Solutions for the Discomfort of Pregnancy

Today, we're going to discuss the most common forms of discomfort met throughout pregnancy and the possible courses of action you may take. Check out our complete guide below.

Heartburn

When dealing with heartburn, it would be best to avoid heavy meals and acidic food; instead, you may consider sticking to a high-fiber diet in the form of small but frequent meals.

Vomiting and Nausea

As with heartburn, minor changes to your diet can help reduce nausea and vomiting.

Nausea during pregnancy is commonly caused by going too long without eating; thus, it would be best for you to eat small meals every couple of hours. Now, you don't need to feast every few hours. Crackers, toast, cereal -- dry starch foods eaten often and in small amounts can do wonders for you.

Fatigue

When pregnant, your body works hard to support yourself and your baby. Experiencing fatigue is quite common -- especially during the first trimester.

The first thing you should do to reduce fatigue is to get as much rest or sleep as possible; a warm bath and a hot drink would also be helpful.

If you're experiencing persistent fatigue and aren't having any luck getting rid of it, you may consider prenatal massage therapy. When performed by a professional, this form of treatment can aid in mood regulation and improve your cardiovascular health. In other words, your stress levels should drop, and you'll feel less fatigued.

Backache

When pregnant, you carry extra weight in front of you. Naturally, this causes lower back pain. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to ease your back pain:

Elevate your feet onto a stool when seated.
Don’t stand in one position for too long.
Gently practice the pelvic rock exercise to strengthen your lower back muscles.

If your lower back pain persists, you should consider chiropractic care during pregnancy. This refers to the health maintenance of the spinal discs, column, and related nerves without the use of drugs or the involvement of surgery.

Stretch Marks & Skin Changes

The hormonal changes your body undergoes during pregnancy can cause rashes. To prevent darkened skin on your face or freckles -- which are more likely to occur during pregnancy due to hormonal changes -- it would be best to use sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher when going outdoors.

Final Thoughts

Pregnancy can be a difficult and uncomfortable experience -- but it doesn't have to be. With the tips we've listed above, you should be able to reduce the effects of some of the most common pregnancy discomforts.

Should you need individualized pregnancy care in the Richland area, contact Richard Lorenzo, DO or Kortney Jones ARNP of Complete Healthcare for Women today. We provide a wide range of services, including prenatal care, infertility and gynecology.

References

American Pregnancy Association. (2020, August 24). Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy. https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/pregnancy-health-wellness/chiropractic-care-during-pregnancy-1191/

American Pregnancy Association. (2020, August 27). Prenatal Massage. https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/is-it-safe/prenatal-massage-1071/

Johnson, T. C. (2007, November 16). Understanding Pregnancy Discomforts -- Treatment. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/baby/understanding-pregnancy-discomforts-treatment#:%7E:text=Avoid%20heavy%20meals%20and%20spicy,down%20right%20after%20a%20meal.

UCSF Health. (2020, October 6). Coping With Common Discomforts of Pregnancy. Ucsfhealth.Org. https://www.ucsfhealth.org/education/coping-with-common-discomforts-of-pregnancy

Complete Healthcare for Women - Obstetrics and Gynecology

(509) 392-6700

Richard Lorenzo, D.O.

Kortney Jones ARNP

Author

Richard Lorenzo, DO Dr. Lorenzo is also a Fellow of the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and a Fellow of the American College of Osteopathic Obstetricians and Gynecologists. He provides gynecological and obstetric services, including prenatal care, pregnancy care, infertility, and gynecology. Dr. Lorenzo is proficient in advanced surgical techniques, including minimally-invasive procedures, as well as surgery for abnormal uterine bleeding, endometriosis, and hysterectomy. He has specialized training in high-risk obstetrics and minimally invasive surgical techniques, including minimally invasive hysterectomy.