Symptom
|
Cause
|
Remedies
|
Things to avoid
|
| |
|
|
|
| swollen
feet/ankles |
weight
of uterus and dilation of veins in leg make it harder for blood
to get back to the heart from the legs. This causes swelling
and is made worse by standing for a long time or hot weather |
Rest
on left side, elevate feet frequently, exercise, wear loose clothes
and shoes, drink plenty of water to help your kidneys get rid
of extra fluid. Avoid a diet high in carbohydrates. |
Avoid
water pills and knee-high socks |
| leg cramps |
caused
by poor circulation, not enough calcium, pressure on nerves |
increase
calcium in diet; try a calcium supplement like Tums, stretch
calf muscles by flexing your foot to relieve cramps, apply warm
cloth or heating pad to muscle, put your feet up |
avoid
too much phosphorus in your diet |
| hemorrhoids |
progesterone,
one of the pregnancy hormones, causes the veins around the rectum
to relax; pressure of the uterus blocks the flow of blood from
the lower extremities; straining for bowel movements makes things
worse |
put feet
on large book or foot-stool when having a bowel movement, drink
plenty of fluids, have lots of fiber in your diet (whole grain
bread and cereal, fruits and vegetables), get into knee chest
position to ease pain, apply witch hazel soaked pads ("Tucks") |
avoid
straining and pushing too hard to have bowel movement. avoid
cheese or other foods that seem to constipate you. Do not take
laxatives! |
| backache |
caused
by strain of increased uterine weight on back muscles and ligaments,
made worse by poor posture |
stand
straight, wear flat sloes with arches, sleep on firm mattress,
try pelvic-rock exercises while standing and on your hands and
knees. a maternity belt or sling might help |
avoid
high heels, fatigue |
| shortness
of breath |
progesterone,
one of the pregnancy hormones, makes you feel that you can't
take a deep breath. pressure of the growing uterus on the diaphragm,
and anemia can make it worse |
stand
up straight, sleep with extra pillows to prop upper body up |
stop
smoking! do not exercise to the point of fatigue |
| heartburn |
growing
uterus presses on the stomach, forcing stomach fluids to back
up into the esophagus; stomach empties more slowly during pregnancy |
eat several
small meals instead of large ones; drink liquids between meals,
rather than with a big meal; try papaya enzyme extract, cashews |
check
with midwife before using antacids; don't like down after eating;
avoid greasy, spicy food, coffee, alcohol |
| varicose
veins |
progesterone,
one of the pregnancy hormones, causes the veins to dilate or
relax and not return blood to the heart as well |
elevate
legs frequently, walk daily, put on support hose as soon as you
wake up |
avoid
standing for a long time, sitting with crossed legs, and knee
socks with tight tops |
| constipation |
progesterone,
one of the pregnancy hormones, causes the intestines to slow
down; bowel blocked by growing uterus |
increase
fiber by eating raw fruits and vegetables, and whole grains;
walk; drink at least 8-10 glasses of water a day |
avoid
foods that you know make you constipated - cheese is a problem
for lots of people; don't take a laxative! |
| sleeplessness |
usually
in the last months, caused by difficulty getting comfortable,
frequent trips to the bathroom, worries and baby's movements |
take
a warm bath, drink warm milk or chamomile tea at bedtime, try
a turkey sandwich or a banana before bed; increase B vitamins
by eating whole grains; use extra pillows to get comfortable,
ask someone to give you a back rub, try lavender |
do not
take sleeping pills or tranquilizers, avoid coffee, regular tea,
chocolate and colas |
| mild
headache |
may be
caused by hormones, stress or eye strain. Be sure to report severe
or unrelieved headaches to the midwife |
try neck
rolling exercises, a "rice sock" on the back of your
neck (a tube sock full of uncooked rice and microwaved until
warm, lavender is a nice addition) , peppermint or chamomile
teas, neck massage, cook, wet tea bags on your eyes. 3 regular
or 2 extra-strength Tylenol are ok. |
no aspirin,
no ibuprofen (motrin). avoid MSG (found in Chinese food) |
| bladder
infection |
common
in pregnant women due increased sugar and protein in the urine,
delayed emptying of the urinary tract due to pressure from the
uterus |
drink
lots of water or acid fruit juices (especially cranberry or orange
juice) to increase your vitamin C. Cranberry extract (Cran-actin)
may help.Clean yourself well after going to the bathroom. Be
sure to wipe from front to back. Urinate right before and right
after you have sex. Wear cotton underwear during the day, no
underwear at night. Be sure to tell the midwife if you are urinating
more frequently than usual, or it hurts when you urinate. You
may need medication. |
|
| vaginal infections
( yeast) |
more
common in pregnancy due to changes in the vagina |
same
as for urinary tract infection; eat yogurt with live cultures
daily; acidophilus capsules may be placed in the vagina |
avoid
a lot of sugar and refined flour products, like white bread .
don't wear panty liners. |
| muscle
spasm/pain in lower abdomen or side |
pressure
of baby on nerves and pulling of growing uterus on ligaments;
becomes worse as baby gets bigger and drops |
try soaking
in a warm bath . use pelvic rock exercise or knee-chest position
to relieve pressure |
|
| numbness
in fingers/arms |
usually
due to fluid retention putting pressure on nerves |
sit and
stand up straight, do shoulder circling exercise, sleep with
wrists slightly bent up on a pillow |
avoid
lying for prolonged periods on either arm; avoid sleeping with
your wrist curled up under you |
| nausea
and vomiting |
go
to nausea and vomiting in pregnancy |
|
|
