Health Problems During Pregnancy

What are the common health problems faced by women during pregnancy? Find information on health issues experienced during pregnancy and ways to cope with them. Every pregnancy has its own share of health issues. These health problems can be conditions that were already there in you or are developed later during the pregnancy. If one is pregnant with more than one foetus, or she has been through complications during her previous pregnancies, or she has suffered more than one miscarriage, or she is above 35 years of age, there can be some natural health problems. So, care must be taken to ensure that the health of the expectant mother and the unborn baby is good and considerably free from complications. Here are some common health problems during pregnancy: In this articleSkin and Hair IssuesCrampsDizzinessConstipationIncontinenceFrequent UrinationFeeling Uneasy or HotSkin and Hair Issues Most women incur skin and hair issues during pregnancy which is again attributed to hormonal changes. If you already have moles or freckles, they might darken and you can develop new dark patches all over your skin. These are temporary changes that go away gradually after delivery. Similarly, there can be changes in the texture of your hair, they can appear oily, or you might experience hair fall. You can deal with these issues by seeking the advice of a dermatologist. Cramps Cramps are characterised by sudden sharp pains that are felt in the calf muscles or feet, and is commonly felt during the night when you are pregnant. The precise cause of the cramps is not yet known, but it has been observed that cramps can be better managed when you are following a regular physical activity regimen and while sleeping if you place your feet a little higher than your body, like on a pillow, it also helps a lot. Make sure that you do some ankle and leg movements so as to improve circulation, which in turn is found to reduce the pain in cramps. Dizziness Dizziness is a common pregnancy problem, which is mainly attributed to hormonal changes. Besides, if your body is not having a good circulation, that is, if there is a lack of sufficient oxygen in some parts of your body, it can make you feel faint. This feeling is also experienced if you get up from a sitting position suddenly, or when you are just out after taking a warm bath. It is therefore advised that one must make slow and not sudden movements. If you feel dizzy when you are standing, try to get seated as soon as possible, so that you do not have the risk of falling down and hurting yourself or the baby. Constipation Just during the first trimester itself women suffer from constipation. This is actually caused by the hormonal changes happening in your system. Constipation is characterised by additional strain while passing stools or you are unable to empty your bowels along with irregular bowel movements. This can be avoided by including lots of fibre in your diet, like whole grain cereals, grains, pulses, legumes, lots of fruits and vegetables. Constipation can also be dealt with by drinking lots of water, and following a regular workout regimen so that you are not stagnant on the physical activity front. Sometimes, iron supplements can cause constipation, so report to your doctor if you feel so. Incontinence This is another health issue that is experienced during and after pregnancy. Sudden movements, coughing, sneezing and even laughing can cause a small leak in urine. This is a temporary condition caused by the laxity in the pelvic floor muscles. It is thus advised to practice a Kegel exercise that is pulling in of the vaginal muscles so as to tighten them. During pregnancy, this condition of laxity in the muscles happens so as to ease the baby for delivery. Frequent Urination This is a pregnancy issue as you feel like passing urine quite often during the day and night. Need for urinating frequently developed as the baby is pressing down on your bladder. This is a natural condition and you can simply take measures that you do not reduce your fluid intake due to this, as remaining hydrated is more vital during pregnancy. But try to take in less fluids just during and before bedtime, so that your sleep is relatively undisturbed by frequent visits to the bathroom. Feeling Uneasy or Hot Pregnancy makes a woman feel warmer than usual. This is caused by hormonal changes and so it is recommended to wear comfortable loose clothing, preferable wearing clothing that has layers, so that you can remove one with ease, whenever you are feeling hot. Wear natural fibres and try to stay in a cool environment. Finally, there can be a host of other health issues experienced during pregnancy, like the development of varicose veins, gestational diabetes, rise in blood pressure and susceptibility to certain infections. And it is always advisable to report every change that you notice in your body and follow the advice related to tests, medications and lifestyle changes as suggested by the physician.

What are the common health problems faced by women during pregnancy? Find information on health issues experienced during pregnancy and ways to cope with them.

Every pregnancy has its own share of health issues. These health problems can be conditions that were already there in you or are developed later during the pregnancy. If one is pregnant with more than one foetus, or she has been through complications during her previous pregnancies, or she has suffered more than one miscarriage, or she is above 35 years of age, there can be some natural health problems. So, care must be taken to ensure that the health of the expectant mother and the unborn baby is good and considerably free from complications. Here are some common health problems during pregnancy:

Skin and Hair Issues

Most women incur skin and hair issues during pregnancy which is again attributed to hormonal changes. If you already have moles or freckles, they might darken and you can develop new dark patches all over your skin. These are temporary changes that go away gradually after delivery. Similarly, there can be changes in the texture of your hair, they can appear oily, or you might experience hair fall. You can deal with these issues by seeking the advice of a dermatologist.

Cramps

Cramps are characterised by sudden sharp pains that are felt in the calf muscles or feet, and is commonly felt during the night when you are pregnant. The precise cause of the cramps is not yet known, but it has been observed that cramps can be better managed when you are following a regular physical activity regimen and while sleeping if you place your feet a little higher than your body, like on a pillow, it also helps a lot. Make sure that you do some ankle and leg movements so as to improve circulation, which in turn is found to reduce the pain in cramps.

Dizziness

Dizziness is a common pregnancy problem, which is mainly attributed to hormonal changes. Besides, if your body is not having a good circulation, that is, if there is a lack of sufficient oxygen in some parts of your body, it can make you feel faint. This feeling is also experienced if you get up from a sitting position suddenly, or when you are just out after taking a warm bath. It is therefore advised that one must make slow and not sudden movements. If you feel dizzy when you are standing, try to get seated as soon as possible, so that you do not have the risk of falling down and hurting yourself or the baby.

Constipation

Just during the first trimester itself women suffer from constipation. This is actually caused by the hormonal changes happening in your system. Constipation is characterised by additional strain while passing stools or you are unable to empty your bowels along with irregular bowel movements. This can be avoided by including lots of fibre in your diet, like whole grain cereals, grains, pulses, legumes, lots of fruits and vegetables. Constipation can also be dealt with by drinking lots of water, and following a regular workout regimen so that you are not stagnant on the physical activity front. Sometimes, iron supplements can cause constipation, so report to your doctor if you feel so.

Incontinence

This is another health issue that is experienced during and after pregnancy. Sudden movements, coughing, sneezing and even laughing can cause a small leak in urine. This is a temporary condition caused by the laxity in the pelvic floor muscles. It is thus advised to practice a Kegel exercise that is pulling in of the vaginal muscles so as to tighten them. During pregnancy, this condition of laxity in the muscles happens so as to ease the baby for delivery.

Frequent Urination

This is a pregnancy issue as you feel like passing urine quite often during the day and night. Need for urinating frequently developed as the baby is pressing down on your bladder. This is a natural condition and you can simply take measures that you do not reduce your fluid intake due to this, as remaining hydrated is more vital during pregnancy. But try to take in less fluids just during and before bedtime, so that your sleep is relatively undisturbed by frequent visits to the bathroom.

Feeling Uneasy or Hot

Pregnancy makes a woman feel warmer than usual. This is caused by hormonal changes and so it is recommended to wear comfortable loose clothing, preferable wearing clothing that has layers, so that you can remove one with ease, whenever you are feeling hot. Wear natural fibres and try to stay in a cool environment.

Finally, there can be a host of other health issues experienced during pregnancy, like the development of varicose veins, gestational diabetes, rise in blood pressure and susceptibility to certain infections. And it is always advisable to report every change that you notice in your body and follow the advice related to tests, medications and lifestyle changes as suggested by the physician.