We have included some survival tips for combating the most annoying and unpleasant side effects of pregnancy. Please note that not all woman experience them.

Please select the ailment you wish to learn more about

Abdominal Pain | Backache | Bleeding Gums | Breasts (Leakage) | Breasts (Soreness and Tenderness) | Constipation | Cramps (Leg and Foot) | Cravings | Fatigue | Flatulence | Frequent Urination | Headaches | Heart Palpitations | Indigestion | Itching | Nasal Congestion, Nausea(Morning Sickness) | Oedema (Swelling) | Pelvic Discomfort | Shortness of Breath | Skin (Blotches and Discoloration) | Stretchmarks | Sweating Thrush | Urinary Tract Infections | Vaginal Discharge

Abdominal Pain

Why? Ligaments supporting the uterus are stretched by the weight of your growing baby. You may feel a stabbing, cramp-like pain, or a dragging pain on one side.

Survival tips: Try a hot water bottle to relax your muscles.

TOP

Backache

When: Mid-to-late pregnancy

Why? Your changing shape alters your centre of gravity and your posture, possibly causing muscle strain. Later in pregnancy, your baby's head may be pressing against your sacrum (tailbone), causing a monstrous lower backache.

Survival tips: Maintain good posture and try to avoid arching your back while walking and standing.

Protect yourself when moving about. Squat instead of bending at the waist -roll onto your side and push up with your hands when getting up from a lying position.

Massage may help.

Wear comfortable shoes and put those high heels away until after the birth.

TOP

Bleeding gums

When: Mid-to-late pregnancy

Why? Pregnancy hormones increase the volume of blood in your body, making your gums thicker and softer. Swollen gums allow food to deposit between teeth, leading to growth of bacteria, tooth decay, and gingivitis (gum infection.)

Survival tips: Be diligent about brushing and flossing, even if it's uncomfortable.

Try an antiseptic mouthwash to cut down on bacteria.

Have your teeth professionally cleaned at the beginning of your pregnancy and perhaps again before you deliver, but be sure to tell your dentist you are pregnant.

Be sure to get enough Vitamin C in your diet, which helps preserve strong teeth and gums.

TOP

Breasts (Leakage)

When: From about the 5th month on.

Why? Some women experience leakage of colostrum, your baby's first food, later in pregnancy.

Survival tips: Use breast pads designed for nursing - just slip one inside your bra.

Be careful not to use harsh or heavily perfumed soap on your nipples to avoid irritation.

TOP

Breasts (Soreness and Tenderness)

When: All through your pregnancy, but especially at the beginning and towards the end.

Why? Enlarged milk glands and an increase in fatty tissue can make your breasts quite sore.

Survival tips: Buy a bra that gives you firm support and make sure it is properly fitted.

Be willing to trade up to larger bras as your breasts increase their size. A nursing bra may be the answer.

Some women swear by sports bras (particularly if they are small breasted) to begin with and if they don't fit into large-cup maternity bras.

TOP

Constipation

When: Mid-to-late pregnancy

Why? Your growing uterus takes up part of the space normally reserved for your digestive system. In addition, pregnancy hormones cause a relaxation of the intestinal muscles and a slowing of bowel movements. Iron and vitamin supplements can contribute as well.

Survival tips: Drink an obscene amount of water. Several litres a day is not too much.

Eat plenty of raw vegetables, fruit and wholegrain cereals daily to ensure enough fibre. Prunes, dates and figs are a must.

When you have to go, go. Don't put it off.

Daily exercise can help.

Don't use laxatives or mineral oil without first consulting your doctor.

TOP

Cramps (Leg and Foot)

When: Mid-to-late pregnancy

Why? It is thought that leg cramps are the result of insufficient calcium in your diet. They often happen when you're in bed.

Survival tips: Be sure to eat foods rich in calcium.

To combat a cramp, push your heel away from you and flex your toes toward your body. Alternatively, you can stand on the offending foot first and then try the stretches.

Try firm massage or a hot water bottle.

Avoid lying on your back, as this can slow your circulation and increase the chances of a cramp. Lie on your left side.

