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Six common ailments during pregnancy

Pregnancy
 Some of the physical changes that come with pregnancy are not fun and you might need psychological preparation (Shutterstock)

Pregnancy is a journey with many ups and downs. There are seasons of happiness and excitement. When you realize you’re finally having the baby you have been planning for then there are those occasions when things are not so great and you have to deal with the side effects and ailments.

As the baby develops, you probably have to deal with many bodily changes. Your emotions switch from happiness to being sad and your body starts to feel weird through the different trimesters.

Some of these physical changes are not fun and therefore, much psychological preparation is needed. But do note that the changes depend on your body and hormonal shifts. Not everyone has the same ailments during their pregnancy. However, we have prepared some common ones that many pregnant women experience.

Nausea and vomiting

The infamous morning sickness is something pregnant women dread. It’s a time when even the common foods and drinks you loved put you off instantly. At this time, your sense of smell is heightened so certain smells can also put you off. Hormonal changes in the body causes you to be nauseated and experience bouts of vomiting. Eat small meals and snacks throughout the day instead of forcing yourself to eat huge meals at a go. This will ensure you get the needed nutrients as your pregnancy hormones settle.

Exhaustion

When you are pregnant, you are advised to take some time resting and avoid doing strenuous activities. Your energy levels are generally low and you might not be able to handle everything g you used to do while you weren’t expectant. Pregnant women suffer from some level of exhaustion especially because their bodies are working twice as hard. It can be quite frustrating when you get tired after simple activities but this is just part of the process. Don’t kick yourself.

Digestive problems

Other ailments that many pregnant women experience are those that revolve around digestion. Constipation, heartburn and bloating are the common ones during this period. These ailments are caused especially when there is pressure on the digestive organs like the stomach, small and large intestines. The baby will take up some space when growing so this causes some of these digestive ailments alongside pregnancy hormones .The best way to ease these problems is avoiding spicy foods because these can make things worse. Also, eating more fiber rich foods will help ease things up.

 When you feel nauseated, opt for eating small meals and snacks throughout the day instead of full meals (Shutterstock)
Cramps

These are abdominal pains that are similar to those experienced during your period. When pregnant, your uterine muscles stretch during the process, causing some pain and discomfort. The increased blood flow and uterine contractions could cause the cramps to be present at certain times through the trimesters. To ease this, you can take warm baths, exercise regularly or even get a handy hot water bottle. These are some of the many ways to reduce the cramping.

Insomnia

Many pregnant women might struggle with sleepless nights and uneven sleeping patterns. The common reason for this is associated with other effect s of pregnancy such as frequent need to use the bathroom, nausea, vomiting or even digestive ailments. With these distractions, it can be hard to get a full night’s worth of sleep. Some of the ways to deal with sleep deprivation is drinking fluids during the day, aromatherapy for relaxation and dimming the light a few hours before bed.

Back aches

This is definitely another common ailment that pregnant women go through. It’s caused by a combination of weight gain and the baby’s increase in size as well. At times, you might find that you are adopting a slanted posture which also strains the back in the process. One of the most effective ways to straighten the back and reduce the discomfort is by stretching daily and doing light exercises throughout the pregnancy. If need be you can also get a pregnancy body pillow or a full length maternity pillow for back support and pain.

 

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