Harbour Women's Health ~ Your Questions Answered

Your Questions Answered

I am finding that my pregnancy is causing me more physical problems than I have ever experienced at one time. What are some of your suggestions to help?

Many of our obstetric patients experience an assortment of aches and pains caused by their pregnancy. Sciatica, cramps, and morning sickness are just a small handful of discomforts that pregnant women must endure. The following information is derived from an internet article, Coping with Common Discomforts of Pregnancy, found on the Baby Bag website. We have included it here for your information because we at Harbour Women's Health find the tips to be helpful and have offered them as coping mechanisms to our own patients.

Backaches

Nearly every woman experiences backaches and back pain at some time during pregnancy, especially as her abdomen gets bigger. You may experience backache after walking, bending, lifting, standing, or excessive exercise. Be careful about lifting--do it correctly: with knees bent and back straight.

Backache is treated with heat, rest, and analgesics, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol). Some maternity girdles may provide support. Keep your weight under control, and participate in mild exercise, such as swimming, walking, and stationary-bike riding. Lie on your left side when resting or sleeping.

Lower-back pain is common during pregnancy, but occasionally it indicates a serious problem, such as a kidney stone. If pain is constant or severe, discuss it with your healthcare provider.

Headaches

Some women experience more headaches during pregnancy but hesitate to take medication for them. You can do a few things that are medicine-free to relieve headaches.

Use deep-breathing exercises and relaxation techniques.
Drink plenty of fluids so you don't become dehydrated.
Close your eyes and rest in a quiet place.
Eat regularly.
Avoid foods or substances, such as cheese, chocolate, and caffeine, that can cause headaches.
Apply an ice pack to the back of your head.
Get enough sleep.

If your headache doesn't go away using these techniques. you may take regular or extra-strength acetaminophen (Tylenol). If this doesn't help, call your healthcare provider.

Leg Cramps

Leg cramps, also called Charley horses, can be bothersome during pregnancy, especially if you experience them at night. Cramps are characterized by a sharp, grabbing pain in the calf. A cramp is a spasm in two sets of muscles that forces your foot to point involuntarily. The best way to relieve a leg cramp is to stretch your muscles. Flex or bend your foot to stretch leg muscles in the opposite direction. You can do this by standing up or by gently pressing the knee down with one hand while you gently pull the upper part of the foot toward you with the other. Stretching exercises before

you go to bed at night may help. Don't point your toes or stretch your legs before getting out of bed.

Some medical experts believe leg cramps occur more frequently if there is an imbalance of calcium and phosphorous in the body. Do not consume more calcium than you need--1200mg is the recommended daily dose. That's about four cups of milk. Soft drinks, snack foods, and processed foods are all high in phosphates: you may need to cut down on them or eliminate them from your diet.

These suggestions may help you relieve leg cramps:

Wear maternity support hose during the day.
Take warm baths.
Have your partner massage your legs at the end of the day or whenever it would help.
Take acetaminophen (Tylenol) for pain
Rest on your left side.
Use a heating pad on low temperature for up to 15 minutes (no longer) on the cramps.

Your activities can also contribute to cramping. Avoid standing for long periods of time. Don't wear tight or restrictive clothing.

Morning Sickness

An early symptom of pregnancy for many women is nausea, sometimes with vomiting, often called morning sickness. Morning sickness is typically present at the beginning of pregnancy and is usually worse in the morning (it improves during the day). Morning sickness usually begins around week 6 and lasts until week 12 or 13, when it starts to subside. Try the following suggestions to help you deal with nausea and vomiting related to morning sickness:

Eat small portions of nutritious food throughout the day, instead of three larger meals.
Eat a snack, such as dry crackers or rice cakes before you get out of bed in the morning. Or ask your partner to make you some dry toast.
Avoid heavy, fatty foods.
Keep up your fluid intake-fluids may be easier to handle than solids and will help you avoid dehydration.
Alternate wet foods with dry foods. Eat only dry foods at one meal, then wet foods or liquids at the next.
Try ginger--it's a natural remedy for nausea. Grate it onto vegetables and other foods.
Avoid things that trigger your nausea, such as odors, movement, or noise.
Suck on a fresh-cut lemon when you feel nauseous.
Get enough rest.
Avoid getting sweaty or overheated, which can contribute to nausea.

Sciatic-Nerve Pain

Some women occasionally experience a severe pain in their buttocks and down the back or side of either leg. This pain is called sciatic-nerve pain; it may occur more frequently as pregnancy progresses.

The sciatic nerve is located behind the uterus, in the pelvic area, and it runs down into the leg. We believe pain is caused when the enlarging uterus puts pressure on the nerve.

The best way to deal with the pain is to lie on your opposite side. This helps relieve pressure on the nerve.

About the Author

Glade B. Curtis, MD FACOG has a busy private practice in obstetrics, gynecology and infertility in Sandy, Utah. His best-selling book, Your Pregnancy Week by Week has sold more than 600,000 copies and won the benjamin franklin Award for publishing excellence in self-help/health books. His second book is Your Pregnancy Questions And Answers. He has been delivering babies since 1983.

We at Harbour Women’s Health want to stress the importance of taking care of yourself through healthy habits such as good nutrition, getting plenty of rest, and comfortable exercise. If and when you are feeling discomfort and the above suggestions do not seem to ease the pain, please call your healthcare provider for additional help.