Pregnancy Problems Solved

You’re pregnant and this is an exciting time for you! But, as you are starting to realize, there are many aches and pains, and just plain annoyances, commonly associated with normal pregnancy. Here are the ones women complain about most, and, more importantly, expert strategies to ease them.

1.    Morning sickness: This might as well be called all-day-long sickness for some. As unfortunate as it may be, morning sickness affects over 70 percent of all pregnant women and typically begins around week six and usually disappears by week sixteen. (For an unfortunate small minority, it may not disappear at all.)  Strategy: Try to eat small nibbles often. You may not be able to stomach a full meal, that’s okay. Try sipping ginger or mint decaf teas, eating ginger candies, sipping ginger ale and eating carbohydrates like toast or crackers before you get out of bed. This is also a time to stay clear of the office kitchen and all strong smells and have packages of crackers in your desk drawers as well.

2.    Constipation: People rarely talk about this, but pregnant women are constipated. Due to progesterone relaxing the muscles of the small intestine, bowel movements are slowed down. Strategy: Exercise regularly to get those bowels moving! Even light swimming and walking can help. To accompany this, drink lots of filtered water and eat fiber-rich foods such as apricots, prunes, non-peeled fruits, and vegetables. Discuss your exercise schedule with your physician and never exercise more rigorously than you did before becoming pregnant. 

3.    Itchy Skin: Do you feel like a snake molting? The good news is it’s normal. As you expand, your skin stretches and you can feel itchy.  Strategy: Find a good type of “belly jelly”–many creams are sold at drug stores and high-end body shops to ease your itchy skin. Look for those containing almond oil or shea butter and massage into the area regularly. This is also the time to avoid tight clothing which can irritate your skin further. Finally, if you are itching on your palms and the soles of your feet, this can indicate a rare, but serious liver condition called obstetric cholestasis. See your doctor immediately.