Common Pregnancy Discomforts and Remedies

Most women experience some type of discomfort at some point during their pregnancy. I am currently on my 13th week and, boy! I am going through all the discomforts pregnancy brings once again!

So whether you’re looking for morning sickness relief in your first trimester, or aches and pains relief as the pregnancy gets further along, here are some common complaints and tricks for remedies you can try based on my personal experience, my OB/GYN Dra. Mitch’s explanations & recommendations, free seminars for moms-to-be at Dr. Jesus Delgado Memorial Hospital, and of course, further research. Millennial Moms love to research!

Remember to always speak to your doctor during your prenatal visits if something is bothering you so they can provide you with the best care possible.

NAUSEA AND VOMITING

Anywhere between weeks 5 to 18 of pregnancy, some women may experience nausea, with or without vomiting. It is often referred to as “morning sickness” as this is a common time of day that most women experience the symptoms, though it can happen at any time of day. It is thought that the increased hormone levels of pregnancy and slowed movements of the stomach contents contribute to these feelings.

Remedy:

• Eat small snacks and avoid an empty stomach,
• Carrying crackers or nuts in your bag, so you always have something to snack on throughout the day,
• Stay well hydrated. It’s helpful to drink cold fluids throughout the day,
• Keep a sour candy on hand to suck on
• Always call your doctor if you are unable to keep fluids down, or if you are showing signs of dehydration such as dark colored urine or dizziness.

BACK PAIN

The physical growth of your uterus and hormonal changes during pregnancy may cause a strain on your back muscles causing back discomfort. In addition to carrying an increased weight in the front of your body, pregnancy hormones relax the ligaments of your joints and pelvis, making them more flexible, which can contribute to back pain.

Remedy:

• Regular exercise to strengthen your back and stretch the muscles that support your back,
• Watch your posture when you are standing or walking,
• Be sure to wear supportive and comfy shoes,
• Applying hot or cold therapy to your back is okay –  try both, and do what feels best.

I learned a special exercise from Mommy Mundo’s Pregnant Pause workshop with Ms. Rome Kanapi. Works instantly on relieving my backpain! <3

HEARTBURN AND INDIGESTION

During pregnancy, our bodies create a hormone called progesterone that causes the valve between the stomach and esophagus to relax, which usually prevents stomach acid from passing back into the esophagus, causing irritation and the feeling of heartburn. Many women experience heartburn in their third trimester, when the uterus has grown significantly larger and applies more pressure on the intestines and stomach, pushing what you eat back up into the esophagus.

Remedy:

• Eat small but frequent meals throughout the day rather than three large meals,
• Try avoiding spicy, greasy and fatty foods,
• Wait an hour to lie flat so the food you have eaten is well digested,
• Prop yourself up with extra pillows when sleeping,
• Yogurt or a glass of milk could be a natural way to relieve symptoms of heartburn,
• Consult with your doctor regarding over the counter medications that you might want to try to relieve heartburn.

FATIGUE

While everyone is different when they are pregnant, many women describe a feeling of exhaustion, especially in their first trimester. As our bodies create more nutrients to carry to our growing baby, and hormonal levels alter, in additional to the physical and emotional changes our bodies are going through, many women will have decreased levels of energy as a result. This is a normal part of pregnancy.

Remedy:

• Getting extra rest at times you may feel an increase in fatigue,
• Try getting in bed earlier at night, and squeeze a nap in during the day if you feel your body needs it,
• You may need to adjust your current schedule or routine to accommodate some extra sleep in your first trimester, so be kind to yourself and know that that is okay!

CONSTIPATION AND HEMORRHOIDS

During pregnancy, the bowels often move more slowly. The iron in prenatal vitamins may also contribute to constipation. Sometimes, as the uterus grows and puts pressure on a woman’s bottom, hemorrhoids, which are swollen veins, may appear. If you experience these symptoms, always let your doctor know, so they can guide you for treatment options.

Remedy:

• Drink plenty of fluids! 2-3 liters of water per day is recommended,
• Eat a well-balanced diet that includes high-fiber food choices such as fruits and vegetables,
• For hemorrhoids, many women find a sitz bath, which is soaking your bottom in warm water, will help relieve the discomfort that they are feeling and it also helps to shrink the size of hemorrhoids,
• Make sure you are moving around during the day and avoiding sitting for long periods of time on a hard surface.

I know a lot of pregnant mommies will agree with me when I say IT’S NOT EASY TO BE PREGNANT! Our dear partners in life, hindi kami nagi-inarte lang! Hahaha!

Hang in there, mommies. We’ll all pass this pregnancy stage with flying colors! Soon enough. Happy pregnancy!

Love,

Momma Nish