6 Unpleasant Pregnancy Side Effects
Having a little one growing inside you is beautiful. From the first day when you find out that you are pregnant to when you start buying the little clothes. When you hold your little one, the journey is one to behold. Unfortunately, the pregnancy journey can be a bit bumpy. Here are the common pregnancy ill effects and how to manage them.
1. Low iron
Low iron is a common issue, especially during the third trimester. At this time, the mother is already feeling very tired and low iron levels only aggravate the problem. You can opt for one of the many iron supplements in the market, but make sure you consult a medic before taking any medication. Increasing iron in the body through diet is the most viable option as it doesn’t have any side effects. Eat plenty of vegetables and fruits. Avoid caffeine drinks because the tannins in the beverages bind to iron and impede with its absorption.
2. Backache
A backache is a common complaint among pregnant women, and the pain is usually felt in the lower back, down the feet, and across the buttocks. It gets worse if you stand for a long time or sleep in awkward positions. A mild backache can advance into chronic pain when you move your pelvis and spine in opposite directions, such as when turning over during your sleep. Backaches tend to get worse during the third trimester when you have difficulty sleeping. As such, you can look for a sleep chair, like the Perfect Sleep Chair to use instead of sleeping on the bed. Strengthening exercises and massages can help ease the pain.
3. Yeast infection
The Candida albicans is an organism that thrives in the intestinal tract of both women and men. It is essential for the natural balance of the body’s system. The bacteria only become an issue when they outgrow their numbers. It becomes a battle between the harmful bacteria and the good bacteria, and eventually, Candida albicans wins. During pregnancy, there is a spike in estrogen levels, which increases glucose levels. As such, the bacteria have more glucose to feed on than under regular occasions, which results in a yeast infection.
4. Dizziness
This happens when one stands up too quickly, when you have been standing for prolonged periods or when the weather is too hot. The reason behind this is insufficient blood supply to the brain, which occurs when blood pools in the feet when standing. Also, the uterus has a heightened demand for blood supply when one is expecting a child. You can avoid feeling dizzy by not standing for too long, avoiding standing abruptly and keeping cool during the hot seasons. Most expectant mothers strain when shopping for their babies, so, you can avoid straining by checking great baby product deals online.
5. Heartburn
Increased progesterone levels relax the valve at the stomach opening, making it easy for stomach acid to flow backward into the esophagus. When this happens, one feels a burning sensation in the throat. Your baby could also press hard on the stomach and force acid to flow upwards out of the stomach. The heartburn sensation tends to get worse when you are lying down, coughing or straining. Avoid heartburn by taking a glass of milk to neutralize the acid. Ask your midwife or physician if you can take over-the-counter antacids.
6. Morning sickness
Morning sickness varies from mild nausea to frequent vomiting that might warrant hospitalization. Despite its name, morning sickness can attack you at any time of the day. However, most pregnant women experience morning sickness when they haven’t eaten in a long time, such as in the morning. It usually lasts through the first trimester but can go into the second and third trimesters as well. To some, it disappears after the first trimester and appears in the third. Although the cause of morning sickness remains a mystery, research suggests that low blood sugar is the primary culprit. You can manage the effects by eating small meals frequently, drinking a lot of fluids, avoiding irritating smells and chewing nuts often.
Many of these effects are not unique to pregnant women. Some are symptoms of illnesses while others show that your period is about to begin. Luckily, the reactions are worthwhile because they are all part of the process of bringing life to earth. If it gets unbearable, talk to your doctor about it.
Very interesting post. Thank you Krista for sharing it. As a male, I cannot begin to imagine the many difficulties women go through during pregnancy. Nonetheless, I appreciate every woman who has gone through that. I believe they are the strongest people in the world. As for this article, I shared this post with some of my friends who are thinking about having their first child. They found this article very helpful, so I again want to thank you for putting this information out into the world.