11 COMFORT TIPS DURING PREGNANCY

Getting pregnant may not be easy for some but being pregnant is not an easy journey either. In order to help you cope with the changes, here are some helpful pregnancy tips to make your pregnancy more comfortable.

1. For Morning Sickness

Nausea or vomiting more often known as “morning sickness” is often experienced by pregnant women. To minimize discomfort you can eat low sodium soda crackers in the morning. If you feel dizzy during the morning, try to eat a few crackers before getting up. Avoid hot, spicy and fatty foods as well. Make sure you eat 3 to 4 times a day. Don’t skip meals. Keep snack foods at hand in case you feel hunger pangs. Eat in between meals if needed. Avoid drinking too much fluid while eating.

You can also include lots of carbohydrates and protein to your diet. If you feel dizzy when you get up, get some time to rest. If you feel tired, get plenty of rest or it will make your nausea worse. Morning sickness usually lasts only during the first trimester of pregnancy.

2. Getting Tired Easily

Being pregnant may decrease your energy level. In order to avoid feeling tired easily, go to bed early and get at least 8 or more hours of sleep. You can rest during noon as well. If necessary lessen your activities during the day. Take short breaks from time to time if required. Do some exercise that are not strenuous like walking and stretching. If you are working, have a high energy low fat diet like fruits with yogurt or hard boiled egg. Ask others to help you; don’t try to accomplish everything on your own even if you are used to doing it before you got pregnant.

3. Back Pains during Pregnancy

You can keep your back in good shape by doing stretching and exercises. Don’t sit or stand for long. Move around and make sure you maintain a good posture when either sitting or standing. Bend your knees to support your back when you are lifting things.

4. For Constipation

When experiencing constipation, drink plenty of water. Add bran and high-fiber foods in your diet. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables. Exercise will also help. Avoid laxatives.

5. For Dizziness

You may feel continuous episodes of dizziness when you are pregnant. Your body is experiencing changes and one of its effects is queasiness. To deal with this, when you are lying, don’t get up in an abrupt motion. Also, try to move very slowly when moving up. Rest is very important. Drink plenty of water and fresh juices. Eat small meals (4 to 6) throughout the day to avoid the risk of dropping your blood sugar levels. During the last stages of pregnancy, avoid lying flat on your back. Lie on your side instead.

6. For Hemorrhoids

To avoid this, don’t sit or stand for long. If you are already experiencing hemorrhoids, take a warm bath shower or soak in warm water. However it is not advisable for a pregnant woman to take warm baths for long. 20 minutes or less is recommended.

7. For Heartburn

If you are experiencing shortness of breath and palpitations you may be experiencing heartburn. Avoid coffee, carbonated drinks, mints and chocolates. It is suggested that instead of eating 3 main meals per day (breakfast, lunch and dinner) you can take 4 to 6 small meals daily. Eat slowly and chew your food very carefully. Avoid eating spicy, fatty and “gassy” foods. You can keep crackers close at hand so you can eat a few crackers in between meals. After eating, don’t lie down immediately. If you would really want to rest, lie down with your upper body propped up.

8. For Varicose Veins

During pregnancy there is also a possibility that you may get varicose veins. You can avoid this by not standing or sitting for long in one place or position. Refrain from crossing your legs or ankles while sitting. Do a couple of stretches daily. During the night, put your feet and legs in an elevated position to relax your leg muscles.

9. For Swollen Feet and Hands

This is normal during pregnancy. But you can make yourself comfortable by avoiding hot environments. If possible elevate your feet every time you sit down. Drink plenty of water. If severe swelling is observed, consult your doctor.

10. For Rashes

Though getting rashes is uncommon during pregnancy, it may still occur in some cases. On the first sign of rash, inform your doctor immediately. Rashes during pregnancy will disappear after some time but some topical medications can also be applied. Antihistamine medications can also help to improve rashes but don’t take any medications without your doctor’s prescription.

11. For Leg Cramps

When feeling painful cramps on your legs, you can try to alleviate the pain by flexing your ankle and toes. Put hot compression to the affected area and massage gently to reduce the pain. You can avoid leg cramps by taking calcium tablets. Ask your doctor for what calcium tablets to take. Most doctor recommend calcium tablets with no phosphorous content.

The following tips provided a list of minor discomforts and how to deal with it. However, listed below are the following pregnancy symptoms that require immediate action and medical help:

Seek medical help when you are experiencing the following pregnancy symptoms:

1. Constant severe headaches
2. Blurred vision
3. Fainting
4. Inability to swallow food for 24 hours
5. Sudden and severe swelling, especially in the face
6. Unpleasant smell of vaginal discharge
7. Severe abdominal pain
8. Vaginal bleeding

For more information read Pregnancy Complications