Aches, Pains, and Backaches

As your uterus expands pains in
the back, abdomen, groin area, and thighs often appear. Many women also have
backaches and aching near the pelvic bone due the pressure of the baby’s head,
increased weight, and loosening joints.

Breast Changes

A woman’s breasts increase in
size and fullness during pregnancy. As the due date approaches, hormone changes
will cause your breasts to get even bigger in preparation for breastfeeding.
Your breasts may feel full and heavy, and they might be tender or uncomfortable.

In the third trimester, some
pregnant women begin to leak colostrum from their breasts. Colostrum is the
first milk that your breasts produce for the baby. It is a thick, yellowish
fluid containing antibodies that protect newborns from infection. If leaking
becomes embarrassing, put nursing pads inside your bra.

Dizziness

Many pregnant women complain of
dizziness and lightheadedness throughout their pregnancies. Fainting is rare but
does happen even in some healthy pregnant women. There are many reasons for
these symptoms. The growth of more blood vessels in early pregnancy, the
pressure of the expanding uterus on blood vessels and the body’s increased need
for food all can make a pregnant woman feel lightheaded and dizzy.

Hemorrhoids

Up to 50% of pregnant women get
hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids are swollen and bulging veins in the rectum. They can
cause itching, pain and bleeding.

Hemorrhoids are more common
during pregnancy for many reasons. During pregnancy there is a huge increase in
the amount of blood in the body. This can cause veins to enlarge. The expanding
uterus also puts pressure on the veins in the rectum. Plus, constipation can
make hemorrhoids worse. Hemorrhoids usually improve after delivery.

Leg Cramps

At different times during your
pregnancy, you might have cramps in your legs or feet. They usually happen at
night. This is due to a change in the way your body processes, or metabolizes,
calcium.

Nasal Problems

Nosebleeds and nasal stuffiness
are common during pregnancy. They are caused by the increased amount of blood in
your body and hormones acting on the tissues of your nose.

To ease nosebleeds blow gently
when you blow your nose. Stop nosebleeds by squeezing your nose between your
thumb and finger for a few minutes. If you have nosebleeds that do not stop in a
few minutes or happen often, see your doctor.

Drinking extra water and using a
cool mist humidifier in your bedroom may help relieve nasal stuffiness. Talk
with your doctor before taking any over-the-counter or prescription medicines
for colds or nasal stuffiness.

Shortness of Breath

As the baby grows, your expanding
uterus will put pressure on all of your organs, including your lungs. You may
notice that you are short of breath or might not be able to catch your breath.

Swelling

Most women develop mild swelling
in the face, hands, or ankles at some point in their pregnancies. As the due
date approaches, swelling often becomes more noticeable. If you have rapid,
significant weight gain or your hands or feet suddenly get very puffy, call your
doctor as soon as possible. It could be a sign of high blood pressure called
preeclampsia or toxemia.

Teeth and Gums Problems

A pregnant woman’s teeth and gums
need special care. Pregnant women with gum disease are much more likely to have
premature babies with low-birth weight. This may result from the transfer of
bacteria in the mother’s mouth to the baby during pregnancy. The microbes can
reach the baby through the placenta (a temporary organ joining the mother and
fetus which supplies the fetus with blood and nutrients), through the amniotic
fluid (fluid around the fetus), and through the layer of tissues in the mother’s
stomach.

Every expectant mother should
have a complete oral exam prior to or very early in pregnancy. All needed dental
work should be managed early, because having urgent treatment during pregnancy
can present risks. Interventions can be started to control risks for gum
inflammation and disease. This also is the best time to change habits that may
affect the health of teeth and gums, and the health of the baby.

Remember to tell your dentist
that you are pregnant! You can ease bleeding gums by brushing with a
soft-bristled toothbrush and flossing at least twice a day. Get more details on
taking care of your teeth and gums during pregnancy.

Varicose Veins

During pregnancy there is a huge
increase in the amount of blood in the body. This can cause veins to enlarge.
Plus, pressure on the large veins behind the uterus causes the blood to slow in
its return to the heart. For these reasons, varicose veins in the legs and anus
(hemorrhoids)are more common in pregnancy.

