Changes In The Body During Pregnancy - 3 - Seduce Your Tastebuds...

Apart from the changes we saw in the last couple of posts, here are the rest of them…

6. Backaches : This is a common complaint in most woman.The growing uterus puts a strain on your back muscles and changes the posture.Also the weight gained during pregnancy adds to the trouble…

Ask your Doctor / health educator to teach you some exercises that strengthen the back.
Improper sitting positions will worsen the situation.Use a small pillow for your back if you have to sit and work for long hours.Sit with your back straight and don’t slouch.
Do not cross legs while sitting on a chair.
Bend your legs and touch the ground if you have to pick up something from the floor.Don’t bend directly.
While sleeping, lie to the side and place a pillow between your legs.
Do not stand for too long
Do not wear high heeled shoes.Switch too a flat soled one once you find out that you are pregnant.
Do not lift heavy objects
Go for small walk

7.Lower abdomen pain : As the baby grows in the womb, the uterus expands and ligaments around the uterus are stretched.This may be seen as lower abdominal pains , sharp pain in the abdomen, dull aches.This is usually felt in the second trimester or later

Resting helps relive the pain.
Shift positions slowly.
If you feel the abdomen pain is due to something that you ate, plan your meal such that it is not heavy , oily , spicy.
Drink plenty of fluids
A warm bath may be helpful

If you have abdomen pain that persists consult your Doctor immediately as it is a sign of ectopic pregnancy where the pregnancy takes place outside the uterus and is a life threatening situation.Miscarriage / pre-term labor may be a cause. If the abdomen pain is accompanied with spotting / dizziness / fever rush to the hospital.

8.Hemorrhoids : this is a condition where the veins of the rectum swell and become painful.This occurs in women who are constipated.When straining during bowel evacuation, this condition may worsen.Hemorrhoids usually disappear after the baby is born.

Eat a high fiber diet
Drink plenty of fluids.
Do not strain during the bowel movement.
Gently clean the affected area after each bowel movement with a soft unscented soap.
Try using wet wipes to clean the area.
Ice packs covered with a soft cloth helps.
Do not take any medication without your Doctor’s advise.

9. Indigestion : It is also referred to as Heartburn.This has nothing to do with the heart though. It is a condition where there is a burning sensation in the stomach and it rises up till the throat.It occurs when the digested food from the stomach,which contain acid, is pushed upwards from the stomach.The reasons may be due to the hormonal changes in the body, slow digestion and the muscle that normally prevents the digested food from returning back relaxes.

Eat small meals at frequent intervals instead of large heavy meals
Avoid drinking too much water during meals
Its better to avoid spicy and oily foods stuffs
Caffeine , chocolate alcohol should be avoided.
Try some simple home remedy like Jeeraga kashayam – a simple concoction made from cumin seeds.
Ask your Physician if antacids can be taken

10. Nose bleeds : This occurs in very few women during the 2nd / 3rd trimester.The membranes in the nose dry out and bleed easily.This may be accompanied by a stuffy nose.

Use a gentle lubricant around the nostrils.Ask the doctor first before you use one.
Drink plenty of fluids
Use a humidifier in your room , especially at night.
Avoid blowing your nose too hard if you catch a cold
Use a soft tissue / a wet tissue to wipe your nose
If nose bleeds occur often and do not stop within 10 minutes of occurrence talk to your Doctor.

11.Insomnia : As the abdomen gets larger, it becomes difficult to fall asleep. Also the anxiety of labor and thoughts of coping up with the new born and other worries often give a sleepless night for expectant moms.

A warm bath before going to bed helps.
Drink warm milk / warm beverages before sleeping
If you can’t sleep on the bed, try a reclining chair
Listen to soft music
Read a book
A small walk in the evening might help
Try to divert your mind from worries and think of something happy and pleasant.
If none of these help, then better talk to your Doctor.

12.Shortness of breath : This usually occurs in the third trimester when the abdomen gets bigger.The uterus is growing in size and squeezes all the other organs in the abdominal activity.It pushes the digestive organs up till the lungs.This limits the capacity of the lungs to expand fully and causes shortness of breath.This stage passes once the baby is delivered.

Move / work around slowly so that the heart and lungs don’t have to work too hard
Sit up straight so that there is more room for the lung
Do some breathing exercises

13. Numb / tingling sensation : As the uterus grows, it rests on some nerves that lead to the legs.Pressure on these nerves may cause a numb/ tingling sensation.This condition reverses once the baby is born and is usually not considered serious.