The 7 Discomforts of Pregnancy
Sorry ladies, but sometimes pregnancy sucks! Pregnancy symptoms can wreak havoc on you and your loved ones.
Maybe you’ve tried for months, maybe days or maybe you weren’t even trying at all, but if that sign on the pregnancy stick shows the infamous double line or “YES”.. you’re in for the ride of your life! It can sometimes feel like an alien abduction but the truth is it’s a miracle, something women have been blessed with. But what you need to know and that no one tells you before you get pregnant, is “Pregnancy is amazing, except when it’s not!” There are many strange things that happen to you during this miraculous time- come on, you’re growing a human being inside of you for goodness sake- your hormones are in a free for all! Here are 7 common discomforts of pregnancy and how you can navigate through them:
Morning Sickness
Tell nausea to take a hike!
More than 60% of women will experience morning (and all day and night) sickness. The feeling of just wanting to throw up is not uncommon. Remarkably, the jury is still out as to what actually causes morning sickness. Most women will experience this charmer for only the first trimester. Others will have the feeling they’re riding a 5 star roller coaster throughout their entire pregnancy. The good news is that research shows that women who experience morning sickness have children with higher IQ’s. Feeling better about it already?
How Can You Avoid or Treat Morning Sickness? Click here to learn more
Lack of energy during pregnancy
Another common symptom of pregnancy is how tired you feel, especially during your first and third trimesters. The second trimester is usually the honeymoon so enjoy it! More than half of pregnant mamas experience this symptom. Most women feel like finding a hiding spot to curl up and take a nap. Since ACOG recommends limiting caffeine intake (less than 200mg a day is considered A -Okay), what to do to make it through the day? Here are some tips on how to beat the sleepy time blues!
You may have difficulty sleeping later in your pregnancy, waking up to use the bathroom for pee parties and experiencing leg cramps and heartburn.
Fatigue can be a symptom of anemia, particularly iron-deficiency anemia. Your body needs iron to make hemoglobin, the substance in red blood cells that enables them to carry oxygen to your tissues and to your baby. According to ACOG (American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology), your need for iron doubles to 27 mg during pregnancy due to the needs of the baby, the doubling of blood produced by your body, and the blood loss that will occur during delivery. Most prenatal vitamins contain enough iron to support this increased requirement (with the exception of gummies). To get enough through food, eat iron-rich foods like red meat, poultry, fish, dried beans, peas, iron-fortified cereals and prune juice.
How Can You Avoid or Treat Fatigue During Pregnancy? Click here to learn more
Heartburn during pregnancy
The only burn you should feel is from the downward facing dog!
Heartburn during pregnancy is a doozy with more than 50% of women experiencing this symptom especially during the second and third trimesters.
Heartburn is not usually a sign of a serious problem, but it can be quite uncomfortable and even painful. Gastroesophageal reflux is often called “acid reflux” or “heartburn.”Indigestion is also common during pregnancy and can occur with heartburn.
Heartburn occurs when gastric acid from your stomach, is pushed up toward your esophagus (the pipe between your mouth and your stomach). This causes a burning sensation behind your breastbone or a burning sensation that starts in your stomach and seems to rise up. You may also have a sour taste in your mouth or a feeling that vomit is rising in your throat (As we said, pregnancy is amazing, except when it’s not!). It’s important to treat heartburn as many times it will cause you not to eat properly due to the pain- if you’re not eating, your baby is not getting the proper nutrition.
How Can You Avoid or Treat heartburn During Pregnancy?: Click here to learn more
Constipation during pregnancy
Save the pushing for labor!
Constipation during pregnancy is caused by a few culprits. 1. Thanks to your hormonal free for all your digestive tract slows down to help you absorb all the vitamins and minerals 2. High amounts of iron in your prenatal vitamins could be causing a major backup! Don’t worry, you’re not alone- over 70% of women experience this discomfort at some point or another during their pregnancy (oh, and wait until after you give birth)
How Can You Avoid or Treat Constipation During Pregnancy?:
- Eat foods high in fiber- try to do this prior to getting constipation- this includes…. Split peas, black beans, lentils, lima beans, almonds, avocados, berries, oatbran muffin, oatmeal,
- Drink at least 8 glasses of fluid each day- staying hydrated is a must to keep things moving along!
