Discomforts of Pregnancy

Physical and emotional changes are both very real in any pregnancy. Despite the changes of body shape and size, internally and externally there are also changes in metabolism and dramatic changes in hormonal levels.

While you can’t always see those changes with the naked eye it’s very obvious in other ways (mood, hunger levels, level of energy etc.).

It is crucial to listen to your body and pay attention to what it is trying to tell you (rest, eat, take vitamins, see a Dr)

Not all discomforts mentioned below are experienced by every pregnant woman. Only a few may be part of your pregnancy while others may never surface.

No two pregnancies are the same…while there are similarities between one pregnancy and another there will be very different challenges to each one.

If you have discomfort that does NOT go away or is seems to be very intense and unmanageable, call your physician immediately or call 911. Don’t try to wait it out!

Possible Discomforts:

1. Backaches
2. Breast Changes
3. Constipation
4. Hemorrhoids
5. Frequent Urination
6. Difficulty Sleeping
7. Fatigue
8. Headaches
9. Heartburn or Intestinal gas
10. Light-Headedness/Dizziness
11. Mood Changes/Mood Swings
12. Muscle Cramps (Leg Cramps)
13. Nausea / Vomiting/Morning Sickness
14. Pelvic Discomfort or Sciatica
15. Shortness of Breath
16. Stretch Marks
17. Congestion
18. Swelling
19. Vaginal Discharge/ Yeast Infections

Additional Information

Kegal Exercise

Kegel Muscles are the muscles inside the vaginal walls that help in holding back urine. Kegal Exercises help in tightening and releasing those muscles.

You can check yourself to see if you are doing these exercises appropriately by placing a finger in your vagina and squeezing around it with those muscles.

When you feel pressure around your finger, you are using the correct muscle. Kegel exercises target your pelvic floor muscles, helping to strengthen your urethra, bladder, uterus and rectum.

Pregnant women are encouraged to do kegels because strong pelvic floor muscles help make childbirth, specifically pushing, easier. Plus, the exercise can lower your chances of tears happening during labor.

During the postpartum period, doing kegels can aid in your healing from an episiotomy as well as prevent postpartum incontinence and tone in your stretched out vaginal muscles, thereby making sex better.

Episiotomy: a surgical cut made just before delivery in the muscular area between the vagina and the anus (the area called the perineum) to enlarge your vaginal opening