Affiliate links on this article may earn us commissions, at no extra cost to you. This doesn’t influence our ratings, and the opinions are our own. Learn More.
For some mothers, pregnancy is largely uneventful. However, for a majority, it comes with symptoms and bodily reactions that are anything but funny – except for the enlarged nose. Some symptoms are mild while others are severe, even subjecting you to complete bed rest. Read on about common pregnancy problems and their solutions.
Many of the pregnancy problems, despite being unpleasant, are to be expected. Knowing what to expect and the best ways to deal with the unpleasant symptoms is half-victory in the pregnancy problems battle. If you had some complications such as high blood pressure, swelling of the limbs, or headaches before the pregnancy, they will most likely get worse. This article shares 11 common pregnancy problems and solutions you should know.
In this article
3 Danger Signs of Pregnancy
Although some level of discomfort and weirdness is to be ordinary in pregnancy, it’s good to know what is normal and what is a borderline emergency. How do you know if something is wrong in early pregnancy? The most important thing to remember is it’d be better if you were turned away at the hospital than stay home and wish you had gone in the first place. Here are the things to look out for that are life-threatening complications during pregnancy.
#1 Extreme Pain
Extreme and debilitating pain is not a usual problem in pregnancy. If you’re in significant pain that you feel is not normal, visit your doctor immediately. Severe headaches are common in many pregnancy complications and may sometimes be a result of fatigue and dehydration.
Get checked immediately if you feel a headache escalating beyond what you’d consider normal. Headaches accompanied by blurry vision and sudden unexplained swelling such as on your arms, feet, and stomach are medical emergencies. Go for a checkup as this could be a sign of pre-eclampsia.
Pre-eclampsia is a serious medical condition in pregnancy characterized by dangerously high blood pressure and protein in the urine. It can be fatal for you and your unborn child, causing damage to other organs such as the kidneys and the liver.
Abdominal pain and cramping are also one of pregnancy problems that should not be ignored. If the pain is dull and mild, it may be due to the expanding womb and stretching ligaments. However, if there is intense pain and cramping at any stage of the pregnancy, it should not be ignored. Abdominal pain may signify a urinary tract Infection (UTI), pre-term labor, or pre-eclampsia.
Related article: Pregnancy symptoms you should never ignore
#2 Bleeding
Vaginal bleeding in pregnancy is not normal, and it should be checked by a doctor immediately. There may be slight spotting in the first few days as the baby implants. Any bleeding that requires a sanitary pad could be indicative of a miscarriage or pre-eclampsia.
If vaginal bleeding is accompanied by headaches, fever, abdominal pain, and cramping, it should be checked immediately. Bleeding accompanied by contractions is one of the high-risk pregnancy complications and should not be ignored whether you’re nearer your due date or not.
#3 High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is one of the common pregnancy problems that affects many pregnant mothers. A woman who never had a problem with blood pressure may suddenly develop high blood pressure during pregnancy. If you had a complication with pressure before getting pregnant, it would most likely worsen during pregnancy.
High blood pressure is dangerous, see a doctor immediately if you have a stubborn splitting headache, swelling on your face and hands, and blurred vision.
Solution
To control blood pressure during pregnancy, limit your salt intake. Take as much rest as you can, and follow your doctor’s recommendations.
3 Common Pregnancy Problems First Trimester
The first trimester comes with many discomforts, with the pregnant mom having to contend with tough first weeks until the clock hits three months. For some, it passes with no incidences or serious complications. Here are some of the few early pregnancy problems you can expect in the first trimester and their solutions.
#1 Nausea and Vomiting
Morning sickness characterized by nausea and vomiting is one of the most common pregnancy problems in the first trimester. For some, it’s so severe that they can’t hold anything down at all. For others, it’s not as bad, but it still causes significant discomfort. Some women experience morning sickness that is so severe that they get dehydrated.
Solution
There’s a medication that can be recommended for morning sickness, but it has to be prescribed by the doctor.
Sucking on a lemon seems to work for some women to keep nausea away. Try eating small frequent meals as opposed to one large meal at a time. This saves you from having a full feeling, which keeps sickness away.
Related article: Reasons why you should take folic acid in pregnancy
#2 Spotting
There’s bound to be slight spotting and light vaginal bleeding in the first few days as the baby implants. Somebody may even mistake it for menstrual flow if the pregnant woman isn’t aware that she has conceived already.
Normal spotting should be slight and not require a full sanitary pad. It should be easy to contain with a panty liner. Anything more than that becomes a medical emergency.
#3 Vaginal Discharge and Itching
If you have some discharge and itching in your hoohaa in the first few weeks, do not be alarmed. It’s common to almost all pregnant women, and it’s called ‘leukorrhea.’ The discharge comes as a result of the upsurge of hormones in the pregnant woman’s body, particularly estrogen.
The standard color of this discharge is clear to white, milky, or as a thin mucous. The discharge is either odorless or with a very mild odor.
Solution
If the discharge has a foul smell or is green or yellowish in color, it’s an indication of an infection and should be treated to prevent further complications
If the discharge is accompanied by itching or redness, it shows infection and should be treated as soon as possible. Get treated for any UTIs early to prevent them from affecting the pregnancy.
8 Common Pregnancy Problems and Solutions
Rarely will you find a pregnancy complication that seems to affect only one woman. Most of these health problems during pregnancy cut across almost all pregnant moms. These are the most common pregnancy problems and their solutions.
#1 Change in Your Sleep Patterns
Sometimes, sleep doesn’t seem to come regardless of how many sheep you count. Insomnia is a very annoying problem in early pregnancy that has many women battling crazy fatigue. On the other hand, some women can’t seem to keep their eyes open however hard they try. These two extremes are some of the problems of early pregnancy.
