6 common effects of pregnancy and how to treat them

giving birth, what I wish I'd known about giving birth, side effects of pregnancy, common side effects of pregnancy, how to treat morning sickness, how to treat the effects of pregnancy, labour coming soon

giving birth, what I wish I'd known about giving birth, side effects of pregnancy, common side effects of pregnancy, how to treat morning sickness, how to treat the effects of pregnancy, labour coming soon
Pregnancy – No one ever said it was easy. It tends to come with a lot of side effects – morning sickness, backache, tiredness and much more.

But try not to worry, here at maternity&infant we will try our best to make those 9 months the best they can possibly be for you.

Read: 7 ways your body changes after pregnancy
Morning sickness

Some of you may scoff and say “morning sickness? Try all day sickness!”. Some of you poor souls may be plagued all day by the effects of “morning sickness” so be prepared to visit the loo a lot during your first few months. Your hormones are creating havoc with your body which results in nausea.

How to handle morning sickness: 

  • Drink plenty of fluids, but don’t start your day with them. Keep your breakfast dry with toast or crackers.
  • Avoid overeating, instead have smaller meals more regularly.
  • Stay away from the things that trigger your nausea, like certain smells or foods.
  • If morning sickness too much for you, your doctor could subscribe your some medications to help matters.
Indigestion and heartburn

During pregnancy as your belly gets bigger, your stomach is pushed upward and this can irritate and flare up heartburn. Going on an empty stomach for too long can also increase acid levels and cause heartburn, indigestion and slow down bowel movements.

How to handle it: 

  • Eat small frequent meals.
  • Avoid spicy or fried foods that can aggravate acidity.
  • Do not lie down for at least half an hour after your meal.
Read: 7 foods to avoid in pregnancy
Backache

I think we can be safe in saying that nearly every pregnant woman has experienced this. Your bulging tummy puts quite a pressure on your back.

How to handle it:

  • Ensure you have correct posture. This will help like you wouldn’t believe.
  • Do some light exercises to stretch and strengthen your back.
  • Wear comfortable shoes – we mean it!
Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are quite common during pregnancy and are caused due to an increased blood flow in the pelvic area. Though hemorrhoids are not harmful, they can be very painful and can worsen with the extra strain of labour.

How to handle it:

  • Have plenty of water and fibre rich food.
  • Apply ice packs or anesthetic gels to reduce pain and swelling after consulting your doctor.
Swelling or edema

Your feet and hands might swell up sometime during the last trimester due to excess water retention triggered by hormones. This is also known as edema.

How to handle it:

  • Drink plenty of water.
  • Avoid sleeping on your back during late pregnancy if you can.
  • Do not stand or sit for too long in the same position.
Tiredness

Fatigue is your body’s own way of dealing with pregnancy, what with all that extra weight, need for more nutrients and making room for the baby, it is no surprise that you’re exhausted sometimes – you’re growing a person!

How to handle it:

  • Rest, Rest, Rest. There is no substitute to fight fatigue.
  • Eating well will also help ease the fatigue.
  • Light exercise before bed can send you off for a restful nights sleep which helps re-energise your tired body.
maternity&infant

Originally posted 2018-05-15 11:43:18.