Common Discomforts in Pregnancy

Discomfort

When

What you can do to Help

Headaches

1^st 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

2^nd 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 hemorr-hoid ointment

Do kegal exercises

Take sitz baths

Increased Sweating

Anytime

Increase fluids

Easily washable comfort-table loose fitting clothes

Good hygiene

Try a different brand of deodorant

Increased Saliva

1^st Trimester

Gum and hard candy

Mouth-wash

Avoid starchy foods

Increased Vaginal Discharge

Through-out Preg-nancy

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 3^rd Trimester

Try a warm bath prior to bed

Do not have stimulat-ing activity before bed, sex is OK

Use relaxation technique

Place pillow between legs and under lower abdomen

Leg Cramps

2^nd 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

2^nd 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

1^st trimester and again at term

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 1^st 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

Through-out 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

Ankle/Foot Swelling

2^nd 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

2^nd 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

2^nd Trimester to end

Eat foods high in fiber everyday

Drink lots of fluids

Exercise daily, Walk after meals

Avoid stimulants or laxatives

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

2^nd half of pregnancy

Sleep on your side with a pillow between your legs and lower abdomen

Wear loose, comfort-able 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 ex-haustion

Try to get at least 8 hrs of sleep a night

Flatulence

Anytime, especially after 20wks

Try to schedule your daily bowel movements

If you have any questions or concerns, or would like to schedule an appointment, please contact either our Virginia Beach or Chesapeake office today.

Virginia Beach
3720 Holland Road
Virginia Beach, Virginia 23452

Ph. (757) 463-1234
Fx. (757) 463-0453

Click on map for directions

Chesapeake
680-C Kingsborough Square
Chesapeake, Virginia 23320

Ph. (757) 548-0044
Fx. (757) 547-0179

Click on map for directions