Minor Discomforts in Pregnancy and Management

Digestive System Discomforts

• Nausea and vomiting ( morning sickness)

• Constipation

• Acidity and heartburn

• Abdominal discomfort

Nausea and Vomiting

Due to higher levels of HCG (10 weeks)

HCG (human Chorionic Gonadotropin)

Hormone produced by the placenta during pregnancy and its detection in blood or urine is the basis for pregnancy

Management of Morning Sickness

• Dietary Changes

• Symptomatic Treatment

• Avoid disagreeable odors, spicy or oily foods

• Take medications when indicated and prescribed

Constipation

Due to the effect of progesterone, it diminished physical activity and pressure of the gravid uterus on the pelvic colon

Iron supplements also can contribute

Management of Constipation

• Eating high fiber foods

• Regular exercise

• Drink at least 6 glasses of water per day

Acidity and Heartburn

Due to the growing uterus pressing on the stomach, rising progesterone levels and decreased gastric motility (coordinated movement of the muscles and secretions of the stomach)

Management of Acidity and Heartburn

• eating slowly

• Eat frequent, small meals

• Drinking milk between meals

• To avoid over eating and not to go to bed immediately after the meal

• Avoid fatty and gas forming foods

Abdominal Cramps

Due to pressure, pelvic heaviness is caused by the weight of the uterus on the abdominal wall.

Flatulence (farting) and distention (abnormal swelling in the body) can be due to large meals, gas-forming foods, and chilled drinks

Management of Abdominal Cramps

• Rest ( lateral recumbent position)

• Dietary modifications

• Exercise

Musculoskeletal System Discomforts

• Fatigue

• Backache

• Leg Cramps

Fatigue

a normal and common symptom during pregnancy, particularly in the first and third trimesters, as your body works hard to support a new life

Management of Fatigue

• Prioritize rest and naps. Go to bed earlier and modify your sleeping position

• manage stress

• exercise moderately

• eat frequent, smaller meals

• focus on iron and protein. limit caffeine and sugar

• stay hydrated

• lighten your load

Backache

Common in pregnancy (50%)

Due to weight gain, hyper lordosis, high heel shoes, urinary infection or constipation

Management of Backache

• Encourage rest

• Avoid excessive weight gain

• Sleeping on a firm mattress

• Wear appropriate, well-fitting shoes

• Avoid high-heeled shoes

• Apply local heat and light massage

Leg Cramps

Common and worse at night; may be due to vitamin D deficiency; due to ischemia and changes in pH or electrolyte status

Management of Leg Cramps

• patient lie on her back

• Getting regular exercise, especially walking

• Eat a diet with adequate calcium or prescribed calcium

• Take the prescribed vitamins B and D per doctor's instructions

Circulary Discomforts

• varicose veins

• Hemorrhoids

• Syncope ( fainting)

• Ankle Edema

Varicose Veins

Veins that have become enlarged and twisted ( later Months)

Due to weakness of the vascular walls

MGM of Varicose Veins

• Wearing support shoes

• Elevating the feet when sitting

• Lying with the feet and hips elevated

• Get adequate rest

• Perform moderate exercise

• Avoid leg crossing, long time standing or sitting, constrictive clothing

• Avoid obesity

Hemorrhoids (Piles)

A swollen vein or group of veins in the region of the anus

MGM of Hemorrhoids

• Soaking in a warm sit’z bath

• Sitting on a soft pillow

• Eating high fiber food and avoid constipation

• Drinking sufficient fluids

• Increasing exercise

• Applying ointment, drugs taken if needed

Syncope/Fainting

Presents with dizziness or light headache; other causes may be dehydration, hypoglycemia, prolonged standing, standing upright suddenly (orthostatic hypotension)

MGM of Fainting

• sitting with the feet elevated

• Avoid prolonged standing

• Changing position to left lateral recumbent to relieve the pressure of the uterus

Ankle Edema

Due to weight or evidences of pre-eclampsia; generalized Edema is always serious and must be investigated

MGM of Ankle Edema

• edema subsides on rest with slight elevation of the limbs

• Maintain good posture

• Restrict excessive salt intake

• Avoid prolonged standing and sitting

Respiratory System Discomfort

Breathlessness

Breathlessness

Due to progesterone, allergic problems (12th weeks)

Management of Breathlessness

Take a proper rest

Nervous System Discomforts

Insomnia and Headache

Insomnia

Discomfort caused by the fetal movements, frequency of micturition, some anxiety or fear ( late pregnancy)

Lordosis

A prominent inward curve of the spine; a common and normal physical change during pregnancy

Management of Insomnia

• Take rest in the afternoon

• Drink a glass of warm milk at bed time

• Tuck a pillow under the abdomen when lying in a left lateral position

• Talk about her fear and anxiety so that she can have a sense of normality and lightness

Headache

Common and usually due to tension

Severe, persistent headache due to preeclampsia, eclampsia (3rd Trimester)

Management of Headache

• changing position slowly

• Regularly check BP

• Eating small snack

• Use PCM only if prescribed by physician

Genitourinary System Discomforts

Leucorrhoea/ Leukorrhea and urinary symptoms

Leukorrhea/ Vaginal Discharge

White or yellowish mucous discharge from the vagina

Mgm of Leukorrhea

• proper cleansing hygiene

• Wear cotton underwear

• Cleans the vulva at least once a day with a soap and water and to dry thoroughly

Urinary symptoms

• Urinary frequency and stress incontinence in Multipara are common, especially in advanced pregnancy

• Due to increased intra-abdominal pressure and reduced bladder capacity

• Suspect urinary tract disease if dysuria or hematuria is present

Dysuria

Painful or uncomfortable urination, often described as burning or stinging sensation in the urethra or surrounding areas

Hematuria

Blood in the urine

Management of Urinary symptoms

• limiting fluid intake in the evening

• Voiding at regular intervals

Striae Gravidarum

Pregnancy stretch marks

Striae Gravidarum

Reddish, slightly depressed streaks in the abdominal wall, breasts and thighs

Chloasma

Brownish patches of the pigment on the face

Pregnancy stretch marks/ Striae Gravidarum

Scarring of the skin in the abdominal area

Linea Nigra

Dark vertical line that appears from navel to pubis;

Line of dark pigment extending from the umbilicus down the midline to the symphysis

Chloasma

Mask of Pregnancy

Chloasma

Brown patches of pigmentation on forehead, cheek and neck

Disorders that require immediate action

• Vaginal Bleeding

• Reduced fetal movement

• Frontal or recurring headache

• Rupture of the membrane

• Sudden nausea and sickness

• Epigastric Pain

Hyperemesis Gravidarum

Severe vomiting and nausea during pregnancy

Sacral Dimple

Inward dent in the spine of the baby during pregnancy

Lumbar Lordosis

Inward dent in a pregnant person’s spine

Vaginal Bleeding

Miscarriage/ abortion

Preeclampsia

Frontal frontal or recurring headache

High blood pressure (hypertension) disorder that can occur during pregnancy

Pre-Term Labor

Rupture of membranes; epigastric pain

Eclampsia

More severe form of pre-eclampsia, marked by the development of seizures or coma in a patient with preeclampsia

Micturition

Frequency of urination

Hyperlordosis

commonly known as swayback, is a condition characterized by an exaggerated inward curve of the spine, most often in the lower back (lumbar area) or neck