The ABC's of Pregnancy Discomforts

Most pregnancies are medically uneventful and end happily in the successful birth of a healthy baby. But you still have 40 weeks to wonder whether certain physical and emotional discomforts of pregnancy are serious enough for medical intervention or are minor problems that you can deal with on your own. Welcome to our ABC's of pregnancy discomforts guide!

Remember, you should never hesitate to tell your doctor or midwife about any discomfort or illness you experience while pregnant. 

Abdominal Pain

As your baby grows, your abdominal muscles and ligaments will stretch to make room. Regular exercise will strengthen and tone your abdominal muscles. Most times, changing position or lying down will relieve sudden discomfort. Use a heating pad to relieve aches and pains. Visit your local labour and delivery department immediately if you experience cramping that develops a pattern before 37 weeks of pregnancy, with or without bleeding, or if you experience vomiting with severe upper right-sided abdominal pain.

Back Pain

Almost three in four pregnant women experience back pain in pregnancy. Backache develops due to changes in how your spine, ligaments, and muscles support your growing belly. Try not to stand for long periods and wear comfortable shoes. Sit straight without slouching and elevate your feet when you can. Try sleeping on a firm mattress with pillows for support between your knees. Avoid lifting heavy objects. Physical exercise, swimming, heat, chiropractic care, acupuncture, and massage therapy can help manage symptoms. A pregnancy support belt can also provide relief. As a last resort, over-the-counter pain medication can be used. Talk to your doctor or midwife immediately if you experience severe pain or your ability to move is affected.

Breast Tenderness

Tenderness in the breast area is particularly noticeable during the first three months of pregnancy due to changing hormonal levels that encourage tissue growth. Wear a well-fitted bra that gives you proper support. Avoid overstimulating breast tissue. If you leak small amounts of sticky yellowish fluid, called colostrum, use nursing pads inside your bra. If you notice any suspicious lumps, or dimpling of the skin, or are leaking bloody fluid, talk with your healthcare provider as further testing may be needed.

Bleeding Gums

One in three pregnant women will experience bleeding gums during pregnancy. See your dentist early in your pregnancy for a checkup and cleaning. Brush your teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush and floss regularly. Saltwater rinses can help ease irritation. If your symptoms worsen, contact your dentist for an evaluation.

Constipation

Constipation occurs from pregnancy hormones and the added pressure of your growing baby on your intestines. To keep stools soft and bowel movements regular, eat plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables, whole-grain cereals, nuts, and dried fruit. Drink lots of fluids and exercise regularly. If the problem persists, your midwife can suggest pregnancy-safe stool softeners or adjust your iron pills.

Dizziness And Faintness

About one in four pregnant women suffer dizziness in pregnancy. Light-headedness can be caused by low blood sugar or a sudden change of position, called postural hypotension. Slow down when you stand up or get out of bed. Eat well and frequently. Carry juice boxes or fruit snacks. If you experience chest pain, feel short of breath, or pass out, seek medical assistance immediately.

Excessive Saliva

This surprising discomfort of pregnancy is often combined with more severe forms of nausea and vomiting. Overproduction of saliva usually subsides by the end of the first trimester. Eating smaller meals, sipping water, rinsing with mouthwash frequently, chewing gum, or sucking on candies can help. Talk to your obstetric care provider if you are experiencing anxiety, difficulty swallowing, or experiencing dehydration.

Headaches

Headaches are a common pregnancy discomfort caused by low blood sugar, dehydration, nasal congestion, lack of sleep, and reduced caffeine use. Ensure you get enough rest, eat regularly, and drink enough water daily. Try stress-reduction techniques like yoga or meditation. Avoid aspirin, but Tylenol can be used sparingly for pain relief. If your headaches are severe and do not respond to comfort measures or medication, discuss this with your midwife or doctor as further testing may be required.

Heartburn

Almost four in five pregnant women have heartburn at some point in pregnancy due to hormones and pressure from your growing baby. Avoid heavy meals and spicy, greasy, sugary, or acidic foods. Stick to a bland, well-balanced diet, drink lots of fluids, and exercise daily to help ease acid reflux. Don't lie down right after a meal. Antacids can help if needed. Visit your local labour and delivery department for immediate evaluation if you experience upper right quadrant pain similar to heartburn but cannot find relief.

Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids, painful enlarged veins in the rectum. may develop due to the increased blood flow, pressure in your pelvis, or repeated bowel straining. Eat a well-balanced diet and drink lots of fluids. A warm sitz bath, an ice pack, or pads soaked in witch hazel can relieve itching and reduce swelling. Kegel exercises, designed to strengthen the pelvic muscles, can improve circulation in the area. Talk with your healthcare provider if you cannot find relief.

Itchiness

Hormonal changes, the rapid growth of your belly, and skin sensitivity can cause itchiness in pregnancy. This common discomfort can be relieved by moisturizing dry skin, drinking plenty of fluids, wearing loose clothing, and avoiding heavily scented laundry products. Sometimes an uncomfortable rash will appear on your belly in late pregnancy. If you develop severe itching on your hands or feet or nighttime itching without a rash, you will need to be evaluated by a doctor or midwife as soon as possible.

Leg Cramps

Cramping in your calf or thigh occurs most frequently at night. While the exact cause of leg cramps in pregnancy is unknown, support hose, daily exercise, or slowly flexing your ankle and toes to stretch out leg muscles may help. If painful cramps persist, ask your midwife or doctor about calcium or magnesium supplements. Get checked out at the hospital if your leg becomes swollen or you have persistent throbbing, redness, and tenderness.

Nausea and vomiting are common pregnancy discomforts!