Varicose veins look like swollen
veins raised above the surface of the skin. They can be twisted or bulging, and
are dark purple or blue in color. They are found most often on the backs of the
calves or on the inside of the leg.

Constipation

Many pregnant women complain of
constipation. High levels of hormones in your pregnant body slow down digestion
and relax muscles in the bowels leaving many women constipated. Plus, the
pressure of the expanding uterus on the bowels boosts the chances for
constipation.

Heartburn and Indigestion

Almost every pregnant woman
experiences indigestion and heartburn. Hormones and the pressure of the growing
uterus cause this discomfort. Pregnancy hormones slow down the muscles of the
digestive tract. So food tends to move more slowly and digestion is sluggish.
This causes many pregnant women to feel bloated.

Hormones also relax the valve
that separates the esophagus from the stomach. This allows food and acids to
come back up from the stomach to the esophagus. The food and acid causes the
burning feeling of heartburn. As your baby gets bigger, the uterus pushes on the
stomach making heartburn more common in later pregnancy.

Stretch Marks and Other Skin Changes

Worried about the dreaded stretch
marks of pregnancy? Just about all pregnant women are. The good news is that
only about half of pregnant women get stretch marks.

Stretch marks are red, pink, or
purple streaks in the skin. Most often they appear on the thighs, buttocks,
abdomen, and breasts. These scars are caused by the stretching of the skin, and
usually appear in the second half of pregnancy.

The color of stretch marks
depends on a woman’s skin color. They can be pink, reddish brown, or dark brown
streaks. While creams and lotions can keep your skin well moisturized, they do
not prevent stretch marks from forming. Most stretch marks fade after delivery
to very light lines.

Other Skin Changes

Some women notice other skin
changes during pregnancy. For many women, the nipples become darker and browner
during pregnancy. Many pregnant women also develop a dark line (called the linea
nigra) on the skin that runs from the belly button down to the pubic hairline.
Blotchy brown pigmentations on the forehead, nose and cheeks are also common.
These spots are called melasma or chloasma and are more common in darker-skinned
women. Most of these skin changes are caused by pregnancy hormones and will fade
or disappear after delivery.

Tingling and Itching

Tingling and numbness of the
fingers and a feeling of swelling in the hands are common during pregnancy.
These symptoms are due to swelling of tissues in the narrow passages in your
wrists, and they should disappear after delivery.

About 20 percent of pregnant
women feel itchy during pregnancy. Usually women feel itchy in the abdomen. But
red, itchy palms and soles of the feet are also common complaints. Pregnancy
hormones and stretching skin are probably to blame for most of your discomfort.
Usually the itchy feeling goes away after delivery.

Rarely, itchiness can be a sign
of a serious condition called cholestasis of pregnancy. If you have nausea, loss
of appetite, vomiting, jaundice or fatigue with itchiness, call your doctor.
Cholestasis of pregnancy is a serious liver problem.

Sleeping Troubles

During your pregnancy, you might
feel tired even after you’ve had a lot of sleep. Many women find they’re
particularly exhausted in the first trimester. Don’t worry, this is normal! This
is your body’s way of telling you that you need more rest.

In the second trimester,
tiredness is usually replaced with a feeling of well being and energy. But in
the third trimester, exhaustion often sets in again. As you get larger, sleeping
may become more difficult. The baby’s movements, bathroom runs, and an increase
in the body’s metabolism might interrupt or disturb your sleep. Leg cramping can
also interfere with a good night’s sleep.

Weight gain

The amount of weight you need to
gain during pregnancy depends upon how much you weighed before you became
pregnant. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)
women who have a normal weight before getting pregnant should gain 25 to 35
pounds. Women who are underweight before pregnancy should gain 28 to 40 pounds.
And women who are overweight should gain 15 to 25 pounds.

Is it Safe to have Sex?

Unless your doctor tells you
otherwise, sexual intercourse is safe throughout your pregnancy. For many women,
pregnancy increases their sex drive. For others, it has the opposite effect. And
almost all women need to try different positions when they start to get large
bellies.

SRC

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