Managing the Physical Discomforts of Pregnancy

As exciting as pregnancy can be, it can also bring a variety of physical discomforts. Some of these are expected, like morning sickness and fatigue, while others can come as a surprise to expectant mums. Here are some of the most common physical discomforts associated with pregnancy and tips for managing them.

Morning Sickness

This is nausea or vomiting that typically occurs within the first trimester of pregnancy. While there isn't a definitive cause, hormones play a large role in its development. It's important for pregnant women experiencing morning sickness to know they are not alone, morning sickness is quite common; 8 out of 10 pregnant women report having some level of nausea. Eating small, frequent meals throughout the day instead of less-often larger meals has been known to help alleviate the symptoms in many cases while staying well hydrated is essential. A little tip my mother in law gave me was to have a stash of gingernuts beside my bed, before getting up in the morning, snack a couple of biscuits back to elevate my blood sugar before getting up, it surely helped me most days! 

Backache & Pelvic Pain

Backaches and pelvic pain are incredibly common during pregnancy due to the hormonal changes taking place inside your body which cause your joints to loosen in preparation for childbirth, as well as postural changes resulting from the baby's added weight in front of you. Staying active by doing low-impact exercises such as gentle walking or swimming helps keep muscles strong which will minimize back pain. Additionally, fitting regular prenatal massage appointments into your schedule can be beneficial both emotionally and physically when it comes to managing chronic pain during pregnancy.

Fatigue

Pregnant women commonly experience extreme fatigue due to their changing hormone levels plus all of their efforts going towards nurturing their growing baby inside them! To combat exhaustion while pregnant try getting plenty of restorative sleep at night by limiting activities before bedtime such as looking at screens (computer, phone etc.) and stick to relaxing activities like reading or listening music instead - both promote better quality sleep! Additionally, scheduling breaks throughout the day where you just relax by taking naps or meditating will help replenish your energy stores so you can feel refreshed and ready for anything!

Heartburn & Indigestion

Heartburn and indigestion occur due to changes in hormone levels during pregnancy which slow down digestion; this combined with increased pressure from an expanding uterus on the stomach can result in frequent heartburn and indigestion during pregnancy! To manage these uncomfortable symptoms avoid spicy foods which contribute heavily towards heartburn; additionally drinking plenty of water helps flush acids out from the digestive system more quickly thus reducing reflux episodes! Over-the-counter antacids may also provide temporary relief should they become necessary but always remember to speak with a doctor first before using any medications while pregnant!