Early pregnancy and its different stages make a mother out of a woman. But before reaching the destination of motherhood, she has to journey through the rough terrain of the early stages of pregnancy, which can be quite eventful. No two pregnant women have same problem, some sail smoothly while others may have to be bed ridden for the next nine months. Some may feel like eating all the time and others might have nausea by just looking at food.

Morning Sickness and other problems

The pregnancy period is divided into three trimesters with the body going through different changes in each stage. The first trimester or the early stage of pregnancy is the most difficult and dangerous. A little mistake can lead to miscarriage or other disastrous complications. There are discomforts one has to endure, mainly morning sickness. It is perhaps the most common problem of pregnant women. The pregnant woman may feel nauseated, lethargic and her vomiting tendency might increase. A slight strong smell, which might have been alluring to her before can trigger a vomit.

There are many old wives tales to counter morning sickness and some are useful like smelling a stale bread first thing in the morning. If the problem becomes acute, the doctor can prescribe medicines which are quite remedial.

Some women with history of breathing problems may find themselves breathless from time to time and should consult their doctor if the period of breathlessness increases. Chances of Urinary tract infection increases during this period and this can lead to vaginal discharge. Consultation with the doctor is necessary if the discharge is pale yellow in color and foul smelling.

Eating Problems

In the first few weeks or the very early stages of pregnancy, a pregnant woman might vomit at the mere sight of some food and gorge on other foods. But as the baby grows, pressure in the abdominal cavities is increased leading to indigestion which causes heartburn. Constipation is another major problem troubling her as her pregnancy progresses. To counter it, one must eat in moderation but frequently and avoid spicy and oily foods. Consumption of green vegetables and fibres are a must as they help to keep the bowels clean.

Hormonal Problems

The whole body and mood of a woman is controlled by hormones and during early pregnancy they take more control of the body than before. Mood swings are common: she may feel on top of the world one moment and very low in the next. She becomes more sentimental and the slightest reason can trigger an outburst. It is the time when family can play a great role, especially her partner. He has to be sympathetic and empathetic so that her mood swings can be controlled.

All these problems which are more pronounced in the early pregnancy stages fade by the next trimester and can be considered as a necessary hardship in return of the prize of a baby in the arms. When after nine months of hard labour, a woman holds her baby for the first time, its innocence and smile allows her to forget all the trouble she had undergone in the early pregnancy period. That is the ultimate joy of motherhood.