TOP

Cravings

When: Throughout pregnancy.

Why? Thought to be caused by high levels of progesterone in your blood.

Survival tips: As long as it's not dangerous or grossly bad for you, go ahead and eat it. We recommend moderation though! Remember that excessive weight gain during pregnancy is not healthy.

TOP

Fatigue

When: Early and late pregnancy.

Why? In early pregnancy, hormones such as progesterone are thought to contribute to fatigue. You will probably be more tired than you ever thought possible. In later pregnancy, the sheer effort of carrying that baby around would be enough to make anyone tired. If you're anaemic, you could experience fatigue as well.

Survival tips: Sleep. We're not kidding.

Try brisk walking or some other form of non-impact exercise to boost your energy levels.

Get a checkup for anemia.

Give up any perfectionist tendencies (scrubbing the floors and rearranging the wardrobes can wait) and force yourself to relax, preferably with your feet up, any chance you get. Let someone else do the heavy lifting.

Learn to delegate, and don't feel guilty about taking it easy.

TOP

Flatulence

When: Early and late pregnancy.

Why? Your digestive system slows down in pregnancy, and you may have difficulty digesting fried foods or beans.

Survival tips: Avoid greasy foods. Introduce high fibre foods, such as bran, gradually.

Keep a small dog with you at all times to blame.

TOP

Frequent Urination

When: Early and late pregnancy.

Why? Pregnancy hormones affect the muscle tone of the bladder, causing you to make frequent trips to the loo. As your uterus grows, it puts pressure on the bladder as well. This is particularly true in late pregnancy, when the sheer bulk of the uterus cuts down the bladder's capacity.

Survival tips: Avoid wilderness expeditions which would require trips to the loo in darkness or unpleasant conditions.

Drink plenty of liquids anyway; avoiding them won't help the problem and could create some new ones.

If you experience burning or stinging, talk to your doctor. You could have a urinary tract infection.

TOP

Headaches

When: Throughout your pregnancy.

Why? You name it. Fatigue, caffeine withdrawal, anxiety, tension and stress can all cause headache during pregnancy. If you have a sharp or blinding headache in late pregnancy, contact your doctor immediately to check for pre-eclampsia.

Survival tips: Rest and relax; a facial massage will feel fabulous.

Try pressing a hot moist towel over your eyes and your forehead.

It is safe to take the odd painkiller - check with your doctor first to find out which brands are safe.

Consider cutting out caffeine gradually, particularly if you drank 8 cups a day before you became pregnant.

TOP

Indigestion

When: Mid-to-late pregnancy.

Why? Your digestive system slows down during pregnancy, possibly increasing intestinal gas. The valve at the entrance to your stomach relaxes in pregnancy, allowing a bit of acid to escape. In addition, the pressure of your growing uterus on your stomach can cause stomach acid to be pushed upward.

Survival tips: Eat smaller, more frequent meals instead of three large ones per day. Eat slowly.

Avoid spicy, rich or fatty foods.

Trust your instincts. If something looks like it will disagree with you, it probably will.

Don't lie down immediately after eating.

Sit up straight to give your stomach some space. Wear loose clothing for the same reason.

If you're tempted to reach for an antacid, talk to your doctor first.

TOP

Itching

When: Mid-to-late pregnancy.

Why? Increased blood supply to the skin can cause itching, as can dry skin. If you have general itching late in pregnancy, you should talk to your doctor to rule out a potentially serious liver illness called obstetric cholestasis.

Survival tips: Keep skin well moisturized.

If obstetric cholestasis occurs, you will need careful monitoring and probably an early delivery.

TOP

Nasal Congestion and Nose Bleeds

When: Throughout pregnancy.

Why? Your increased blood supply can cause the mucus membranes of your nose to soften and thicken. Blowing can rupture tiny blood vessels.

Survival tips: Apply pressure on the bridge of your nose to stop a nosebleed.

Blow your nose gently.

Buy a generous supply of pocket tissues and keep a pack on you at all times. This is a good habit to get into, since you can use them as emergency bibs once the baby comes along.

