Throughout the stages of pregnancy changes take place that are sometimes uncomfortable. Beside the usual symptoms of morning sickness that occurs during the first trimester of pregnancy, the expectant mom may experience fatigue and an increase in urination. Vitamin supplements prescribed by the physician, adequate rest and a nutritious diet can help alleviate fatigue. The growing uterus exerts pressure on the bladder making the need for urination more frequent.
As the pregnancy progresses and the uterus continues to expand, increased pressure on the intestines can make bowel movements more difficult often resulting in constipation. Toward the end of the second trimester and into the third, the expectant mother may experience edema, varicose veins or breathlessness.
Increased weight gain can cause more pressure on the legs, which may result in varicose veins. Not every pregnant woman experiences these problems but there is a possibility that they could arise. You may not be able to prevent varicose veins but you may be able to lessen the chance by trying to avoid standing for prolonged periods of time. If necessary, wear support hose. It is also important to wear proper fitting, comfortable shoes.
Shortness of breath can occur as the uterus pushes up against the diaphragm. This may tend to increase in the third trimester and as the pregnant woman gets closer to delivery time. Edema is water retention in the tissues. It is normal for some swelling to occur during pregnancy especially in the hands and feet. It may be best to remove rings from fingers if swelling is making them tight. If swelling seems excessive to the point of concern, express those concerns to your physician. Normally your doctor will note such changes during regular office visits but it doesn't hurt to ask questions or voice your concerns. Your physician can then help allay any unnecessary fears and suggest ways in which you can alleviate any undue discomfort.
Each trimester of pregnancy brings increasing changes that can affect mood and comfort level. Sleeping can become more difficult and finding a comfortable position can sometimes be a daunting task in itself. As hormonal changes take place expect moodiness to occur. Fatigue can also add to irritability. Along with weight gain, increased appetite and a tendency to crave odd combinations of food, cravings are probably the most well known aspect of pregnancy. Heartburn can become a great source of discomfort for some expectant women although others don't seem to be bothered by it. If heartburn is causing you discomfort be sure to ask your doctor to prescribe something to alleviate it. Avoiding spicy food may also help to lessen the aggravation of persistent heartburn.
But as any new mom knows, any discomfort during pregnancy is well worth it once you have your new baby in your arms.
Body Changes During Pregnancy
Pregnancy is a natural process that involves big changes in a woman's body. It's different for everyone. Some women have long, difficult, uncomfortable pregnancies that change their daily lives right from the start. Others have fairly easy pregnancies and their daily routines may not change until the last few weeks before delivery.
Pregnancy is a nine month journey for both you and your baby. During this time your own body will change, both internally and externally. Although a woman's body was beautifully designed to give birth, this process may cause a woman some discomfort and impose some limitations. Usually, exercise and good nutrition can alleviate the minor discomfort of pregnancy.
Some women also may begin to feel a little nauseous, and her breasts may become more tender or may tingle somewhat.
By the end of the second month, the levels of progesterone and estrogen are increasing dramatically, which will generally lead to some pretty serious mood swings that start now and continue through her pregnancy.
During pregnancy, your hormones are changing. This may cause you to experience ups and downs. You may feel excited, tired, worried, or like you need to talk about everything that is happening to you.
A vaginal discharge occurs normally during pregnancy, because of hormonal changes. A yellow or cheesy white discharge that is accompanied by itching or burning is not normal and needs to be reported to you health care provider.
Folic acid supplements are recommended for women trying to conceive and during the first trimester of pregnancy. This is the time that the baby's brain and nervous system are developing. Folic acid has been shown to reduce the chance of a baby being born with problems known as neural tube defects, such as spinal bifida.
Cardiac output increases approximately 40% during pregnancy, reaching its maximum at 20-24 week's gestation and continuing at this level until term. The increase in output can be as much as1, 5L/min over the non pregnant level. Cardiac output is very sensitive to changes in body position. This sensitivity increases with lengthening gestation, presumably because the uterus impinges upon the inferior vena cava, thereby decreasing blood return to the heart.
Many pregnant women complain of dizziness and lightheadedness throughout their pregnancies. Fainting is rare but does happen even in some healthy pregnant women. There are many reasons for these symptoms. The growth of more blood vessels in early pregnancy, the pressure of the expanding uterus on blood vessels and the body's increased need for food all can make a pregnant woman feel lightheaded and dizzy.
During your pregnancy, you might feel tired even after you've had a lot of sleep. Many women find they're particularly exhausted in the first trimester. Don't worry, this is normal! This is your body's way of telling you that you need more rest.
Heat stress during exercise creates concern for two reasons. First, an increase in the mother's core temperature (hyperthermia) can be harmful to the baby's development. Second, loss of water in the mother (dehydration) can decrease the amount of blood available to the fetus and lead to increased risk of preterm contractions.
Acne will be another big concern for you during your pregnancy. No matter how bad they become, stay away from medications as they might affect the baby. Not all women have this problem and you may luck out and find that your skin clears up during pregnancy.
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