COMMOM DISCOMFORTS OF PREGNANCY

• Morning sickness/ Nausea and Vomiting

  Present 5 – 12 weeks of pregnancy
• Management of morning sickness

  1. Dry Carbohydrates – crackers or toast, 30 minutes before getting up in the morning

  2. Small frequent meals

  3. Avoidance of highly spicy, fatty foods
• Frequency of Voiding


  Common in 1st trimester (6 – 12 weeks) and 3rd trimester (especially after lightening)
• Management of frequent voiding

  1. Regular voiding followed by flushing

  2. Increase fluids to replace loses

  3. Perineal pad to absorb leakage
• Fatigue


  • Early pregnancy - effect of hormones estrogen and progesterone
  • Late pregnancy - added weight the woman carries plus the musculoskeletal changes causing backache and easy fatigability
• Management of fatigue


  1. Avoid sudden changes in position

  2. In the morning, arise gradually from a lateral position

  3. Avoid assuming one position for a long time; Left side – lying position is desirable for pregnant women. (gradually standing)
• Leukorrhea


  Whitish, thick, mucoid vaginal discharge that is estrogen-induced
• Management of leukorrhea


  1. Frequent perineal hygiene

  2. Douching is not necessary

  3. Reporting of pruritis, burning sensation
• Heartburn / Pyrosis


  Burning sensation behind the sternum
• Management of heartburn


  1. Small, frequent meals low in fats and spices

  2. Upright position – bend from knees when picking up things

  3. Maintain upright 3-4 hours after meals
• Constipation


  Experience as early as the second trimester , more in the third trimester, cause may be hormonal, dietary, physiological
• Management of constipation


  1. Diet high in fluids and fruits and vegetables

  2. Daily bowel movements

  3. Regular exercise – walking is a good exercise in pregnancy
• Backache


  Causes include postural/skeletal, hormonal (relaxed sacroiliac joint from progesterone/ relaxin)
• Management of backache


  1. Good posture

  2. Flat or low-heeled shoes, no prolonged standing

  3. Pelvic rock exercise

  4. Kegel's exercise- perennial muscles
• Pedal Edema


  Primarily because of pressure on the pelvic girdle
• Management of pedal edema

  1. Avoidance of prolonged standing and sitting

  2. No round, constricting garters

  3. Frequent leg/hip elevation and left lateral position
• Leg Cramps


  Most common cause is calcium – phosphorous imbalance
• Management of leg cramps

  1. Adequate calcium in the diet

  2. Avoidance of prolonged standing and sitting

  3. Dorsiflexion of the toes with extension of the leg (hyper extends the involved muscles instant reliever)
• Varicose Veins


  Leg varicosities, vulvar varicosities, and hemorrhoids
• Management of varicose veins

  1. Leg and vulvar: No prolonged standing and sitting, Left side-lying position, Frequent leg/hip elevation, For leg varicosities – support hose is preventive , no round garters

  2. Hemorrhoids: Avoidance of constipation and other forms of straining, Promotion of comfort – sitz bath, warm compress, Avoidance of spicy foods for comfort
• Shortness of breath


  Common in 3rd trimester prior to lightening
• Management of shortness of breath

  1. Good posture

  2. Head – elevated position; semi-fowler's to high fowler's as necessary

  3. Avoidance of constricting bra, clothes and fatigue
• Management of supine hypotensive syndrome

  1. Left Lateral Positon

  2. Avoidance of sudden changing of position

  3. Arise from bed gradually on left side