Discomforts of Late Pregnancy

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The following are what many women feel are the discomforts for late pregnancy. There will be helpful hints to ease the discomfort and ways to avoid them.

1. Backaches:most common discomfort of late pregnancy.

Helpful:

Good Posture
Pelvic Rock Exercise
2-3 minute stretches several times per day
Warm shower or bath
Massage from partner

Avoid:

Leaning forward at the waist to lift
Strong upward stretching exercises
High-heeled shoes
Lying flat on your back
Staying in one position for long periods of time

2. Bleeding Gums

Helpful:

Daily flossing of teeth
Frequent tooth brushing with gentle toothbrush
Adequate dietary protein and sources of natural vitamin C
Regular visits to your dentist

Avoid:

smoking

3. Constipation

Helpful:

Increase quantities of fresh an dried fruit
Adding fresh vegetables an salads containing a variety of raw and deeply colored vegetables
6-8 glasses of water each day
Eating whole grain breads, cereals, and whole bran flakes
Walking 20 to 30 minutes per day
Elevating feet and legs on a footstool during elimination
Stool softeners after discussing situation with MD or CNM

Avoid:

Over-the-counter laxatives or home remedy laxatives
Self-prescribed enemas

4. Dizziness

Helpful:

Ankle circles or shifting weight from one foot to the other during unavoidable periods of standing still
Practice all exercises slowly, allowing body time to adjust
Left lateral rest position

Avoid:

Standing still for long periods of time, especially if warm or overheated
changing positions rapidly
Lying flat on your back

5. Groin Stitch, spasm or pressure

Helpful:

Breathe deeply, lifting leg on affected side toward abdomen
squatting
Elevating hips and legs relieves groin pressure
Getting up from lying down by rolling to your side, then pushing with your arm

Avoid:

Heavy lifting, especially when bending from waist
sitting up straight from lying down
stairs if necessary

6. Gas

Helpful:

Eat small meals, frequent meals
Chew your food slowly and completely
Reduce gas-causing sulfur compounds in beans: prepare by bringing 1 cup of beans in 5 cups water to boil for 1 minute; drain water and add fresh water and bring to second boil; cook according to recipe.
Regular exercise such as a daily walk
pelvic rock

Avoid:

Foods which are know to cause gas (food diary helpful)
Food combinations may cause gas (food diary helpful)

7. Headaches

Helpful:

Conscious relaxation of forehead, jaw muscles, and neck
Scalp message
Massage of sinus regions to promote sinus drainage
Warm compresses to forehead, sinuses, and neck area
Warm herb tea followed by lying down with eyes closed
Consult MD or CNM for long-lasting or severeheadaches

Avoid:

Foods with MSG (monosodium glutamate) and nitrates
Alcoholic beverages
Consumption of coffee and other caffeine containing foods
Dairy products increases mucous production in some women, causing increased sinus congestion

8. Heartburn

Helpful:

Small, frequent meals
Milk may coat and soothe stomach
Non-sodium antacids such as Tums, Mylanta, Maalox, and Gelusil

Avoid:

Spicy or greasy foods
Alcohol and coffee
Large evening meals
Lying flat
Baking soda and Alka Seltzer (high sodium content)

9. Hemorrhoids

Helpful:

Constipation avoidance measures
Cool, witch hazel compresses (Tucks) while elevating hips and legs on pillows
Keep area clean with peri-bottle after each bowel movement
Warm sitz baths
Annusol or Preparation H gel or ointment

Avoid:

Reading on the toilet
Constipation and straining to pass hard stools

10. Insomnia

Helpful:

Warm bath by subdued light
Herb tea such as cammomile
Warm milk
Side-lying with 2-3 pillows
Progressive relaxation exercises
Reading or quiet chores until drowsiness begins
regular exercise earlier in the day

Avoid:

Caffeine intake, especially after dinner
Daytime naps increase insomnia for some women

11. Leg Cramps

Helpful:

Squatting positions
Flexing foot toward head
Increase calcium sources in diet (diary, soybeans, almonds, sesame seeds)
Ask MD or CNM about a calcium supplement
Regular walking
Pressure applied to area of cramp with heel of hand
Heat applied to area of cramp

Avoid:

Pointing toes when you stretch
Standing in one position for long periods

12. Mood swings

Helpful:

Understanding that hormone levels are responsible for instability of moods
Open communications with partner and family
Healthy outlets for frustration and tension

Avoid:

Becoming over-tired or exhausted
anemia

Pregnancy Discomforts experienced during pregnancy Page Two

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