. Eat slowly and chew your food properly to aid in digestion.
It’s important to avoid eating anything at least 3 hours before you sleep. Instead of bending your waist, bend your knees. And when you sleep, try to prop yourself up on several pillows so that your head is elevated. If you’re experiencing heartburn, get an antacid from your doctor.
