The Perils Of Pregnancy: How To Cope With Common Symptoms
Pregnancy is a natural phenomenon, which turns your life upside down. During those months when you’re nurturing your unborn baby, so many processes take place in your body, and this results in an array of symptoms. If you’re pregnant, or you’re hoping to conceive soon, here are some tips to help you cope with common pregnancy signs.
Tiredness
Most women feel tired at some point in their pregnancies. For many women, a lack of energy is commonplace throughout pregnancy, but some expectant mothers only experience fatigue during the early and late stages. When you’re pregnant, you learn quickly that symptoms vary from one woman to another, and there’s no universal pattern. Getting enough sleep is one of the most important things you can do when you’re expecting. This may be easier said than done, especially in the final days when it’s difficult to get comfortable. Try and adopt a sleep regime early on in your pregnancy by going to bed and getting up at the same time. If you feel tired during the day, take a short nap. Listen to your body. If you’re tired all the time, it may be that you’re doing too much. Take things easy as you approach your due date, as you’ll need as much energy as possible when your baby arrives.
Back pain
It’s virtually unheard of to go through pregnancy without suffering from back pain. The extra weight of the baby places increased pressure on the muscles in your back, and you may find it tough to get comfortable when you’re sitting or lying down. Many women develop back pain in the third trimester, but it can also occur during the earlier stages. In addition to weight gain, hormonal changes and stress can induce discomfort. There’s a lot of information related to lower back pain early pregnancy online. However, if you’re struggling, you should ask your midwife or doctor for advice. You may find it helpful to use a pregnancy pillow when you sleep and to apply ice packs to aching muscles. Exercising can also help to condition the muscles, and also to reduce stress. Not all types of exercise are suitable for pregnant women, so check with a trainer or your doctor first. Gentle exercises are preferable, and many women like to swim, as the water bears the weight of your body.
Morning sickness
The name morning sickness is misleading, as nausea can occur at any time of the day. There’s no miracle cure for morning sickness, unfortunately, and if you search for remedies, you’ll come across hundreds of different ideas. If you do suffer from sickness, try and stay hydrated, and avoid triggers, which make you feel worse. Some people find that certain foods or smells exacerbate their symptoms. If you have very severe sickness, and you’re struggling to keep anything down, seek advice from your midwife or your doctor.
Pregnancy can be a wonderful experience, but it can also have its downsides. It’s common for women to experience symptoms and signs along the way that can make life difficult, but hopefully, these tips will help you cope.