What is happening

What is the cause

What to try

Headaches
(fairly common)

Hormonal and postural changes

Practice good posture, eat small, nutritious meals, drink plenty of water, avoid activities that cause eyestrain, get plenty of sleep, apply a cool compress to your neck and forehead, have your neck and scalp massaged gently.
Talk to your health professional if your headache does not go away.

Fatigue
(tired and sleepy)

Hormonal changes

Fatigue is an important sign from your body that you need extra rest

Get as much sleep as you can at night, pace your activities and rest during the day, if you work, rest during breaks or lunch, eat small meals several times a day and drink plenty of water

Mood Changes
(can be unexpected)

Hormonal changes

Focus on yourself and the changes you are going through, talk with friends and family about the feelings you are experiencing

Voiding More Often

Increasing size of the uterus puts pressure on the bladder

Limit the amount of tea and coffee especially in the evening, perform Kegel exercises

Nausea and Vomiting
“Morning Sickness”

Due to hormonal action, tension and/or fatigue.  Normal lasts about 8 to 12 weeks, but may occur longer and throughout the day.

Eat small amounts of food every 2 hours during the day, avoid fatty and fried foods, avoid drinking liquids with your meals, try taking a liquid form of vitamins, avoid over tiring yourself and try eating unsalted crackers or dry toast as a snack before getting out of bed. Notify your doctor if vomiting persists.

Increased vaginal secretions
(thin and milky)

Related to increased blood flow and hormonal changes

Wear small pads, cotton underwear and loose pants.
Shower or bathe often and contact your doctor or midwife if there is any itchiness, coloured discharge or odor.

Painful or bigger breasts with darkening of the areola
(brown part around the nipple with small lumps becoming visible)

Continual changes

Wear a supportive bra, even at night if it helps.

Light-headedness or feeling faint

Usually caused by the growing blood volume and new circulatory patterns.

Avoid sudden position changes, get up slowly, eat regularly and avoid lying flat on your back in the 3rd trimester

Shortness of breath

The top of the uterus is pressing against the diaphragm decreasing lung capacity

Maintain good posture, elevate the head of your bed or prop your head and shoulders to assume a semi-sitting position for sleeping

What is happening

What is the cause

What to try

Red inflamed gums

Change in hormones and what happens when plaque is left on your gums

Brush and floss your teeth regularly, visit your dentist making sure you tell him you are pregnant, avoid X-rays

Nose bleeds and nasal congestion

Due to the increased blood volume or dry air conditions

Place warm, moist towels on your face for comfort, breathe steam from a hot shower, massage your sinuses, drink plenty of water a day, do not use antihistamines unless recommended by your health care provider.

Low back pain

Due to the stretching of the ligaments attaching the uterus to the pelvis, and the increase of the abdomen resulting in poor posture

Maintain good posture, wear low heeled, supportive shoes, sit in a straight-backed chair whenever possible, sleep on your left side with a pillow under your upper leg for support and ensure a firm mattress, avoid heavy lifting.

Constipation
(hard bowel movements)

Can be caused by a change of food habits, hormonal action that slows the bowel, iron supplements that cause constipation., or enlargement of the uterus that displaces the intestine

Drink plenty of water (6-8 glasses a day), increase your fiber intake, exercise daily, have bowel movements when you have the urge, do not use suppositories, mineral oil, laxatives or enemas unless recommended by your health care provider

Pubic pain

Due to growing abdomen and stretching of ligaments

Walk around objects instead of stepping over them, avoid opening your knees wide apart, consult your health care provider

Mild swelling of the ankles, feet, hands and face

Swelling in your feet and ankles is normal in pregnancy and should be gone when you get up in the morning.  If it does not decrease with rest, talk with your health care provider

Raise your legs and feet when possible, avoid wearing clothes that are tight, exercise regularly, lie on your left side when resting or at night to reduce pressure on major blood vessels

What is happening

What is the cause

What to try

Increased fatigue

The energy demands of pregnancy are greater than before

Rest more often, listen to your body, ask someone to help with daily chores and if possible stop work early if you are overtired

Heartburn

This burning feeling in your chest is caused by food and stomach acid being pushed up into your esophagus (lower throat)

Eat small, frequent meals, avoid fried, fatty and spicy food, drink lots of fluid between meals, do not lie down after a meal, do not take antacids without your health care providers okay

Difficulty Sleeping

Growing baby

Have regular sleep habits, exercise daily, before bed try taking a warm bath, eat a small snack with a warm drink, listen to relaxing music

Muscle cramps in the legs
(especially at night)

Lack of minerals in your diet

Make sure you get enough calcium in your diet, avoid getting too tired, put your feet up when you can, exercise daily, stretch your lower leg area before going to bed and take a warm bath

Braxton Hicks Contractions
(pre-labour)

Practice contractions

Know that these contractions are normal, tell your health care provider if the contractions are regular and become uncomfortable

Sudden Groin Pain

Due to stretching ligaments

Avoid sudden movements and if possible bend slightly at the hips when you are about to sneeze or cough.

Hemorrhoids

Due to prolonged constipation

Avoid constipation and straining, perform Kegel exercises, try not to sit or stand for long periods of time without position change. For relief, apply ice wrapped in a cloth to the area.

Increased need to void

Pressure of baby is on the bladder

Void regularly to avoid infection, avoid caffeine, do Kegel exercises.