Pregnancy brings many changes as your baby grows and you may feel uncomfotable at times. The following are common symptoms in pregnancy. Included are some tips to help you feel better.

Possible Cause:

• As your baby grows, your posture changes. This puts extra stress on your spine and on the ligaments and muscles of your back and thighs
• Hormones of pregnancy relax your joints, including joints of your pelvis and spine.

What you can do:

• Wear comfortable low-heeled shoes
• Use good posture
• Practice pelvic tilting

Possible causes:

• As your baby grows, your abdominal organs are pushed upwards
• Hormones of pregnancy relax your joints and can cause tension on the upper back
• As your breasts gain in size and weight this may put more strain on your upper back.

What you can do:

• Do shoulder circles forwards and backwards
• Use good posture
• Have a massage
• Try a warm water bottle or ice pack
• Wear a supportive bra

Possible causes:

• The hormones of pregnancy may slow bowel activity
• As your baby grows, she or he puts more pressure on your bowel.

What you can do:

• Drink 8 to 12 cups of fluids every day
• Exercise regularly (3 to 4 times a week)
• Add more high-fibre foods to your diet like fruits and vegetables. Bran, prunes, and figs are natural laxatives
• Don’t take over-the-counter laxatives unless advised by your caregiver

Possible causes:

• Increased pressure on the nerves in your abdomen can occur as your baby grows
• Extra strain on your legs can be caused by standing all day.

What you can do:

• Avoid standing for long periods or pointing your toes
• Try to rest, put your feet up several times during the day
• Do calf stretching exercises
• To relieve spasms, gently push your foot against a firm surface or have someone gently push against your foot

Possible causes:

• The cause of cravings is unknown but may be due to hormones.

What you can do:

• Eat some of the food you crave, but be sure you’re also eating a well balanced diet
• Some people crave dirt, starch or other non-food items. If this happens, talk to your caregiver

Possible causes:

• Your body contains more blood during pregnancy and it flows more slowly
• Sudden position changes can make you dizzy
• Your baby presses on large blood vessels that return blood to your heart when you lie on your back

What you can do:

• Get up slowly
• Change positions slowly
• Lying on your left side gives you the best blood flow in the main blood vessels behind the uterus
• Make sure you are eating and drinking enough at regular times

Possible causes:

• Hormonal changes
• A growing baby requires extra energy and calories

What you can do:

• Rest often, before you become overtired, and take short breaks with your feet up during the day
• Eat a well-balanced diet. Try smaller, more frequent meals to keep your blood sugar and energy at a constant level
• Exercise regularly
• Reduce caffeine
• If you have trouble sleeping, try using extra pillows for comfort. When you lie on your side, place a small pillow between your knees and one behind your back

Possible causes:

• Your growing baby is pressing on your bladder

What you can do:

• Don’t reduce the amount of fluids that you drink. This could increase your risk of bladder infection
• Reduce caffeine
• Practice pelvic floor (Kegel) exercises

Possible causes:

• Bacteria (plaque) and tartar
• Changes in hormone levels

What you can do:

• Brush and floss teeth daily
• Visit a dental professional and have your teeth cleaned

Possible causes:

• Stretching of ligaments that support the uterus with sudden movement like sneezing, coughing, standing up or turning over
• An increase in blood and fluid in the body

What you can do:

• Avoid sudden movements
• Support your abdomen with your arms when you sneeze or cough

Possible causes:

• An increase of blood and fluid in your body
• Hormones may cause the number and severity of headaches to increase in the first 3 months of pregnancy

What you can do:

• Exercise regularly
• Try relaxation exercises
• Get enough sleep, take naps
• Place an ice pack on the back of your neck. Don’t use heat
• Have a massage
• Don’t take medications unless recommended by your caregiver
• Talk to your caregiver if your headaches are unusual, severe or persist. Headaches can be an early sign of high blood pressure

Possible causes:

• Your growing baby puts pressure on your stomach causing food and stomach contents to back up
• The hormones in pregnancy may slow the passage of food through your stomach

What you can do:

• Avoid foods that make you feel uncomfortable
• Reduce your caffeine intake
• Eat small, frequent meals
• Drink liquids between, not with meals
• Good posture helps digestion
• Walk after meals
• Avoid lying down for 2 hours after a meal
• Sleep with your head raised
• Don’t take medications unless suggested by your caregiver. Some contain sodium bicarbonate which may affect the absorption of vitamins and minerals

Possible causes:

• Pressure on the blood vessels in your rectum can cause a slowing of the blood flow and swelling of the veins
• Swelling of the blood vessels in the rectum can cause burning, itching and some bleeding, but sometimes there are no symptoms

What you can do:

• Avoid constipation and straining when having a bowel movement
• Try not to sit or stand too long
• Try lying on your side
• Do pelvic floor (Kegel) exercises to improve blood flow
• Relax with your hips and legs raised several times a day
• Ice packs, cold packs and hemorrhoid cream may help
• Call your caregiver if bleeding occurs or you have severe pain

Severe nausea and vomiting is called hyperemesis gravidarum 

Possible causes:

• May be caused by hormones, fatigue or even the pressure as the baby grows bigger
• Usually occurs in the first 3 months but can continue longer
• Can happen any time, day or night

What you can do:

• Eat or drink small amounts rather then a few large meals
• Avoid foods that make you feel uncomfortable
• Eat foods high in protein such as eggs, cheese, beans and meat
• Drink liquids between meals, not with meals
• Limit caffeine and avoid alcohol and smoking
• Let others cook. Leave the room while food is being prepared. Open windows and use a stove fan
• Eat a snack at bedtime
• Leave food at the bedside (like dry crackers or toast or plain cookies) for night time nibbling
• Get up slowly and avoid sudden movements
• Try sea bands or acupressure
• Avoid brushing teeth immediately after vomiting. Rinse mouth with water, a fluoridated mouthwash, or a solution of baking soda and water after vomiting. This may help to prevent damage to the teeth
• Do not take medication unless advised by your caregiver

Safe medication may help with severe morning sickness. Call your caregiver if you vomit (throw up) more than twice a day or cannot keep fluids down.

Possible causes:

The pressure from your growing baby may make you feel short of breath

What you can do:

• Use good posture
• Raise your head and shoulders when sleeping
• Wear loose, comfortable clothes
• Try small, frequent meals

Possible causes:

• Extra fluid in your body
• Pressure on blood vessels in your pelvis caused by your growing baby

What you can do:

• Put your feet up as often as possible
• Don’t stay in one position for long periods
• Get up and stretch to improve blood flow
• Exercise regularly
• Rest and sleep on your side
• Avoid tight clothing or shoes
• Do not reduce your fluids
• Use normal amounts of salt but reduce excess salt by avoiding foods with a high salt content , such as potato chips, preserved meats and pickles
• Wear support stockings. Put them on before you get out of bed in the morning
• Sudden, excessive swelling may be a sign of high blood pressure. See your caregiver immediately

Possible causes:

• The flow of blood is slowed because of your growing baby
• The increased fluid in your bloodstream and slowed blood flow may cause swollen veins
• Genetics, varicose veins tend to run in families

What you can do:

• Wear support stockings
• Avoid standing or sitting in one position for long periods
• Don’t cross your legs or feet
• Put your feet up several times a day
• Avoid knee-high stockings that may cut off the blood flow
• Redness, swelling and/or warmth in the area may be a sign of phlebitis (inflammation of the vein) and should be reported immediately to your caregiver