- Take a pre-probiotic to help maintain healthy digestion
- Try a prenatal vitamin with special gentle iron to reduce instance of constipation; Be Well Rounded!® contains Ferrochel® gentle iron which reduces constipation and gastric upset due to increased iron intake.
Insomnia during pregnancy
“I can’t stay asleep no matter what I do!”
This discomfort of pregnancy can cause all sorts of other issues. And know, you’re not alone! According to the National Sleep Foundation’s 1998 Women and Sleep poll, 78% of women report more disturbed sleep during pregnancy than at other times.
Hormonal changes is one of the biggest reasons for fatigue and sleep problems during pregnancy. These changes may have an inhibitory effect on muscles, which may result in snoring and in heavier women increase the risk of developing sleep apnea. In addition, it may be partly responsible for the frequent trips to the little girls’ room during the night. These interruptions as well as those caused by nausea, heartburn and other pregnancy-related discomforts can result in loss of sleep.
How Can You Avoid or Treat Insomnia During Pregnancy?: Click here to learn more
Bleeding Gums and oral health
Issues with oral health during pregnancy are overshadowed by some of the more glamorous symptoms, but this is not one to ignore! A recent survey by Cigna Insurance Company found that 75% of pregnant mamas experience some type of oral health issue during their pregnancy. The symptoms included bleeding gums, toothache, and increased tooth sensitivity. Only 57% of the women actually visited a dentist during their pregnancy. It’s important to visit your dentist during pregnancy because any infection in the oral cavity can have a negative effect on the health of your baby. Repeat. It is important to visit your dentist during pregnancy.
The most common oral discomfort pregnant women encountered were bleeding gums. This is primarily due to the hormonal changes during pregnancy which make the gums sensitive to the presence of plaque. Bleeding gums, if left untreated, can lead to periodontal disease. Many studies state that periodontal disease can be a potential risk for low birth weight babies. Bleeding gums can also lead to gingivital recession. This can cause sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures and make teeth more susceptible to decay at the gum line. Taking prenatal vitamins are also an important factor to maintaining both oral and general health during pregnancy. Getting the proper nutrition is imperative.
How Can You Avoid or Treat Bleeding Gums During Pregnancy?:
- Consistent and meticulous brushing and flossing
- Generally recommended to visit the dentist/hygienist every 3 months during pregnancy and continue with this frequency until finished nursing
- Healthy eating and taking prenatal vitamins are also an important factor to maintaining both oral and general health during pregnancy. Getting the proper nutrition is imperative. Be Well Rounded!® is an amazing option to provide complete prenatal nutrition during pregnancy and nursing.
Headaches during pregnancy
Headaches during pregnancy is a common discomfort of pregnancy. It can be a result of hormonal changes, tension, congestion, constipation, lack of sleep, dehydration, low blood pressure, low blood sugar, and even caffeine withdrawal. And in some cases, it is caused by preeclampsia.
Preeclampsia (also called Toxemia)
A strong headache in the second or third trimester may be a sign of preeclampsia, or high blood pressure during pregnancy. Preeclampsia is a rare condition affecting about five to ten percent of pregnancies. Headaches that are a result of preeclampsia are consistent, persistent and throbbing. Mamas with preeclampsia may also have complaints of blurry vision or seeing spots, weight gain (more than one pound per day), pain in the upper right abdomen, and hands and face getting swollen. If you get a headache that is out of the norm or you’re experiencing any of these symptoms you should call your doctor or midwife right away.
How Can You Avoid or Treat Headaches During Pregnancy? Click here to learn more
To find products that safely and effectively address many of these symptoms, click here. All our products are eithe
r developed or recommended by Ob/Gyn’s to ensure the safety and effectiveness for both you and your baby.
