Pregnancy is the most beautiful time of a woman's life. However, if complications arise, it could also be the most dreadful experience. There are many kinds of pregnancy complications, which a woman can go through. Here are the most common and serious problems of them all:
Common pregnancy problems and solutions
Heartburn: Hormone changes during pregnancy, combined with your growing belly, can make it easier for stomach acid to wash up into the throat. Here are some ways to put out the fire:
- Eat small, frequent meals (this will also help with morning sickness).
- Stay away from greasy or fried food, coffee, cola, and smoking (which you should avoid during pregnancy anyway).
- Eat slowly and chew your food well.
- Don't lie down for at least half an hour after meals.
- Prop up your head and shoulders while you're asleep.
- Try calcium carbonate, an antacid that's also used as a calcium supplement. Don't take more than the dose recommended on the package, and don't treat yourself with any other over-the-counter medications (including other antacids) before checking with your doctor or pharmacist.
- Have small, frequent meals. Don't let yourself get too hungry.
- Have small amounts of fluids several times a day. But don't drink fluids during or just before or after a meal.
- Before you get out of bed in the morning, eat a small nutritious snack like crackers or a granola bar (keep it by your bed), then rest in bed for 15 minutes.
- If certain scents or foods turn your stomach, steer clear! The most common offenders are fried, spicy, or fatty foods.
- If you're having trouble finding foods you can keep down, try bread, noodles, watermelon, crackers, cereal, mashed potatoes, clear soup, apple slices, pretzels, or pickles.
- Try having your food cold instead of hot to take away some of the smell.
- Try smelling lemons or ginger to calm your stomach.
- Have a few salty potato chips to ease nausea before your meal.
- Take your prenatal vitamin with food so it doesn't upset your stomach.
- Get plenty of rest and fresh air.
- Try acupressure wrist bands (available at your local pharmacy).
- Ask your doctor about taking Diclectin® (doxylamine/pyridoxine), a prescription antinausea medication for pregnant women.
Frequent urination: In the first trimester, those frequent bathroom trips are due to the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which causes increased urination. In the second trimester, you usually get a bit of a break from bathroom time. But in the third trimester, bathroom breaks are back with a vengeance as the growing uterus puts pressure on the bladder. What can you do?
- avoid caffeine
- avoid fluids in the early evening and before bedtime – drink more fluids during the rest of the day to make up for this
- go to the bathroom when you feel the urge
- when you urinate, lean forward to help the bladder empty more
- eat high-fibre foods like fruit, vegetables, beans, and whole grains
- get plenty of fluids
- stay active
- go to the bathroom when you feel the urge – don't wait
- Choose your shoes wisely. Opt for a low heel with good arch support.
- Lift with your legs, not your back. And don't lift heavy objects – ask for help.
- If you have to stand for a long time, put one foot up on a step stool or box.
- When picking things up, squat down and keep your back straight instead of bending from the waist.
- When getting up, roll onto your side first, then use your hands to push up.
- Apply a heating pad or ask for a back rub.
- Choose chairs with good lumbar support or put a little pillow behind the small of your back when sitting.
- Stay active – try water exercises and walking.
Gestational diabetes: This is a type of diabetes that starts during pregnancy and usually disappears after the birth. The first sign is usually a high result on a routine pregnancy blood sugar test, usually done between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy. Your doctor will do more detailed blood sugar tests to confirm it. Being diagnosed with gestational diabetes usually means a few changes:
- You'll need more frequent medical tests, such as blood sugar testing, ultrasounds, urine testing for protein, and blood pressure measurements.
- You'll be asked to make some healthy diet changes and exercise more frequently.
- You may need to use insulin injections if your blood sugar can't be controlled by exercise and eating changes alone.
- Because women who had gestational diabetes during pregnancy are at a higher risk of diabetes later in life, your doctor will check your blood sugar about 6 weeks after the birth, and then yearly.
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