Your body will be constantly changing during pregnancy, which might cause some discomforts. Some discomforts might occur in the early weeks of pregnancy, while others will occur only as you get closer to delivery. Other discomforts might appear early and then go away, only to come back later. This is normal and usually does not mean something is wrong.
Some of the most common discomforts and ways to relieve them are described in this handout. Every woman’s pregnancy is unique, and some of these discomforts might not affect you. Discuss any concerns about your discomforts with your health care provider.
Your body will be constantly changing during pregnancy, which might cause some discomforts. Some discomforts might occur in the early weeks of pregnancy, while others will occur only as you get closer to delivery. Other discomforts might appear early and then go away, only to come back later. This is normal and usually does not mean something is wrong.
Some of the most common discomforts and ways to relieve them are described in this handout. Every woman’s pregnancy is unique, and some of these discomforts might not affect you. Discuss any concerns about your discomforts with your health care provider.
Sharp, shooting pains on either side of your stomach might result from the stretching of tissue supporting your uterus. These pains might also travel down your thigh and into your leg.
The muscles in your uterus will contract (tighten) from about the fourth month of pregnancy. Irregular infrequent contractions are called Braxton Hicks contractions (also known as false labor pains).
Signs of preterm (premature) labor:
Backaches are usually caused by the strain put on the back muscles, changing hormone levels and changes in your posture.
The increase in your volume of circulation and supply of certain hormones might cause tenderness, swelling and bleeding of gums.
Your breasts will increase in size as your milk glands enlarge and the fatty tissue increases, causing breast firmness and tenderness in the first and last few months of pregnancy. Bluish veins might also appear as your blood supply increases. Your nipples will also darken and a thick fluid called colostrum might leak from your breasts. All of these changes are normal.
Your hormones, as well as vitamins and iron supplements, might cause constipation (difficulty passing stool, or incomplete or infrequent passage of hard stools). Pressure on your rectum from your uterus might also cause constipation.
Finding a comfortable resting position can become difficult later in pregnancy.
Your growing baby requires extra energy, which might make you feel tired. Sometimes, feeling tired might be a sign of anemia (low iron in the blood), which is common during pregnancy.
During the first trimester, your growing uterus and growing baby press against your bladder, causing a frequent need to urinate. This will happen again when the baby’s head drops into the pelvis before birth.
How often headaches occur and how bad they are can vary.
Heartburn (indigestion) is a burning feeling that starts in the stomach and seems to rise to the throat. It occurs during pregnancy because your digestive system works more slowly due to changing hormone levels. Also, your enlarged uterus can crowd your stomach, pushing stomach acids upward.
Hemorrhoids are swollen veins that appear as painful lumps on the anus. They might form as a result of increased circulation and pressure on the rectum and vagina from your growing baby.
Pressure from your growing uterus can cause leg cramps or sharp pains down your legs.
You might have a “stuffy nose” or feel like you have a cold. Pregnancy hormones sometimes dry out the lining in your nose, making it inflamed and swollen.
Nausea can occur at any time of the day but might be worse in the morning when your stomach is empty (this is often called morning sickness) or if you are not eating enough.
Nausea is a result of hormonal changes and most often occurs early in pregnancy until your body adjusts to the increased production of hormones.
You might feel short of breath when walking upstairs or walking briskly.
Stretch marks are a type of scar tissue that forms when the skin’s normal elasticity is not enough for the stretching required during pregnancy. They usually appear on the abdomen and can also appear on the breasts, buttocks or thighs. While they won’t disappear completely, stretch marks will fade after birth. Stretch marks affect the surface under the skin and are usually not preventable.
Pressure from the growing uterus on the blood vessels carrying blood from the lower body causes fluid retention that results in swelling (edema) in the legs and feet.
Increased blood supply and hormones cause your vagina to increase normal secretions. Normal vaginal discharge is white or clear, non-irritating and odorless and might look yellow when on your underwear or panty liners.
An increased volume of blood and the pressure of your growing uterus can slow your circulation sometimes causing the veins in your legs to become larger or swollen.
Although varicose veins are usually hereditary, here are some preventive tips:
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