Download 3. Common Discomforts and Relief Measures

3. C
ommon Discomforts
and Relief Measures
COMMON DISCOMFORTS OF PREGNANCY
DISCOMFORT
POSSIBLE CAUSE(S)
RELIEF MEASURE(S)
Fatigue or tiredness
Physical demands of pregnancy, including
changes in processing foods and nutrients.
Greater blood volume makes heart and other
organs work harder. Hormonal changes can
make you feel sluggish or sleepy.
Try to increase rest. Plan extra help
during the first three months of
pregnancy and the last month. Go to
bed early and try to avoid getting up
at night. Exercise moderately.
Breast tenderness;
darkening/leaking nipples
Change in hormones
Wear a supportive bra. Avoid
impact/contact.
Nausea and vomiting
Change in hormones
Eat small, frequent meals. Don’t let
stomach become empty. After sleeping,
eat dry crackers before rising. Get up
slowly. Avoid odors. Call your healthcare
provider if severe.
Dizziness
Pressure of the uterus on large blood
vessels. Anemia or decreased blood sugar.
Don’t lie on your back or stand for long
periods of time. Get up slowly and avoid
sudden changes in position. Don’t skip meals.
Stuffy nose or nose bleeds
Increased blood volume.
Use humidifier. Lubricate nasal passages
with petroleum jelly. If severe, report to
your healthcare provider.
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COMMON DISCOMFORTS OF PREGNANCY
DISCOMFORT
POSSIBLE CAUSE(S)
RELIEF MEASURE(S)
Heartburn
Stomach displaced by growing uterus.
Hormones relax the stomach opening,
allowing acid to enter the esophagus.
Delayed stomach-emptying time.
Eat small, frequent meals. Avoid fatty
or spicy foods. Stay in upright position
after eating. Eat slowly. Prop yourself
up in bed with pillows if heartburn
occurs when sleeping.
Frequent urination
Pressure of uterus on bladder. Possible
urinary tract infection if accompanied
by burning, urgency to go.
Use bathroom frequently. Drink plenty
of fluids. Do Kegel exercises (see page
17) to help tone. Check with doctor about
possible infection. Be patient, as birth of
baby will provide relief.
Constipation
Slower movement of food through
the digestive tract due to the hormone
progesterone, resulting in increased water
absorption from the colon. Pressure on
the intestines as the uterus becomes
larger. Decreased physical activity.
Drink six to eight glasses of water a
day. Increase roughage in diet: fruits,
vegetables, whole grains. Increase physical
activity. Find a bathroom when the need
first comes, don’t wait. If problem persists,
talk to your healthcare provider.
Backache
Softening of ligaments and joints due
to hormones. Posture changes due to
increased weight of uterus. Standing or
sitting for long periods.
Practice good body mechanics and
posture. Don’t bend over to lift; squat
instead. If standing for long periods, put
one foot on box or stool. Change position
frequently. Perform pelvic tilt or rock,
knee-chest position (see page 17).
Wear low-heeled shoes.
Groin pain/round
ligament pain
Round ligaments that hold uterus in
place are stretched. Poor posture.
Standing too long.
Use good posture. In bed, draw knees up
then roll to side. Do not twist-move body
all at once. Bend forward when laughing,
coughing or sneezing.
Leg cramps
Fatigue or chilling. Sitting or standing
for prolonged time that causes pooling
of blood in legs. Pressure of enlarged
uterus on nerves and blood vessels.
Pointing of toes. Lack of calcium.
Never point your toes to stretch. Bring
toes toward head. Increase calcium intake.
Eat bananas. Get adequate rest.
Vaginal discharge
Thickening of lining increases secretions.
Plays a role in preventing infection.
Call your healthcare provider if discharge
becomes foul smelling, causes burning or
itching or becomes watery in the second
half of pregnancy. Wear cotton panties.
Swelling
Pressure of enlarged uterus on blood
vessels. Standing or sitting for long
periods. (Minor swelling is normal.)
Drink six to eight glasses of water daily.
Elevate legs. Rest more. Avoid canned,
processed, high-sodium foods. Wear
support hose. Call your healthcare provider
if swelling is in face or becomes severe.
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BABY STEPS ~ Your Pregnancy Guide
COMMON DISCOMFORTS OF PREGNANCY
DISCOMFORT
POSSIBLE CAUSE(S)
RELIEF MEASURE(S)
Hemorrhoids
Constipation. Increased pressure on blood
vessels and pressure of uterus on bowel.
Straining to move bowels.
Avoid constipation; perform Kegel exercises
to increase circulation. Avoid straining to
move bowels. Use Tucks pads for cleansing. If
inflamed, apply hydrocortisone cream sparingly.
Numbness/Tingling
Arms/wrist: possible carpal tunnel syndrome.
Legs/thigh: uterus increases in size, placing
pressure on nerves.
Place hands on shoulders or elbows. Hold or
hug pillow while sleeping.
If non-medicine measures don’t provide relief, you may use the following over-the-counter medications after
your 12th week of pregnancy. Please follow directions and use in moderation. Call your healthcare provider if
you have any questions or if symptoms don’t improve.
NON-PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS OKAY TO USE DURING PREGNANCY
PROBLEM(S)
NON-MEDICINE TREATMENT
OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICATION
Colds
Bed rest, cool cloth on forehead, increased
fluids (vitamin C juices), humidifier or cool
mist vaporizer. Call your healthcare provider
if you have a fever over 100 degrees.
Lozenges, Vicks VapoRub, Sudafed, Tylenol
Cold, Robitussin Cough, Dristan Nasal Spray
(use only three days), Vicks Dayquil.
Constipation
Increase fluids and fiber in diet. Increase
exercise, walking.
Metamucil, Citrucel, Colace
Diarrhea
Maintain fluids. May need to limit solids,
especially fresh raw fruits and vegetables.
Imodium, Kaopectate. Do not use
Pepto-Bismol; contains aspirin.
Headache, fever,
general body aches
Bed rest, cool cloth to forehead, increased
fluids (vitamin C juices). Call your healthcare
provider if fever over 100 degrees.
Tylenol (Acetaminophen). Do not use aspirin
products or ibuprofen.
Heartburn
Sit after eating. Do not lie down right away.
Prop back up with pillows. Small, frequent
meals. Avoid spicy foods.
Gaviscon, Maalox, Mylanta, Tums
liquid or tablets.
Hemorrhoids
Prevent constipation. Constipation aggravates
hemorrhoids. Sit in warm tub.
Tucks pads, Annusol, Preparation H,
hydrocortisone cream (sparingly).
Itching
Take a warm bath with 2 cups oatmeal, apply
vitamin E oil to affected area.
Aveeno lotion, Benadryl cream.
Vaginal Yeast
Wear cotton underwear. Call your healthcare
provider if not relieved by medication.
Gyne-Lotrimin, Monistat vaginal cream.
Allergies
Avoid allergen if possible.
Zyrtec or Claritin.
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