Pregnancy is an extremely important and life changing experience for a woman and her family members. A pregnant woman can experience various mixed feelings at the same time. One minute you may be overwhelmed with happiness, the other minute you may be overwhelmed with sadness. An expectant mother may experience signs of stress or anxiety due to uncomfortable pregnancy symptoms she is experiencing. Being aware of the underlying symptoms is just as important as taking precautions during pregnancy. That’s because the journey of motherhood facilitates physical and emotional changes that can affect the quality of life for both mother and child. You may also experience some symptoms of discomfort, which can vary from woman to woman.
Here are 5 common pregnancy complaints
1. Back pain
Back pain occurs from the first trimester itself due to several factors such as: B. an increase in hormone levels and progesterone, which causes the ligaments to stretch and contract during pregnancy. During the second and third trimesters, a woman’s body experiences hormonal and postural changes. Weight gain, muscle separation, and lower back and joint pain can occur later in pregnancy.
Back pain can seem inevitable during pregnancy. However, there are precautions to take to treat pregnancy back pain. Here are some tips for treating back pain during pregnancy:
* Get a good amount of sleep
* Use warm compression methods to reduce inflammation and relax tight muscles
* Practice mindfulness techniques like yoga and meditation to reduce stress
* When seated, use a lumbar pillow for extra back support
* Eat a healthy diet
* Practice pregnancy-friendly exercises to strengthen your back muscles and try to maintain good posture
Headaches can be common during pregnancy. Image courtesy: Shutterstock
2. Dizziness
Dizziness is another common pregnancy symptom that occurs during the early stages of pregnancy due to the change in hormone levels to facilitate an increase in blood flow around the body. The increase in blood flow ensures the growth of the fetus in the uterus. However, an increase in blood flow leads to hypotension, or low blood pressure. This leads to dizziness and fatigue, and low blood sugar and low iron levels can also cause dizziness during pregnancy.
Dizziness can be treated or reduced during pregnancy through the following methods:
* By maintaining a healthy diet to avoid iron and sugar deficiencies
* By staying hydrated throughout the day
* By increasing daily movements to keep up with blood flow
* By regularly taking the supplements and medications prescribed by the doctor
3. Hair loss
Women often experience thinning hair or hair loss during pregnancy due to stress. This condition is medically known as telogen effluvium, which can affect some women during pregnancy. Hair loss can also occur due to thyroid disorders such as hyperthyroidism (too much thyroid hormone) or hypothyroidism (too little thyroid hormone), which can be difficult to detect during pregnancy. Iron deficiency is also one of the reasons why hair loss can occur due to insufficient red blood cells, which carry oxygen to various tissues in the body.
Certain preventive measures can be taken for hair loss during pregnancy:
* Eat a healthy and balanced diet by emphasizing foods rich in protein, iron and other important nutrients
* Wash hair gently. Use a wide-toothed comb to avoid pulling on the hair too hard when detangling
* Give your hair a break from harsh chemical or heat treatments
Hair loss can be common during and after pregnancy. Image courtesy: Shutterstock
4. Bleeding gums
Pregnant women are likely to experience symptoms of gingivitis (a common and mild form of gum disease) due to fluctuating hormone changes, along with a decrease in saliva production and morning sickness. Bleeding gums may occur during the second trimester, as well as symptoms of gingivitis, which may progress to the third trimester. Effective measures to reduce bleeding gums include:
* Maintain good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing twice a day
* Consumption of prenatal vitamins rich in vitamin C and calcium
* Practicing home remedies like rinsing the mouth with salt water
5. Wrist pain
Known medically as carpal tunnel syndrome, it is a condition that occurs due to nerve swelling that causes numbness, tingling, or pain in one or both hands. This is mainly experienced during the third trimester of pregnancy. Some measures can be taken to prevent or relieve wrist pain during pregnancy:
* Do a range of range of motion exercises to stretch your wrist
* Apply ice to relieve pain
* Wear a wrist splint to prevent frizzing as it makes the pain worse
Carpal tunnel syndrome can occur during pregnancy. Image courtesy: Shutterstock
The last word
Pregnancy is a journey that brings changes in the lives of both the mother and the baby. It is extremely important for a mother to carefully manage her pregnancy process to recognize the symptoms and take precautions to ensure a smooth and enriching experience. It is recommended that if you experience any unusual symptoms during pregnancy, you should consult your nearest doctor.
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