Common Discomforts In Pregnancy

Discomfort	When	What you can do to Help
Ankle/Foot Swelling	2nd trimester to the end	Wear comfortable shoes. Prop your feet up on a stool while sitting. Don't cross legs. Drink lots of fluids
Breast Tenderness	Early and continues	Wear good sports bra day and night. Soak in warm bath
Breast Leakage	2nd Trimester	Wear breast pads that don't have plastic linings. Avoid harsh soaps, creams, ointments. Avoid hot water on breasts. Do not squeeze nipple or breasts
Bleeding Gums	All	Use a very soft tooth brush and gently brush teeth. Get routine dental care.
Constipation	2nd Trimester to end	Eat foods high in fiber everyday. Drink lots of fluids. Exercise daily, Walk after meals. Avoid stimulants or laxatives Contractions
Contractions (Braxton-Hicks)	After 20wks	Lie down on your left side for about 20 minutes. Drink 2-3 glasses of water or juice. Walk around.
Enlarging Belly & Breasts	2nd half of pregnancy	Sleep on your side with a pillow between your legs and lower abdomen. Wear loose, comfortable clothing. Wear a supportive bra even to bed.
Fatigue or Tiredness	Early and again in the last month	Take extra naps during day if possible. Continue exercise but not to the point of exhaustion. Try to get at least 8 hrs of sleep a night
Flatulence	Anytime, especially after 20wks	Try to schedule your daily bowel movements. Avoid gas forming foods such as beans and soda. Increase bulk and water to diet. Increase exercise
Food Cravings	First half of pregnancy	OK to indulge as long as diet is otherwise healthy. Call office if you are craving non food items such as soap, dirt, baking soda
Frequent Urination	Early, gets better in middle, then increased towards the end	Know where the bathrooms are when out and about. Don't cut back on fluids. Expect to make many trips to the bathroom day and night. Avoid drinking lots of fluids right before bedtime
Headaches	1st Half	Avoid Aspirin or Ibuprofen, Motrin, Advil, Alleve. Avoid eye strain. Frequent eye rests and computer breaks. Use Tylenol regular or extra strength as directed
Heartburn	2nd Trimester until the end	Eat more frequently and smaller meals. Do not lay down right away after eating. Eat slowly and chew your food well. Avoid deep fried, greasy, spicy foods. Antacids as directed are safe. Drink fluids between meals and not so much during. Go for a walk afterward
Hemorrhoids	Anytime	Avoid constipation. Apply cold witch hazel pads or hemorrhoid ointment. Do kegal exercises. Take sitz baths
Increased Sweating	Anytime	Increase fluids. Easily washable, comfortable, loose fitting clothes. Good hygiene. Try a different brand of deodorant
Increased Saliva	1st Trimester	Gum and hard candy. Mouthwash. Avoid starchy foods
Increased Vaginal Discharge	Throughout Pregnancy	Wear cotton underwear, don't wear pantyliners or pads. Avoid nylon panty hose, feminine hygiene soaps or sprays. No douching. Report to office if discharge is greenish, thick, cheesy or has strong fish odor
Insomnia	Anytime but mainly in 3rd Trimester	Try a warm bath prior to bed. Do not have stimulating activity before bed, sex is OK. Use relaxation technique. Place pillow between legs and under lower abdomen
Leg Cramps	2nd half of pregnancy	Try eating bananas or drinking OJ everyday. Stand up on flat surface, point your ankle and toes as if you were standing, try walking or curling your toes
Ligament Pain (sharp pulling sensation on either side of the lower abdomen)	Increases with increasing uterus size	Support your weight with your hands when changing positions. Move slower. Tylenol as directed. Apply ice to affected side. Use maternity belt. Lean back in a slant position support-ing your back with your knees bent
Light headedness & Dizziness	Begins early and continues	Stop what you are doing and lie on your left side with legs curled up for a short time. Get up slowly from a lying down position
Low Backache	2nd half of pregnancy	Good body mechanics helps. Keep back straight and head up, Avoid bending at waist. Wear supportive shoes, no flats or high heels. Avoid prolonged standing, move around frequently. Get back rubs, firm mattress, do pelvic rock exercise to strengthen back
Nasal Stuffiness & Nose Bleeds	1st trimester and again at the end	Use humidifier/vaporizer if air is dry Sudafed or Benadryl as directed. Saline Nasal Spray. Blow nose gently
Nausea, morning Sickness	Early in pregnancy & usually improves after 1st trimester	Nibble some cracker or ginger snaps before getting up in the morning. Wait an hour before drinking any liquids. Avoid strong odors. Drink between meals only. Chew gum and hard candy. Sip on room temperature drinks. Eat small snacks in between meals. Sit and put your head down between your legs
Varicose Veins	Increases as pregnancy continues	Put support hose, ace wraps or elastic stockings on while in bed, before getting up for the day. Avoid tight clothing. Avoid crossing legs. Use good posture
Vision Changes	Throughout pregnancy	Don't buy a new prescription for your glasses b/c your vision will probably go back to pre-pregnancy vision. Take frequent eye breaks You may not be able to wear contact lenses

Activities to AVOID

Exposure to diseases passed from animals to humans is important. In order to be safe, Do NOT change or clean the cat's litter box or the bird cages. Do NOT play in Children's sand boxes (big cat litter box). Do NOT garden without gloves.

You may also want to avoid exposure to things that may cause birth defects such as:

*X-rays, working around radiation or radioisotopes
*Dry cleaning & other solvents, petroleum products, working around lead or mercury
*Manicuring acrylic nails
*Working on ladders, scaffolding and such where nausea, fatigue or sudden lightheadedness would be hazardous to your health should be avoided.

AVOID the following FOODS

*Neither raw nor undercooked fish including sushi, meat, poultry, eggs, hotdogs.
*Swordfish, shark, king mackerel and tile fish. These have too much mercury in them.
*Raw sprouts, unpasteurized juices or cheeses or milks.
*All alcoholic beverages.
*All tobacco products and recreational drugs.

AVOID the following OVER THE COUNTER Medications

*Aspirin
*Ibuprofen (Motrin)
*Dayquil or Nyquil liquid and any drug that says "elixir" because it contains alcohol
*Excessive caffeine (more than 2 servings a day)
*Any illegal drugs