Common Changes During Pregnancy
Pregnant women are often frightened by ordinary and common changes that occur during pregnancy because they are not familiar with them. Understanding changes which are common during pregnancy helps pregnant women feel more relaxed and distinguish between normal and pathological pregnancy.
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One of the first symptoms of a healthy pregnancy at an early stage is a pain in the uterus, which is transient, occurring several times a day and resembling a menstrual pain. This phenomenon occurs during the period when fetus binds to the uterine wall and it disappears around the seventh week of pregnancy. At the very beginning of pregnancy, the breasts are swollen and painful, and urinary problems are also common, causing frequent urination.
The concentration of the hormone progesterone grows rapidly and leads to a decrease in blood pressure, while increasing heart rate and the number of breaths per minute. Pregnant women feel sleepy and tired more than usual. Morning sickness is common during the first trimester, as well as increased salivation, vomiting, problems with gums.
It is believed that more than half of pregnant women experience these symptoms, as they are typical for the period until the development of placenta, and after that, ie after 12th week, they are significantly less present or passing. The universal remedy for these problems does not exist and every pregnant woman has to find the treatment that suits her best.
Loss of appetite is not cause for concern. It is considered normal in the first trimester because of all the symptoms and getting used to pregnancy. The lost weight is quickly gained later. Problems with gums and even the appearance of herpes on the lip are common in the first trimester, due to changes in the immune system during pregnancy. If you have had herpes and it appears again during the pregnancy, it is not dangerous for pregnancy. Only if it occurs for the first time during pregnancy, you should consult your doctor for further analysis. Due to changes in hormonal status, mood swings are also normal.
In the second trimester pregnant women start to gain weight, the shape of the body is changing as well as metabolic processes. The second trimester is accompanied by the appearance of heartburn, constipation, back pain, pubic pain. Headaches, varicose veins, excessive discharge, urinary problems are also common.
It is believed that 80% of pregnant women suffer from heartburn. It is due to reduced elasticity of the muscles of the stomach, so the valve that closes the stomach remains somewhat open and leads to the return of gastric juices into the esophagus. Those suffering from heartburn should have smaller meals, should not lie down immediately after a meal and should sleep on a higher pillow.
Back pain and pressure on the nerves in the pelvis are an integral part of the second trimester. If the body weight is excessive, those symptoms will be even more pronounced. Hormones soften the ligaments to allow the pelvis to expand, but it also leads to pain in the pubic area. Sometimes wearing a belt can ease these problems. Specialized massage for pregnant women facilitates this problem and relieves back pain.
10% of pregnant women have strong headaches as a result of dilation of blood vessels of the brain under the influence of hormones. A walk in the fresh air, neck and shoulder massage, and medicines for headache can help. The drugs of choice are tablets based on paracetamol.
Constipation is a common symptom, because progesterone affects the muscle relaxation in order to protect the pregnant uterus, and as a side effect there is a weaker peristalsis. Taking more fluids and plenty of fiber may help with this problem.
Hemorrhoids and varicose veins in the legs occur due to the pressure of the uterus and increased blood volume. It is advisable to rest more often, raising the legs, foot showers with hot and cold water, wearing elastic stockings. Eating healthy unseasoned food and stool regulation will help in the prevention of hemorrhoids.
Problems with urination (frequent urination and discomfort) occur because increased uterine pressures the bladder and it cannot be completely emptied. Taking urological teas for pregnant women significantly eases this problem.
Increased discharge that can cause itching is an integral part of the pregnancy. Progesterone changes the acidity of the vagina and that enables the growth of fungus. Using pessaries may help, but that does not lead to a final resolution, because while the acidity is changed the fungi shall be created. It is important to know that they cannot damage the fetus, but only cause discomfort for the mother. It helps to reduce sugar intake and increase the intake of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Depressed mood is common in this trimester. The body is rapidly changing, hormones affect mood, and concern for the health of the baby is increased. All this leads to insomnia, sometimes to panic attacks and changes in appetite. It is important to share these feelings with your family and your doctor. Yoga exercises are beneficial for this problem as well as massages. Your doctor will assess whether it is necessary to include a clinical psychologist and a possible therapy.
The third trimester is the most uncomfortable for the mother. The belly is large, weight is increased, and the center of gravity of the body is changed. In the third trimester occurs insomnia, skin problems, anxiety, swelling, carpal tunnel syndrome (tingling of fingers of the hands, especially the third and fourth finger), leg cramps. Due to the large stomach it is difficult to find the proper position in bed, it is impossible to completely relax, there are nausea and vomiting and cramps, leading to chronic fatigue and lack of sleep. A pregnant woman is nervous and upset. In order to mitigate these problems it is necessary to have a very light dinner. Massage and bath with a few drops of lavender and mandarin oil in aroma lamps can help. Chamomile tea with lemon contributes to a better relaxation.
During pregnancy, because of the intense hormonal changes and reduced elimination of toxins, changes occur on the skin. 90% of pregnant women have some pigmentation disorder, and many women have dry skin with acne. Proper skin care is therefore very important, and a proper diet helps to reduce these problems. Vitamins B2, B3, B5 and B6 are important for good quality skin. It is necessary to eat meat, fish, sesame seeds, brown rice and nuts.
Anxiety, which is expressed in the third trimester, is normal. Symptoms include insomnia, increased muscle tension, rapid and discontinuous breathing. It is necessary to avoid all drinks containing stimulants and consume foods that are slowly digested and that ensure a stable blood sugar level.
Changes of the progesterone and estrogen relation in the last trimester, as well as changes in metabolism, lead to swelling. It is usual that pregnant women get up in the morning without the swelling, and during the day, if she is more active the swellings appear, especially on the wrists, feet and ankles. This physiological edema can be reduced by massage that provides lymphatic drainage.
Carpal tunnel syndrome involves pain in the hands and unpleasant tingling that occurs due to edema of the nerve that innervates the hand. Leg cramps occur due to changes in metabolism of minerals. To mitigate these problems in the third trimester it is important to rest three or four times a day for twenty minutes with your feet up, for better circulation. During the night one should sleep on a higher pillow to reduce tingling in the hands. Cabbage soup reduces the swellings, and nettle tea enables better bladder emptying. Reducing salt intake is necessary or replacing salt with the dietetic salts which contain no sodium. The complex of vitamins which contains the magnesium reduces cramps in hands and feet.
If you better understand the processes that occur in your body, you will more easily accept them and adapt to them, and at the same time you will not have the fear of changes that are natural.
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