Nausea And Vomiting

Four out of five pregnant women deal with nausea, and almost half of them experience vomiting. You may feel nauseated at any time of the day, typically in the first trimester. Try eating frequent light meals rather than three full meals. Keep your diet high in protein and drink plenty of fluids to keep hydrated. Try 50 mg of vitamin B6 twice a day. If you have persistent vomiting and cannot keep food or liquids down for more than 24 hours, please go to the hospital.

Nerve Pain

Weight gain and pressure from your growing baby can compress the nerves in your lower back, called sciatica. Inflammation and irritation of these nerves cause shooting pains down your leg. Massage therapy, daily exercise, yoga, and gentle stretching can help. Talk with your healthcare provider if you feel numbness, tingling, or a burning sensation that will not resolve.

Numbness

Numbness or tingling sensations in your fingers, hands, or wrist occur from excessive fluid that compresses the nerves in your wrist. Avoid lying on your hands while sleeping or doing repetitive actions like typing, which can cause added irritation. Physical therapy, massage, or wearing a wrist splint can help ease numbness. Let your doctor or midwife know if symptoms persist after birth.

Painful Intercourse

Hormonal changes and increased blood flow can cause vaginal dryness and sensitivity in pregnancy. One in five pregnant people will experience discomfort during intercourse. Explore a variety of positions, use a lubricant, and talk with your partner about each other's anxiety. If symptoms persist, your healthcare provider will check if the source of your pain is from an infection.

Shortness Of Breath

Increasing hormones and pressure from your expanding uterus can cause some breathlessness throughout pregnancy. Maintain good posture, especially when sitting and try sleeping on your side. Listen to your body by slowing down when needed. Go to the nearest emergency room immediately if you experience painful breathing, wheezing, heart palpitations, blue lips, fingers, or toes.

Sleep Problems

Feeling tired, especially in the first trimester, is a normal pregnancy discomfort. Pregnancy hormones, changes in body systems, and other discomforts can all lead to exhaustion. During the last trimester, the physical demands of pregnancy can disrupt your sleep. This is called insomnia. Frequent trips to the bathroom, nausea, vivid dreams and physical discomfort may prevent deep and restful sleep. A few ways to cope with tiredness and/or sleep disturbances are frequent rest breaks during the day, reducing stress, sleeping on your side with pillows to support your abdomen, or taking a warm bath before bed. Avoid sleeping pills. Talk with your obstetric care provider if your sleep problems affect your ability to function properly.

Stretch Marks

Four in five pregnant women experience pink or reddish streaks on their belly, hips, thighs or breast/chest areas. These marks, called stretch marks, are likely due to rapid growth, hormones, and family history, which causes the skin to overstretch. Keeping your skin moisturized, managing your pregnancy weight gain, and keeping hydrated can help to minimize their appearance and severity. These marks typically fade over time after birth but do not entirely disappear. Talk with your doctor or midwife if you are distressed about the appearance or itchiness that stretch marks can cause.

Swelling

Swelling is common in late pregnancy due to the extra blood and fluids your body needs to support your growing baby. This fluid, called edema, can pool in the lower part of your body, causing your legs and feet to swell. To control swelling in your legs and ankles, wear support stockings and avoid standing for long periods. Getting off your feet helps most. Lying down is better than sitting. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you notice severe facial swelling, difficulty breathing, severe headaches, or vision changes.

Urination Problems

In early pregnancy, pressure from your growing baby on your bladder can increase your urge to pee. Nighttime voiding is also common. Issues with leaking urine when you cough, sneeze, or laugh, called incontinence, occur in three out of four pregnant women in later pregnancy. This common, but distressing symptom, is caused by relaxation of the pelvic floor muscles and pressure from your uterus. Managing your fluid intake, pelvic floor exercises, using a sanitary napkin, or lifting the baby off your bladder while urinating helps empty your bladder. Call your midwife or doctor if you experience burning or pain with urination, blood in your urine, or continued leaking lasting longer than six weeks postpartum. Seek the advice of a pelvic floor therapist if you are having incontinence issues.

Vaginal Discharge

A creamy, mild-smelling discharge increases in early pregnancy due to hormones. As your pregnancy progresses and the cervix softens, this discharge usually becomes heaviest in the last few weeks. You may choose to wear a panty liner but do not use tampons or douche. Report any pink or brown spotting, vaginal itching, or foul-smelling discharge, or call your obstetric care provider immediately if you experience active bleeding.

Varicose Veins

Hormonal changes, increased blood flow, and the additional weight of your uterus can cause the veins in your legs to enlarge, turn purple, and become itchy. Sometimes you may also see these veins around your groin. Exercising regularly, using compression stockings, raising your feet when sitting, and sleeping on your side can lessen discomfort. Usually, these veins will shrink after pregnancy, but not always. Seek medical assistance immediately if your leg becomes swollen or you have persistent throbbing, redness, and tenderness.

References:

Jordan, R. G., Farley, C. L., & Grace, T. K. (2018). Prenatal and postnatal care: A woman-centered approach (2nd ed.). Wiley-Blackwell.

King, T. L., Brucker, M. C., Osborne, K., & Jevitt, C. M. (2018). Varney’s midwifery (6th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Marshall, J. E., & Raynor, M. D. (2014). Myles textbook for midwives (16th International edition). Churchill Livingstone.

Romm, A. J., & Gaskin, I. M. (2014). The natural pregnancy book: Your complete guide to a safe, organic pregnancy and childbirth with herbs, nutrition, and other holistic choices (Revised ed.). Ten Speed Press.

Simkin, P., Whalley, J., Keppler, A., Durham, J., & Bolding, A. (2018). Pregnancy, childbirth, and the newborn (5th ed.). Adfo Books.