Resident OB/GYN: Dr. Susan Warhus

Pesky Pregnancy Symptoms & How to Deal

Before you got pregnant, you may have been looking forward to the cleavage boost, womanly curves, and fuller hair that your girlfriends told you about when they were pregnant. Little did you know that nausea, constipation, and chronic back pain would be accompanying those glamorous body changes. If nasty side effects of pregnancy are taking the glow out of your prenatal experience, you’re not alone. The bad news is that it’s par for the course. The good news is that there are some things you can do to survive the dog days of pregnancy. Here are some of the most common pregnancy symptoms and how you can handle them. 

by Dr. Susan Warhus, The Bump’s Pregnancy and Childbirth Expert

Nausea

Almost 75 percent of pregnant women experience nausea and vomiting during their first trimester.  The culprit responsible for your unsettled tummy is the rising levels of a pregnancy hormone referred to as hCG.   This hormone rises dramatically during early pregnancy and peaks around weeks 10 or 11.  For most women, the symptoms stop by the end of the first trimester.  In the meantime, here are some suggestions to help quell the nausea.

• Keep a few crackers by your bed and eat them before rising .
• Consume clear fluids, such as frozen juice bars, gelatin, and water.
• Try six small meals each day instead of the standard three.
• Get lots of clean, fresh air.
• Give yourself some chill-out time every day – nap, relax, and read.
• Ask your doc about taking vitamin B6 and ginger.
• Consider acupressure wrist bands.
• Ask your doc for a prescription for an anti-nausea medication.

Gas and Constipation

Most of us experience gastrointestinal problems during pregnancy.  Two causes are responsible: increasing pregnancy hormones cause the bowels to relax and become sluggish, and also your growing uterus is competing for space within your abdomen, shoving your bowels toward your back and side.  Rest assured, you’ll feel more like your old self again shortly after your delivery.  Between now and then, try these to feel better.

• Drink lots of water to flush out and regulate your system.
• Naturally boost your fiber with fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Eat six small meals a day; smaller quantities are easier on your system.
• Optimize gravity. Sit upright for one or two hours after eating.
• Ask your doc about over-the-counter stool softeners and antacids.

Aching Back

Your ever growing baby places added pressure on your spine and leads to aches and pains, especially in your lower back.  Quite often this discomfort leads to a change in posture and even affects how you walk (ever hear of the pregnancy waddle?).  Not only is this quite uncomfortable, it even makes you prone to injury.  Here’s some ways to feel more comfortable.

• Wear sensible shoes.
• When bending down to the floor, use your leg muscles.
• Don’t lift more than 15 pounds.
• Get up from a chair slowly, using your legs for strength and balance.
• Pregnancy-safe exercise like prenatal yoga and stretching is beneficial.
• Indulge yourself with a pampering maternity massage.
• Set a heating pad on the low setting and apply to the parts in pain.
• Have someone apply an over-the-counter pain relief ointment to your back.

Dr. Susan Warhus, M.D., is the author of Countdown to Baby and our resident medical expert.

Read more tips and advice from Dr. Susan:

• Dr. Susan - Ultrasound
• Not So Swell

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