Pregnancy is a time in a women's life when it is important for her to be aware of her own health, as well as the health of the developing child that awaits birth. Knowing what to expect during pregnancy, such as signs and symptoms, nutrition, when to see a doctor, types of birth defects, risks during pregnancy, and knowing the physical development of the child contribute to the well being of your child.
Symptom
|
Time of Appearance
|
Other Possible Causes
|
|---|---|---|
| delay of menstruation | entire pregnancy | excessive weight gain or loss, fatigue, hormonal problems, tension, stress, going off the birth control pill or breast feeding |
| nausea and vomiting | 2-8 weeks after conception | food poisoning, stress and variety of other stomach disorders |
| tender or swollen breasts | 1-2 weeks after conception | hormone imbalance, birth control pills, impending menstruation |
| feeling exhausted or "sleepy" | 1-6 weeks after conception | stress, fatigue, depression and other physical and mental strains; can also be the common cold or flu |
| backaches | during entire pregnancy | a variety of back problems or physical or mental strains |
| frequent headaches | sometimes during entire pregnancy | dehydration, caffeine withdrawal, eye strain and other ailments |
| food cravings | entire pregnancy | poor diet, stress, depression and impending menstruation |
| darkening of areola (breast nipple) | first signs 1-14 weeks after conception and throughout pregnancy | hormonal imbalance |
| fetal movements | 16-22 weeks after conception | gas, lower gastrointestinal bowel contractions |
| frequent urination | 6-8 weeks after conception | diabetes, urinary tract infection, taking excessive diuretics causing urination |
| fetal heart beat | 10-20 weeks and then throughout pregnancy – early detection using sensitive microphones, (Doppler) | none |
Physical ChangesAs the baby and the uterus expands, it causes the muscles to stretch, causing aching in you lower abdomen. In addition to that, the weight of your growing belly also puts a strain on the back.
How to avoid / relieve it:
- Keep good posture at all times, whether you're sitting, standing or lying down.
- Ask your health care provider to recommend exercises, especially stretching exercises.
- Rest whenever possible, preferably lying on your side.
- Wear comfortable shoes.
- Lift with you legs and arms instead of your back.
- Back massages.
Increased amounts of estrogen and progesterone are increasing the size of your breasts. You may have also noticed that the area around the nipple is darkening and even spreading, and a network of blue veins is appearing across your chest. These areas return to normal after delivery or nursing.
How to avoid / relieve it:
- Wear a good, supportive bra throughout your pregnancy to prevent sagging, even at night.
- Buy any nursing bras (if you're planning to breast feed) late in pregnancy.
Constipation is common in pregnancy, mostly because the high levels of hormones in your body are slowing down your bowel muscles, and because your uterus is pressuring your bowels, too.
How to avoid / relieve it:
- Eat generous amounts of fiber, like bran cereal, fruits and whole grain breads.
- Drink six to eight glasses of water a day.
- Exercise regularly, such as walking daily.
Fatigue during pregnancy is caused by the increasing levels of hormones in your body, and by the huge amount of energy needed to prepare your body to support the baby. Many women find that once their bodies have adjusted to the demands of pregnancy, and the baby;s placenta is complete (about 4 months), they have a little more energy. Others continue to feel tired throughout their pregnancy, especially if they're working, or have other children to care for. Most notice that fatigue returns in the last trimester.
How to avoid / relieve it:
- Get as much rest as possible as soon as you find out you're pregnant. Going to bed earlier is a good idea.
- Squeeze in a short nap during the day. If you're working, relax for a few minutes after lunch.
- Exercise regularly.
- Accept friends' and family members' offers to help.
Frequent urination during pregnancy is primarily caused by the expanding uterus pressing on your bladder.
How to avoid / relieve it:
- To help empty your bladder completely, lean forward as far as possible when you urinate.
