Minor Problems During Pregnancy

Constipation:
– You may become constipated very early on in pregnancy because of the hormonal changes to your body.

– Make sure you include plenty of fibre in your diet. Check out our healthy eating page

– Exercise regularly.

– Drink plenty of water.

– Nausea and morning sickness:

– If you feel sick in the mornings give yourself time to get up slowly.

– Eat dry or a plain biscuit for breakfast if you have morning sickness. (Ask your partner to bring you breakfast in bed.)

– Drink plenty of fluids.

– Eat small amounts often rather than several large meals.

Breast tenderness:
– Your breasts may become extremely tender and sensitive to the touch, with a darkening of the areola and more prominent veins over the surface of your breasts appearing very early on.

– If they do become tender to touch. Try have a warm bath. Not a hot one as it will make your breasts sore.

– Have your breasts measured and buy a comfortable bra.

Passing water:
– You may leak when you sneeze, cough or laugh. To avoid any embarrassment wear a panty liner or a sanitary towel.

– Practice pelvic floor muscle exercises throughout your pregnancy. Tighten the muscles of your vagina as though you were stopping a flow of urine. Hold for a count of 8. Then repeat in sets of 10 several times throughout the day.

– If you are having to go to the toilet a lot during the night cut out drinking before bed time. But drink a lot during the day.

– Try rocking backwards and forwards when you are on the toilet. This lessens the pressure of the womb on the bladder so that you can empty it properly. You won`t need to pass water quite as often if you do this.

– If you have any pain or blood when passing water you may have a urine infection that will need treatment. Contact your doctor straight away. Drink plenty of water to reduce the irritation.

Piles:
– If you have piles you should, eat plenty of food that is high in fibre check out our healthy eating page and drink plenty of water this will prevent constipation, which can make piles worse.

– Take regular exercise to improve circulation.

– Use an ice pack to ease the discomfort. Hold it gently against the piles (you could wrap a wet cloth around a packet of frozen peas or something else that is frozen.)

– If the piles stick out push them back inside using a lubricating jelly. (We know this sounds disgusting but it will hurt more if you leave them.)

– Consider giving birth in a kneeling position to reduce the pressure on your back passage.

Nose bleeds:
– Nosebleeds are a result of increased hormone circulation causing your mucous membranes to swell and become congested.

– To help the bleeding stop, press the sides of your nose together for ten minutes. If the bleeding doesn`t stop try again for another ten minutes.

– Hold your head back.

– As long as you don`t lose a lot of blood you have nothing to worry about.

Sleeplessness:
– If you aren`t sleeping very well don`t worry about it, it often happens during pregnancy. You may also have strange dreams about your pregnancy or your baby, don`t worry they`re natural.

– You may find it more comfortable to lie on your side with a pillow under your stomach and another one in-between your legs.

– Relaxation techniques might help, breathing slowly, listening to some soft music try your local library for relaxation cassettes. Your antenatal class may teach you relaxation.

– A warm bubble bath might help.

– Drink some warm milk before bed.

– Have a rest during the day this can make you feel less tired.

– Ask your partner to give you an all over body massage.