TOP

Nausea (Morning Sickness)

When: During the first three months of pregnancy.

Why? Pregnancy hormones can cause nausea, as can low blood sugar.

Survival tips: Keep your stomach from becoming empty, as this exacerbates the problem. A protein snack before bedtime may help, as protein takes longer to digest.

Keep crackers or dry cereal next to your bed and nibble on them a few minutes before getting up in the morning.

Eat several small meals a day.

Peppermint, chamomile or ginger root tea may help.

Try something salty (such as crisps) or tart (such as lemonade).

Avoid strong odours, especially perfumes or raw fish.

If you really can't keep anything down, consult your doctor. Do not let yourself become dehydrated.

TOP

Oedema (Swelling)

When: Mid-to-late pregnancy.

Why? Some fluid retention is normal in pregnancy. The uterus puts pressure on the blood vessels which carry fluid from the feet and ankles, causing them to swell. Too little protein can also cause swelling.

Survival tips: Avoid tight clothing, especially around the ankles or calves.

Try not to stand for long periods. Sit with your feet elevated whenever you can.

Moderate exercise can help.

Eat plenty of protein, such as lean meats, pulses, cheese and eggs.

Try a wedge-shaped pillow under the mattress at the foot of the bed.

Drink plenty of fluids.

If swelling is excessive, or if your hands or face begin to swell, contact your doctor immediately. These could be signs of pre-eclampsia.

TOP

Pelvic Discomfort

When: Late pregnancy.

Why? The baby's head presses down on the nerves in your groin, causing pain throughout the area and possibly pins and needles in the backs of your legs.

Survival tips: Rest when you can.

Take pain medication after consultation with your doctor.

TOP

Shortness of Breath

When: Mid-to-late pregnancy.

Why? Your ever-larger uterus takes up the space normally inhabited by your diaphragm, sometimes making it difficult to breathe.

Survival tips: Hold your arms over your head to give your lungs some room.

Sit up straight, prop yourself upright with pillows, or lie on your left side.

Avoid overexertion.

TOP

Skin (Blotches and Discoloration)

When: Mid-to-late pregnancy.

Why? Pregnancy hormones can cause extra production of pigment, which appears on the cheeks, nose and forehead, as well as the nipples and the line from your naval to your pubic bone.

Survival tips: Remember that the pigmentation will fade a few months after delivery.

Use sunscreen when you go out; exposure to the sun makes the condition worse.

Make sure you get enough folic acid in your diet.

A cosmetic foundation may help conceal this.

TOP

Strechmarks

When: Mid-to-late pregnancy.

Why? Stretch marks are a kind of scar tissue which forms when your skin is stretched beyond what its normal elasticity can bear. They appear most often on the abdomen, thighs, buttocks and breasts. Most women get some stretch marks during their pregnancy.

Survival tips: Be sure to eat enough Vitamin C and E, as well as enough protein.

Keep the skin well moisturized. This won't prevent the stretch marks, but it will make you feel better.

Stretch marks usually fade to silvery lines with time.

TOP

Sweating

When: Mid-to-late pregnancy.

Why? Your increased blood supply causes the blood vessels beneath the skin to dilate.

Survival tips: Wear light clothing and avoid overheating.

Drink plenty of fluids.

If night sweating is severe, keep a dry t-shirt or extra night dress next to your bed for a quick change. This applies to post natal night sweats as well.

TOP

Urinary Tract Infections

When: Throughout pregnancy.

Why? Increased levels of progesterone relax the muscles of the bladder and increase the chances of infection.

Survival tips: See your doctor if you have burning during urination, blood in your urine or mild discomfort in the lower abdomen.

Drink plenty of fluids.

TOP

Vaginal Discharge

When: Throughout pregnancy.

Why? Pregnancy hormones and your increased blood supply cause your vagina to increase its normal secretions.

Survival tips: Avoid tight trousers.

Stick to cotton underwear.

Be alert for signs of a yeast infection or thrush, including burning, itching, or swollen genitals.

TOP