Pregnancy complaints and helpful tips

Tiredness and exhaustion

Especially during the first three months of pregnancy most women feel like sleeping all the time. Everything feels a little harder — even familiar tasks or sport become an effort.

Cause:

• The exhaustion is due to hormonal changes. In addition to the pregnancy hormone HCG, more of the calming hormone progesterone is produced. The placenta grows and blood volume increases. This extra work tires the body further.

What helps?

• Plenty of rest, relaxation and lots of fluids. Treat yourselves to more frequent breaks and go for walks in the fresh air to get the circulation going.

Nausea and loss of appetite

Nausea and vomiting are among the most common complaints in the first three months of pregnancy. The severity of the symptoms varies from mild discomfort to repeated vomiting over several days.

Cause:

• A likely trigger for the nausea is the rise in HCG levels in the blood. The pregnancy hormone also makes women more sensitive to smells and tastes.

What helps?

• You can’t really avoid the nausea, but fortunately it usually passes soon. Many women find a small sweet snack immediately after waking — for example a biscuit — helpful. If the nausea is very severe and persistent, your doctor can prescribe medication.

Constipation

Constipation can recur during pregnancy. A bloated, painful stomach is uncomfortable and causes temporary loss of appetite.

Cause:

• The rise in HCG and progesterone levels makes the bowel sluggish. At the same time the body needs a lot of fluid for the additional blood formation. This can lead to a fluid deficit that may cause constipation.

What helps?

• Drink plenty of fluids — ideally a large glass of lukewarm water as soon as you get up and at least two litres of water, tea or diluted juices during the day. Fibre‑rich foods and gentle exercise stimulate digestion. Take laxatives only in consultation with your doctor.

Heartburn

When the nausea of the early months has subsided, many pregnant women experience more heartburn. Especially in the evening or if you have eaten fatty or strongly spiced food, you feel a sour burning in the lower throat area.

Cause:

• The lower oesophageal sphincter, which normally prevents stomach acid from rising into the oesophagus, relaxes because of the pregnancy hormones. In addition, the stomach is increasingly pressed by the growing uterus so stomach acid rises more easily.

What helps?

• Proven home remedies for heartburn are almonds or white bread, slowly chewed. A sip of milk can also help. For heartburn in the evening and at night an extra pillow that keeps your head higher than your body in bed helps. Basically you should eat smaller portions more often, chew well and avoid hard‑to‑digest foods.

Back pain / sciatica

The bigger the baby in your belly gets, the more you will notice the extra weight on your back. Standing or lying for extended periods can become very uncomfortable and lead to painful tension in the lower back.

Causes:

• Because of the baby bump the centre of gravity shifts forward, forcing the woman into an arched lower back. This strains the spine. At the same time the growing uterus can press on the sciatic nerve, which may cause pain.

What helps?

• Regular swimming, yoga and light exercises train the back muscles and help release tension. Flat shoes and, if necessary, a „Baby-Belt“ relieve the spine and support an upright posture. If home remedies such as a hot water bottle, a cherry‑stone cushion and gentle massages do not bring relief, you can try acupuncture. Many midwives offer this as an additional service.

Varicose veins, aching legs and spider veins

Aching legs and varicose veins occur mainly in the last months of pregnancy. Fortunately they usually disappear again on their own after childbirth.

Causes:

• Tissue loosens with the hormonal changes and the body pumps up to 35% more blood through the veins. This favours the temporary formation of varicose veins.

What helps?

• Regular movement and putting your legs up more often. Compression stockings (please order in your individual size) relieve leg pain and help to prevent varicose veins.

Haemorrhoids

Haemorrhoids arise for the same reason as varicose veins, namely because the vessels widen during pregnancy and blood volume increases. Like varicose veins, haemorrhoids are usually temporary. They are still bothersome, however.

What helps?

• Try to avoid constipation by drinking plenty, getting enough exercise and taking one tablespoon of crushed linseed (ground flaxseed) daily. Don’t strain during bowel movements. Sitz baths with oak bark or calendula help relieve pain.

Image credits

Pregnant woman reaches for her shoulder and back © NDABCREATIVITY – stock.adobe.com

Pregnant woman holds a teacup in her hand © saulich84 – stock.adobe.com