As with other pregnancy problems, these are primarily caused by a change in the body’s hormones. The fatigue is also a result of frequent urination that forces you to wake up frequently at night.
Related article: Sleep training tips for new moms
Solution
Do not take a nap during the day to make it easier to sleep during the night. Engage in activities that will sufficiently exhaust you to facilitate a good night’s sleep.
If you’re struggling with too much sleep, try sleeping early to prolong your sleeping hours. This helps you to wake up feeling refreshed and keeps you from dosing off in the middle of an important meeting at work.
#2 Dry Mouth
Pregnancy can leave you feeling like you chewed on a sponge, and it sucked all the moisture from your mouth. Many women experience a dry mouth at the onset of the second trimester of pregnancy. The change in hormones affects your oral health, causing dryness in your mouth.
Solution
Your body’s water needs also increase as the pregnancy progresses. If you’re not drinking enough water, it can leave you with a dry mouth and perpetual thirst. The taste buds’ change may have made you detest the taste of water, but you still need to hydrate.
If the water tastes like misery in your mouth, try infusing it with some fruit or vegetable slices. Oranges, lemons, or cucumber slices may change the taste of water to something more palatable. Eat watery fruits such as grapes and watermelons to keep you hydrated.
#3 Gas and Bloating
Pregnancy is synonymous with gassiness– where you find one; you’ll most likely hear of the other. The hormone progesterone is the major culprit where gassiness and bloating are concerned. Progesterone relaxes your body’s muscles and ligaments to accommodate the growing baby. Consequently, the stomach muscles are relaxed, causing digestion to slow down and subsequently causing gas.
Solution
Drink plenty of water to aid digestion. Eat lots of fruits and green leafy vegetables that are rich in fiber. Fibre helps in digestion and keeps you from bloating too much. Check on your meals and cut back on the ones known to cause bloating, such as beans and lentils.
Related article: Tips to burp a baby
#4 Constipation
Constipation and pregnancy are fraternal twins – they are born together, and where you find one, you’re most likely to find the other. The slowed-down bowels cause the food to back up, leading to constipation.
Solution
Eat meals that are high in fiber, such as vegetables and fruits. Avoid meals such as white rice and wheat products as they are likely to worsen constipation.
#5 Heartburn
Heartburn is one of the common pregnancy problems in the third trimester, although it starts early for some women. Heartburn is caused by hormonal changes as well as the stomach being pressed by the growing baby. It can be felt from week 27, although some women feel it earlier.
You’ll know you’re experiencing heartburn if you have a burning sensation at the top of your stomach right under the sternum. You will also always feel full and frequently belch, sometimes bringing up food when you do.
Solution
Take fewer meals frequently. Spread out your meals throughout the day as opposed to the typical three meals per day. When you’re too full, it increases the symptoms of heartburn. Avoid acidic foods such as pineapples and most citrus fruits.
Consume alkaline foods such as watermelons.
#6 Back Pain
Back pain is one of the most common pregnancy problems that starts in the early stages. The changes in the body include the loosening of the ligaments and the muscles. This puts a strain on the back, leading to pains, mostly on the lower back because of the loosened pelvic floor.
Solution
Change your posture and avoid slumping or stooping when you sit. Do not lift heavy objects; take frequent walks to relieve the strain on your back. Check your footwear and avoid flat shoes or high heels; instead, make sure that your shoes have a slight heel. If the back pain persists, see a physiotherapist or a masseuse. Massage eases the pain in the back and gives you relief.
#7 Stretch Marks
Weight gain in pregnancy is the primary cause of stretch marks in pregnancy. 80% of pregnant women will get stretch marks on their bellies, thighs, and stomachs as the baby expands.
Solution
Some women apply some special oils and butter to keep stretch marks away. Shea butter and cocoa butter may make the stretchmarks fade away faster. Stretchmarks need patience and will not go away as quickly as they appeared.
Find what works for you and use it on your skin, as long as it’s natural and free of harmful chemicals.
Also Read: 10 Best Home Remedies For Stretch Marks
#8 Haemorrhoids
This is one of the rare pregnancy problems affecting up to 50% of pregnant women. Hemorrhoids are extremely painful swollen veins in the anus and the rectum. They are common in the third trimester when the baby starts to put pressure on the veins.
The pain is worse during bowel movements.
Related article: Post-partum fitness routine
Solution
Avoid sitting for too long, and take brisk walks. Take a sitz bath by pacing warm water with salt or the recommended drug dissolved in it.
FAQs
- How can I take care of myself in early pregnancy?
The best way to take care of yourself in early pregnancy is to eat healthy foods, take prenatal vitamins, get enough rest, do light exercises, and listen to your body.
- When do most pregnancy complications start?
Most common pregnancy problems or complications start at weeks one and six because that’s the riskiest stage of pregnancy.
- How do you know if something is wrong in pregnancy?
You can know if something is wrong in pregnancy if you experience abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, reduced fetal movements, and unusual vaginal discharge.
- What are the red flags of pregnancy?
Some of the red flags of pregnancy include belly pain, reduced baby movements, fast heart rate, and severe morning sickness.
Conclusion
You need to take note of the 11 Common Pregnancy Problems and ensure that you religiously visit your gynecologist and follow all their recommendations to the last instructions. Some common pregnancy problems can be sorted out by simple bed rest or a pill that your doctor recommends.
Do not take over-the-counter medication for any symptom without your doctor’s approval. Some medicines may be contra-indicative for the baby and harmful to you. Which pregnancy complications have you experienced and how was it solved? Let us know in the comments.
Read Next:
- 10 Best Home Remedies For Stretch Marks
- 10 Best Pregnancy Stretch Marks Creams
- Reasons why you should take folic acid in pregnancy
- Pregnancy symptoms you should never ignore