- If you're waking up often during the night, reduce fluids before bedtime. Increased frequency of urination should not be accompanied by urgency, pain or burning. That could mean a urinary tract infection, and should be reported to you health care provider right away.
Heartburn is caused when the extra hormones your body is producing relax smooth muscle tissue, including the muscle that separates your esophagus from your stomach. Food and digestive juices from your stomach come back up into your esophagus. The stomach acids that cause the 'burning" feeling as they irritate the lining of you esophagus.
How to avoid / relieve it:
- Try not to gain too much weight.
- Eat several smaller meals rather than two or three large meals.
- Avoid the foods that aggravate your heartburn, like greasy or highly seasoned foods, processed foods, chocolate and even carbonated drinks.
- Sleep with your head slightly elevated.
Hemorrhoids are painful, swollen veins around the rectum that can itch and bleed. They can be aggravated by constipation, or by the weight of your uterus and baby. The best way to avoid hemorrhoids is to stay as regular as possible.
How to avoid / relieve it:
- Eat plenty of fiber, drink plenty of water and get plenty of rest and exercise.
- Avoid standing or sitting for long periods of time.
- Take frequent warm baths.
- Talk with your health care provider if your hemorrhoids bleed.
Morning SicknessYou can experience morning sickness at any point of the day, into the the afternoon or the evening. Morning sickness usually disappears by the third month. All pregnant women experience some type of morning sickness, from a moment of nausea, to vomiting all day long. This may be caused from changing hormone levels, stress and even fatigue.
How to avoid / relieve it:
- Eat a good diet, with plenty of fluids and eat often, before you're hungry.
- Stay away from foods whose smells (or mere thought of eating) make you feel nauseous.
- Try eating a little something (crackers, for instance) before you get out of bed in the morning. You may even want to try a snack before you go to bed.
- Take prenatal vitamin to make up for vitamins lost during vomiting.
- Get plenty of rest and eliminate as much stress as possible.
As hormone changes increases during pregnancy, it causes the body to secrete more oils that are prone to more breakouts. In the middle of pregnancy, the extra blood flow to your skin can cause tiny blood vessels near the surface of the skin to swell, resulting in spidery looking red lines of the face, neck, arms and chest. These usually fade after pregnancy. Some women also develop dark blotches on their cheeks, forehead or nose. These blotches, called chloasma or mask of pregnancy, also fade after pregnancy.
How to avoid / relieve it:
- Hide them with a makeup foundation or cover-up cream.
- Avoid sunbathing, which can worsen them, or use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15.
- Eat healthy foods, drink plenty of fluids and wash you face several times a day.
A thin, whitish discharge is normal during pregnancy. These secretions begin early in pregnancy, continue to increase, and can cause minor itching.
How to avoid / relieve it:
- Wash daily with water.
- Wear panty liners (tampons are not recommended) or cotton crotch underwear.
These swollen veins that appear in your legs are the result of decreased blood circulation, heredity, weight gain, or the weight of the baby in the pelvic area. These veins may be painful, or just achy.
How to avoid / relieve it:
- Wear support hose to increase your circulation.
- Change your position if you're sitting for long periods of time.
- Keep your feet elevated while you're sitting.
- Keep your legs (and ankles) uncrossed.
- Rotate your feet at the ankles, or contracting your leg muscles, if you must stand for long periods.
- Get off your feet for about 15 minutes every two hours.
- Exercise regularly.
(conception to 6 weeks)
(7-10 weeks)
(beginning of second trimester)
(19 - 22 weeks)
(23-26 weeks)
(beginning of third trimester, 27-30 weeks)
(31-34 weeks)
(35 weeks to delivery)
© 1998 Mead Johnson & Company Additional Information on Pregnancy: Baby Center Mead Johnson Nutritionals Parents Magazine Sources: © 1996-1999 BabyZone, Inc. ©1998 Mead Johnson & Company © 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 Family Web (Family Web is an ongoing project of Net Revolution.)
